It has been 22 years since the last time the San Antonio Spurs missed the playoffs. The last time they did, the team did not have Tim Duncan. Duncan is now an assistant coach for the team, and he might see that streak end this season.
July 31st vs. Sacramento Kings: Loss
DeMar Derozan and LaMarcus Aldridge are two great players. However, their play styles do not compliment one another. They both love to shoot mid-range jump shots, and in this era of the NBA that is the least efficient way to score. Aldridge had started to take more threes right before the season was abruptly halted, but his efficiency was not up to par.
August 2nd vs. Memphis Grizzlies: Loss
Over the past two decades under Greg Popovich, the Spurs have been a great defensive team. Though their defensive numbers have dipped since Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili left the team, the Spurs have shown they are capable of handling elite scorers. It’s the offense that is worrisome. Morant will be tough to guard, and that leaves Derrick White and DeJounte Murray dealing with him while the veterans run the offense.
August 3rd vs. Philadelphia 76ers: Loss
This will be the game in which the Spurs lose all hope of making the playoffs. A win would save their season, but a loss would completely derail it. Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons should have their way against San Antonio’s small lineup. Both 76ers stars will decide the Spurs’ fate.
August 5th vs. Denver Nuggets: Loss
Many believe that the Spurs will make the playoffs, but their chances are slim with all of the talented rosters throughout the Western Conference. Their star players are on the tail end of their primes, and the team would have to face the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the playoffs even if they did sneak in. Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray will be too much for the Spurs to handle here.
August 7th vs. Utah Jazz: Win
The Spurs will not go winless during this restart. Rather, they will take advantage of the Jazz here and steal a confidence-booster of a win. This victory could be a small departing gift to the Western conference because it could shake up the standings.
August 9th vs. New Orleans Pelicans: Win
Some wins come in two’s, and Greg Popovich will be determined to end up with a respectable record in the bubble. Popovich and company will pick on the West’s younger teams and dominate them by using their experience to their advantage.
August 11th vs. Houston Rockets: Loss
The Rockets are not a young team, they’re quite the opposite, actually. Their opponent has already clinched the playoffs and could take it easy here, but Harden will want a championship more than the Spurs will want to make the playoffs.
August 13th vs. Utah Jazz: Loss
The Jazz will want to make sure they keep home court advantage in the playoffs, so they’ll do their best to win this game. Donovan Mitchell has a lot to prove, seeing as his past two seasons have been cut short in the playoffs. This game could also be the last time the Spurs have a playoff-caliber roster for a few years.
The San Antonio Spurs will finish their time in the bubble with a 2-6 record, and they’ll miss the playoffs for the first time since 1997. But that isn’t the worst outcome, because it will give them a chance to draft some young talent in the lottery. At the same time, the missed opportunity could indicate that Popovich will retire soon.
