Since Duncan, Parker, and Ginobili have retired, the Spurs' presence has become lower and lower.
After all, compared to team basketball, today's young fans prefer teams with superstars; they are more willing to watch the fast-paced small ball play than the one-on-one half-court attack.
Although the Spurs are well aware of their situation, to this day, they have no intention of changing, averaging 31.1 three-point shots per game, still one of the league's fewest three teams.
There is no need to criticize and accuse, because this is the Spurs, in the past twenty years, they have always been like this, no matter how the times change, no matter what kind of strange moves the opponent makes, they will always play cards in their own way, never follow the tide, will not pursue super giants, will not swing for high signings, and will not sacrifice the interests of others for the cultivation of new people, although these years, the Spurs in addition to Leonard, have not cultivated a decent star, but their way of playing, but a lot of role players, as well as veterans, Especially these 3, if there is no Spurs baptism, the career may have ended a long time ago.
Extend his career – Aldridge
In the 2015 offseason, the reason why the 30-year-old Aldridge chose to join the Spurs, on the one hand, is to hope to win the championship, on the other hand, to imagine Duncan, with a super long career, although the plan to win the championship failed, but the career extension of this thing, the Spurs helped him to do, here, Aldridge can get strict playing time protection, as well as scientific, rigorous training methods, 4 seasons down, almost no injury, 34 years old, He still averaged a record of 21.3 points and 9.2 rebounds per game and was named an All-Star.
To this day, the 37-year-old Aldridge can still maintain a good competitive state, with 61.5% true shooting rate, 13.6 points, plus 5.5 rebounds, as long as his health allows (heart problems), he is entirely like Duncan, playing to the age of 40.
Save the genius – Rudy Guy
Guy is one of the most physically gifted flanks in NBA history, not only has a good proportion of body, but also has good athletic ability, as well as technical and feel, the second year of his career, the average per game can reach 20+, but unfortunately, Guy is too unlucky, did not join a good team, nor has he cooperated with an excellent coach, whether it is the Grizzlies, Raptors, or the Kings, they will only let Guy do one thing, that is, non-stop singles, scoring, singles, scoring, never asked him to simplify the offense, optimize the choice of shots, Increase efficiency, strengthen defense, and more.
It wasn't until he joined the Spurs at the age of 31 that he really understood the sport of basketball, Popovich would not give unlimited firing rights, what he taught Guy was how to read the opponent's defense, make reasonable shooting choices, the second year of cooperation between the two sides, Gay refreshed the true shooting rate of his career, not only that, his defense also reached the elite level, and the true defensive plus-minus value ranked in the top 3 in the same position.
Today, despite The Guy's 36-year-old and leaving San Antonio, he is still extremely efficient and defensive at his new home, Salt Lake City, and is a perfect puzzle piece for the title.
Self-redemption – Demar DeRozan
If DeRozan is sent to other teams by the Raptors, then his future career will be basically like this, no three-point ability, not good at organization, defense is very general, coupled with the age of the establishment, which team will give DeRozan the opportunity to come back, or transform?
Only the Spurs and Popovich, in the 3 years here, although DeRozan was far from the spotlight and never been selected as an All-Star again, but because of this, he had time to think, of course, Popovich also taught DeRozan a lot, and gradually transformed him from a ball-carrying scorer to a ball-holding organizer, in the 18-19 season, DeRozan averaged 6.2 assists per game, higher than Rubio, Curry, Dragic and other defenders.
Today, although DeRozan has left the Spurs, after 3 years of growth and accumulation, he has completely transformed into a first-class scorer, averaging the second highest points in his career per game, shooting nearly 50%, not only that, at the critical moment, DeRozan will no longer hesitate as before, as of now, he can average 3.9 points per game in key moments, the fourth highest in the league, and the shooting rate is also as high as 51.1%.
This is the Spurs, maybe their team culture, it is difficult to have another brilliant day, but they are still insisting, guarding the last pure land of the NBA, silently cultivating, silently sending a batch of excellent talents to this league.