Goodbye For Now, San Antonio
The Golden State Warriors held off a late push by the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday night and in the process put them not only out of the playoffs but perhaps out of the NBA’s upper echelon of contenders.
The Warriors won 99-91, and in doing so clinched this Western Conference first-round series in five games. They did it without Seth Curry, and they did it in a way that exposed every crack in the magnificent structure that has been the Spurs.
Crisp passes on baseline cuts caught the Spurs flat-footed. The Spurs couldn’t get to loose balls. Through three quarters they did not score a single point off the fast break (the Warriors got 19). And, for the third straight game, they were without coach Gregg Popovich, grieving the loss last week of his wife Erin to a lengthy illness.
Time catches up with every team. After 21 consecutive seasons in the playoffs and five NBA titles, it could be the Spurs’ turn to find a way to rebuild.
Popovich, 69, might come back for a 23rd season. But he’ll also be coaching the United States Olympic team in 2020 and may, after his wife’s death, rethink the NBA and its grueling demands.
For a number of the players? Well, it’s either should they or could they return?
The injured Kawhi Leonard ought to be a priority, but he seems aggrieved about issues beyond that problematic quadriceps. He’s an All-Star forward and the Spurs are better with him.
Guard Tony Parker? He’s 35. Forward Manu Ginobili? He’s 40. Pau Gasol, who can play center as well as forward? He’s 37.
The Spurs had a fabulous run, through the Tim Duncan-David Robinson years and a stretch of three titles in five seasons. That’s what comes to mind when we think of the Spurs.
Thanks for the memories.
Post By: Larry Weisman, a longtime sportswriter for USA TODAY, blogs for Twistity.com. Follow him on Twitter @MrLarryWeisman
-
Manchester City Brings it Home with a 3-1 Victory! Following Manchester City’s impressive 3-1 victory over FC Copenhagen in...
-
Murray’s New Goals Before Retirement Andy Murray, the renowned British tennis player and three-time Grand Slam champion, has shared...
-
Kylian Mbappe led Paris Saint-Germain to a resounding 2-0 victory over Real Sociedad in the first leg of their...
-
Klopp acknowledges defensive flaws as Liverpool suffers unexpected defeat against Arsenal. Following Liverpool’s unexpected defeat against Arsenal, manager Jurgen...
-
Ryan Mendes’ Heroic Penalty: Captain Leads Cape Verde to Victory In a historic moment for Cape Verde, the national...
-
Probe Raises Questions About PSG’s 2017 Deal and Political Involvement. French authorities have launched an investigation into allegations...
-
As Ireland faces a back-three injury crisis ahead of the Six Nations, some players have an opportunity to step...
-
16-year-old Luke Littler Makes History as the Youngest Player to Join the Prestigious Premier League Darts Luke Littler, the...
-
Get ready for the electric thrill! In a groundbreaking move, Formula E announces its exclusive broadcasting partnership with TNT...
-
Captain Kohli’s Record-Equalling Century Lights Up World Cup Match Against South Africa. On the occasion of his 35th birthday,...
-
All-Rounder Stokes Aims for Recovery Ahead of Upcoming India Test Series England Test captain Ben Stokes has announced that...
-
NBA Star Penalized for Inappropriate Gesture During Victory Over Trail Blazers Philadelphia 76ers’ star center, Joel Embiid, has been...