5:44 PM ET
Andrew LopezESPN
San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich was asked prior to Tuesday afternoons video game what he would tell someone if they told him a month ago that his group could go 6-2 in the NBAs restart and possibly make the playoffs.
” I would have had them drug-tested,” Popovich deadpanned.
San Antonio was missing out on three beginners to injury heading into Orlando– LaMarcus Aldridge, Trey Lyles and Bryn Forbes– and was preparing on reducing the minutes of Patty Mills in order to concentrate on development.
After Tuesdays 123-105 win over the Houston Rockets, San Antonio has won 5 of 7 video games in the bubble and might make the play-in video game in the Western Conference with some help from other groups– something Popovich stated prior to the video game would be “icing on the cake.”
” You have to be practical. I dont believe our possibilities of winning a championship were terrific at the start of this nor are they now,” Popovich said prior to the game. “If thats a fact, then you require to do everything you can to be and develop prepared for next season.
” With the 3 starters out, sitting Patty made good sense. The advancement has actually been off the charts. Were delighted with it. Its a win-win, no matter what. … But weve currently accomplished what we thought we were capable of accomplishing. Thats whats crucial.”
1 RelatedWithout Aldridge or Lyles, San Antonio chose to choose a four-guard starting lineup featuring Derrick White, Dejounte Murray, Lonnie Walker and DeMar DeRozan alongside Jakob Poeltl.
Walker, who had 12 points and 7 rebounds against Houston, said he felt the group has actually come together in Orlando.
” Coming into the bubble and playing together, not just on the court however practice-wise, our intensity in practice has actually been fantastic,” Walker said. “Since Ive been here, its never seemed like this as far as going up and down and being aggressive and having that intensity regularly. Its been great to have great vibes and whatever is really transitioning onto the court.”
Popovich stated development was going to be crucial– and that has actually shown itself with novice guard Keldon Johnson, who invested the majority of the season in the G League and played just 9 games with San Antonio prior to the hiatus.
I dont think our chances of winning a championship were fantastic at the start of this nor are they now,” Popovich said before the video game.” With the three beginners out, sitting Patty made sense.” Coming into the bubble and playing together, not simply on the court but practice-wise, our intensity in practice has been incredible,” Walker stated. “Since Ive been here, its never ever felt like this as far as going up and down and being aggressive and having that intensity regularly.” Hes a high-energy man who is extremely physical,” Popovich stated of Johnson.
In those 9 video games, Johnson balanced 4.6 points and 1.9 rebounds per video game. In 7 games in Orlando, Johnson is averaging 12.7 points and 5.4 rebounds while shooting 63.0% from the field and going 10-of-14 (71.4%) from deep.
Johnson had a career-high 24 points and 11 rebounds against Houston.
” Hes a high-energy man who is really physical,” Popovich said of Johnson. “Hes very competitive, really coachable. Hes just a winner.”
DeRozan, who leads the group in points per game (21.7) and helps per game (5.7 ), said he felt like San Antonio could put itself in position for a playoff berth as quickly as the NBA announced 22 teams were coming to the bubble.
” Just us having an opportunity to be here; thats all we required,” DeRozan stated. “For me, as quickly as I saw our name and we had the chance, no matter the portions people making it or whatever, I still believed that we d be right here where were at.”
