Power Ranking Every Key San Antonio Spurs Player Before Season's End
With a 10-game win streak under their belts as well as the league's best record, the San Antonio Spurs are in a very familiar position.
As the regular season draws to a close, the veteran squad is preparing to translate its regular-season success into the playoffs, where it will again compete for a championship.
But in order for San Antonio to capture that coveted fifth title, its individual players will need to thrive continuously, regardless of how big the stage gets.
Of course, the components that form this well-oiled machine have hardly shown any long-lasting signs of weakness and actually appear to be growing stronger as the season progresses.
With the most important part of the season ahead, it is once again time to evaluate the talented players who ensure that the Spurs' system remains without parallel.
10. Aron Baynes
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Thanks to a small injury to Jeff Ayres and an overall increase in playing time, San Antonio's resident gladiator has cracked his team's top 10 for the first time this season.
Raw as he may be, Aron Baynes' physical tools have earned him a roster spot, and his pure physique guarantees that he'll certainly be noticed during the limited instances in which his number is called.
During the month of March, the former rugby player has averaged nearly 10 minutes, contributing 3.9 points and 2.4 rebounds per game as well as a whole lot of physical damage.
Baynes still remains buried in a deep San Antonio lineup, but it's reassuring to see that he can produce when asked, should the team ever require his size and strength in the postseason.
T-8. Marco Belinelli
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Marco Belinelli has cooled down as of late, shooting a mere 26 percent from deep and 42 percent from the floor during the month of March.
Nevertheless, his prior production cannot be ignored.
Belinelli integrated into the San Antonio system with ease, distributing with flair while shooting and driving with a veteran's confidence.
As a mini-Manu, the team's top offseason acquisition has found his ideal fit, and while he may have taken his foot off the gas pedal during these last few games, don't be surprised if he begins accelerating once the stars begin resting and the spotlight shines his way.
T-8. Danny Green
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Rounding out a two-way tie for eighth place is Danny Green, who—despite not beginning the season as hot as Belinelli—has emerged as one of the team's most dangerous, if volatile, players.
Depending on the night, Green is either a perimeter weapon or a complete offensive liability, a trend that has accompanied him throughout his short career. Fortunately, since his return from injury, Green's production has fallen in line with the former description.
The month of March has been kind to the guard, who has totaled a monthly plus-minus of plus-11.8. Additionally, his three-point percentage surpassed the 50 percent mark, and his scoring total cleared the double-digit plateau despite limited playing time.
And of course, his defense remains top-notch.
If this offensive resurgence continues into the playoffs, the opposition will have a difficult time finding any weak link to attack.
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7. Patty Mills
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On any other team, Patty Mills' improvement would have garnered a lot more attention.
That said, the Aussie did recently capture national attention for reasons other than his towel-waving expertise.
Early in February, Mills lit up opponent after opponent as he made the month one to remember:
"Patty Mills' PER is 31.7 this month, one point higher than Kevin Durant's season mark (30.7). h/t @RealGM
—Quixem Ramirez (@quixem) February 21, 2014"
March has been a bit humbling, though, as the red-hot Mills began his descent back towards Earth. Averaging single digits on 40.6 percent shooting on the month, his reign of terror ended rather abruptly. There's no doubt that he remains a valuable contributor, but in a backcourt that is overflowing with options his usage is rather incongruous with his production.
Fortunately, Mills' evidently versatile repertoire is promising, given that a veteran team like San Antonio will turn towards its depth quite often during the season's final stretch.
6. Tiago Splitter
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Tiago Splitter has become the team's most inconspicuously valuable player.
Aside from Tim Duncan and Splitter, the squad is completely devoid of any reliable seven-foot talent. While Duncan's value is well documented, people are quick to overlook Splitter as a source of two-way production.
If any opposing teams choose to do this over the next few months...well, let's say they'll be in for a rude awakening.
Splitter has not only emerged as a defensive bulwark but has made significant strides on the offensive end—as he continues to do every season.
Recently he has been a large component in the Spurs' unrelenting success, contributing with a team-leading March plus-minus of plus-12.1.
Not to mention, his rim defense remains pristine.
Once his playing time skyrockets so will his numbers, and it will be plain to see that Splitter is among the team's most valuable players.
5. Boris Diaw
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Boris Diaw continues to dazzle, standing as a bastion of efficiency and versatility.
His season averages remain remarkable, and while they may be skewed due to playing time—something that negatively affects all members of the team (that is, except for Austin Daye)—it's impossible to ignore his shooting percentages.
From the floor, Diaw is averaging 56 percent on the season. Recently, though, that average has skyrocketed to an incredible 65 percent.
Throw in a reliable three-point shot, a consistent jumper, a defensive prowess that even the world's best basketball minds cannot seem to comprehend and a passing ability that few big men can replicate, and Diaw is valuable in every facet of the game.
As the Spurs prepare for a postseason run, his unique ability to contribute in all spheres will be useful in helping to fix the team's flaws and provide needed depth regardless of the situation.
4. Manu Ginobili
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As the Manu Renaissance continues, the NBA world becomes more and more engrossed.
After last year's horrific showing, Manu Ginobili has returned with a chip on his shoulder and has been wrecking havoc from his usual spot off the bench.
His scoring total continues to increase on a monthly basis, as does his field-goal percentage.
Having surpassed the 20-point plateau in three of his last five games, Ginobili has been an integral component behind the team's recent streak. Should a similar run happen during the postseason, you can bet that he'll be one of the major players in the streak.
3. Kawhi Leonard
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Despite a slow start and a major injury setback, third-year small forward Kawhi Leonard has found his step and is showing the world why he was deservedly tagged by Gregg Popovich as the next face of the franchise.
Though it is not yet clear that he has completely overcome his hand injury, the San Diego State product returned from his absence with the shooting touch that was missing during the first three quarters of the season.
Having recently brought both his field-goal and three-point percentages over the halfway mark, the evident weakness to his game has seemingly withered away, leaving Leonard as a young two-way stud.
His youth, athleticism and defense were crucial in last year's playoff run, and a similar output will be expected should the team advance deep into the postseason.
T-1. Tim Duncan
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Words cannot begin to describe what Tim Duncan is currently doing at the ripe age of 37.
Currently sixth in the Kia MVP Ladder, the Big Fundamental is doing it all despite playing limited minutes.
His service as a defensive anchor remains vital to the team's success, as does his presence on the other end, where his ability to score effortlessly down low ensures that San Antonio is a constant threat from anywhere on the court.
Though his field-goal percentage has been uncharacteristically shaky, Duncan has shown that he is still relevant, a sentiment that echoes throughout his entire team.
T-1. Tony Parker
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Equally deserving of the top spot is Tony Parker, who has been the backbone of the team's offensive success this season.
While Duncan leads the defense and provides a significant contribution towards the team's offensive schemes, Parker has been the one with the keys since the season's start.
From orchestrating to scoring, the point guard has been dominant per usual, maintaining his incredibly efficient marks all the while.
Despite relatively low playing time, he is scoring over 17 points per game and doing so on over 50 percent shooting, a mark that puts him in an exclusive club.
His aptitude cannot be denied, as his contributions will headline any future success that the team has.
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