Western Conference Mid-Season Report Card
 

Western Conference Mid-Season Report Card

(by playoff seeding)

http://img845.imageshack.us/img845/8840/manutonytim.jpg

Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker and Tim Duncan Image
San Antonio Spurs

Mid-Season Grade: A
Record & Conference Standing: 42-12, 1st

The Good: Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili & Tim Duncan should be well rested & healthy heading into the playoffs. Their supporting cast continues to improve and gain experience.

The Bad: The Spurs are always strong in the regular season. It is unclear if they have enough to win a series against the top teams.

What to watch for: Better play against other Western contenders and nail down a rotation with Ginobili, Duncan and Parker playing more consistent minutes.

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Giving the Spurs an A for that portion of the season is appropriate. I think they have accomplished what they set out to do to THIS point. Now that the Rodeo Road Trip is over and the schedule tones down, I expect, or at least hope, to see something different that would boost my confidence in the Spur's chances in the playoffs:

Mills and DeColo getting more assists rather than depending on Manu when Tony Parker and Gary Neil are sitting. They will need those assists in the playoffs.

Aron Baynes subbing rather than Bonner. They will need those rebounds, blocks and big body under certain matchups that Bonner can't provide.

Blair getting more minutes. Sometimes he comes in handy as a sparkplug off the bench and he needs some minutes to be tuned up.

I'm not concerned about Stephen Jackson. I think his game will come together before the playoffs based on his own veteran work ethic and time to heal.

I think Mombear only linked the article because it said that Scola was doing well :)

Of course, that was all the way at the bottom. Where the PHX Suns now reside in the Western Conference.

:lol