Spurs’ Struggles
The San Antonio Spurs started the season looking like the San Antonio Spurs of late. That is to say, well-coached, with great chemistry, and a few talented guys, looking like a low-seed playoff contender. They started the season 4-1, with their only loss being a single-digit affair in LA against the championship favourite Los Angeles Clippers. They maintained that strong play to 5-3, their other losses coming against the Los Angeles Lakers and Atlanta Hawks. Both single-digit losses, the Spurs looked good to start. Then they dropped eight straight games against the likes of the Washington Wizards and Memphis Grizzlies. DeMar DeRozan and LaMarcus Aldridge aren’t the problem.
So far this season, DeRozan has been averaging 22.2 points and 5.3 rebounds per game while shooting 53.3% from the field using his signature midrange style. Aldridge has been giving the Spurs 18.8 points and 6.7 boards on 52.3% shooting from the field in his age 34 season. Despite solid numbers from both guys, the Spurs are sitting at 6-12 on the season. As the media darling that he is, head coach Gregg Popovich dismissed the concerns about his team in this interview:
Got to give Gregg Popovich credit. Even though his #Spurs are on a 7-game slide, he’s still got a sense of humor. pic.twitter.com/73mOwJ97TB
— Dave Uram (@MrUram) November 22, 2019
It’s early on in the season — much too early to count out the Spurs just yet. And we’ve learned our lesson as NBA fans — never count out a team coached by Gregg Popovich. Since losing Kawhi Leonard, the Spurs have looked shaky as playoff contenders. However, the Spurs continue to make it to the playoffs, and continue to impress (last season they pushed the second-seed Denver Nuggets to seven games in the first round). However, this season might just be the season that the Spurs’ 22-year playoff streak ends. There are Popovich retirement rumors. There are trade rumors surrounding some of the top Spurs’ players. The fans think it might be time to blow it up and rebuild.
DeMar DeRozan Clears Instagram
One such trade rumour involves second-year Spur and Popovich’s go-to guy in DeMar DeRozan. If the Spurs do make the playoffs, they won’t be a threat to make a deep push. At this point, it could be time to start rebuilding. So, holding on to a guy like DeMar DeRozan doesn’t make much sense. It could be time for the Spurs to move their veteran core and find some young pieces and draft picks to reboot for the future. Further fuel for belief that DeRozan will be traded soon came when fans noticed that his Instagram account was wiped. That move is reminiscent of the time leading up to his trade from the Toronto Raptors for Leonard, when DeRozan did the same thing. It could be nothing… but it also could be a key notice that DeRozan has been notified of his trade or a potential trade coming up.
A change of scenery could be good for DeRozan though, who is looking to find a new home since being traded from the Raptors.
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