| The Younger Spurs Are Emerging |
| Written by David Rountree |
| Tuesday, 17 January 2012 08:02 |
 The Spurs have been a team known for their veteran leadership and this has led to their image of being an “old” team. Although the Spurs’ stars Ginobili and Duncan have slowed down a bit, this team has more young talent than the average NBA fan gives them credit for.The Spurs rookie Kawhi Leonard has been starting in place of the injured Ginobili and has been a spark for Spurs. Leonard who was drafted 15th in the draft has made an immediate impact as an on-ball defender. He possesses a strong tenacity on the defensive end that the Spurs coaching staff admires. Leonard is averaging about 14 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 steals in the last three Spur wins. Also starting for the Spurs is bigman Dejuan Blair. He is an undersized power forward/center, but what he lacks in size he makes up in energy and effort. Blair came into the season in better shape and regained his starting position after tailing off a bit at the end of last season. He has added to his offensive game by utilizing his bulky size better and because of this he is averaging a solid 11 points per game. Look for Blair to continue to find unique ways to score and be effective around the basket this season. The team is also has second year guard/forward Danny Green providing scoring off the bench. He brings to the team some athleticism that they sorely need and he has also showed that he can knock down shots beyond the arc. He is shooting a blazing 47 percent from the three- point line so far this season. The Spurs offense is based heavily on the effectiveness of three-point shooting and because of this Green has found his role. Also coming off the bench is center Tiago Splitter and he may be the most important young player on the team. Splitter brings an element that a coach cannot teach and that is his 7-foot frame. The Spurs have been in desperate search for a bigman that could assist Duncan in the post on offense and particularly the defensive end of the floor—they may have found him. Last season as a rookie, Splitter was all but lost in the new system, but this year his movements are quicker and more potent. He is showing confidence in the post on offense and he is altering the shots of opposing teams defensively. His development is crucial to the Spurs going deep in the playoffs; they need him to continue to remedy their defensive woes around the basket. The San Antonio Spurs are a team with veterans but they also have a healthy balance of youth as well. This is a team that had the best record in the Western Conference a year ago and is off to a solid start this season. So the image of them being purely an “old “team has been a bit exaggerated. Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites            Comments
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With him down because of the broken finger, then yes, the young spurs need to emerge. But I won´t say it´s accurate to say he slowed down whatsoever