Originally posted by dobophile:
So the Spurs are on a 5 game win streak, albeit against relatively weak competition. It's going to take awhile before I can even begin to judge this team. They need time to gel.
By my count, there are 6 new players on this team: RJ, Blair, Bogans, Ratliff, McDyess, and Haislip. Hairston is basically new, so maybe that number is 7. Four of those guys---RJ, Blair, Bogans, and McDyess---will be expected to make significant contributions come playoff time. George Hill, too. So Pop needs to be tinkering and constantly reevaluating rotations for the next several weeks, at least.
On any given night, you can expect any of the following to occur: ugly wins, spectacular losses, high scores, low scores, atrocious team defense, amazing team defense, 3 point shooting clinics by Bonner-Mason-Finley, 3 point shooting disasters by Bonner-Mason-Finley, and the occasional high-flying "dunk shots" by one of the newcomers (much to Pop's dismay). The Spurs are a schizophrenic team, and it will take time for that to change. I can't wait until the Rodeo Road Trip.
5 game win streak is nice but their record on the road is piss poor. Inconsistency is one thing but when that inconsistency means wins against weak opponents and losses against strong opponents or losses on the road and wins at home means they suck and are now a developing team.
The phases of development:
1. unpredictable wins and losses
2. majority of wins at home
3. majority of wins at home and .500 road record
4. majority of wins everywhere
5. Championship
We have a long way to go before The Spurs are to be taken as serious contendors.