NBA Playoffs 2012: Spurs Bench Key to Championship Aspirations
The San Antonio Spurs have 11 players who played 10-plus minutes per game this season. Of those players, 10 of them averaged at least five points per contest.
To put it simply, the Spurs bench is the key to their championship dreams. It separates them from every remaining playoff team because of its size and productivity.
Sometimes coaches like to cut down their rotation when the playoffs roll around. Gregg Popovich is not one of those people.
The Spurs are still playing 10 guys at least 10 minutes per night. San Antonio's age is negated by this and their experience is able to shine through.
San Antonio brings quality scorers off the bench in Stephen Jackson, Gary Neal and Tiago Splitter. Not to mention veteran shooting guard, Manu Ginobili.
All of these players average at least seven points per game with Ginobili averaging a little over 11 per contest.
Let's take a look at San Antonio's bench compared to their biggest title threats, Miami and Oklahoma City.
The Spurs will face the Thunder in the Western Conference finals barring an unforeseen change in attitude from the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Thunder's bench receives a major boost from the 2012 Sixth Man of the Year, James Harden. Harden is a legitimate threat to score 20 points every night. He comes off the bench but is essentially a sixth starter at this point.
Oklahoma City brings the likes of Daequan Cook off the bench in the backcourt. Nazr Mohammed, Cole Aldrich and Nick Collison relieve Kendrick Perkins and Serge Ibaka in the frontcourt.
The Thunder do not have the quality bench San Antonio has. Kevin Durant does not have a reliable backup and either does Russell Westbrook. Most of the time these two do not need subs but situations change against tougher teams.
The Spurs will win the bench battle against the Thunder. They bring quality players off the bench at every position.
The Spurs are facing a potential matchup with the Miami Heat in the 2012 NBA Finals.
Miami's bench needs to play a more important role with Chris Bosh's injury. However, they are not loaded with skilled reserve players.
The Heat started Ronny Turiaf in Game 2 against the Pacers, but he is a bench quality player. He and Joel Anthony are the Heat's sole frontcourt options off the bench.
Neither are very skilled, but provide some athleticism.
Mike Miller and Shane Battier add depth on the wing. Both play good defense and are quality perimeter scorers.
Other than that, the Heat bring Norris Cole, James Jones and occasionally Juwan Howard off their bench in certain situations.
Miami is largely a three-man show, or a two-man show with Bosh's currently ailing. Their bench does not need to play a huge role when everything is going according to planned.
San Antonio's methodical approach will slow down Miami's starters. When the series turns into a bench battle the Spurs depth will take over.
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