As the NBA evolves towards a game dominated by 'shorter' players, the Spurs coach is betting on a fearsome interior rotation: Duncan, Aldridge, Diaw, Bargnani, and Marjanovic.
Speed and three-pointers. The NBA evolves every year
and in these times of big contracts, lights and spectacle, it is the little guys who take the lead. The Suns of Steve Nash and company may have been the pioneers, but it is the Warriors of Stephen Curry who have taken the 'small ball' trend to the championship.
The literal disappearance of Bogut during the past Finals, signed by Steve Kerr, ended with the ring on its way to Oakland, and with it the fast-paced style of play in which the seven feet tall players have no place. It was not too long ago when both O'Neal and Gasol were making incredible plays and winning titles. But after them, aside from the always important Tim Duncan (even if he is only 6'11"), the game of the best league in the world inevitably leans towards those crazy little guys. However, there are still those who believe that the powerful 'big man' who has dominated the sport of basketball for decades still holds a crucial importance.
Gregg Popovich is not satisfied with the five championship rings that he could have on any given day. The genius who has been at the helm of the San Antonio Spurs for 19 seasons still has one more gear, and this time his secret could be in the paint. Against the current.
Tiago Splitter (Hawks) left, and so did Aron Baynes (Pistons), but the arrival of LaMarcus Aldridge, one of the best power forwards in the league, already predicted a methodical plan that was beginning to take shape. After him, a veteran who was willing to forgo more than 10 million dollars to play with the Spurs, David West, arrived, as well as a giant 7'3" player who found European basketball too small for him, Boban Marjanovic. And let's not forget the usual suspects: Tim Duncan and Boris Diaw complete and lead an interior rotation that has been rarely seen in the league.
While teams like the Pacers are getting rid of their 'towers' and thinking about playing former shooting guards at the power forward position (Paul George), Popovich will put a lot of weight in the paint. Weight with a lot of class.
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