San Antonio Spurs Players Making Strongest Case for More Minutes
The San Antonio Spurs have distanced themselves from early-season struggles, and a few players have made a strong case for more minutes in the process.
Injuries also contributed to the well-documented slow start, but two backups and one starter helped San Antonio return to its powerful form through five weeks of the 2014-15 NBA campaign.
As a result, Gregg Popovich's team ripped off an eight-game winning streak and silenced any worries of an unforeseen collapse.
Plus, the Spurs have added two meaningful assets to their already impressive bench, which should sufficiently nauseate the rest of the extremely competitive Western Conference.
Aron Baynes
During the offseason, San Antonio explored free-agent options while Aron Baynes mulled over whether to rejoin the Spurs or follow the money trail. He ultimately elected to remain in the States, and that decision has immediately paid basketball-related dividends.
Since Tiago Splitter has been sidelined all but 10 minutes this season, Baynes has nearly doubled his playing time. Baynes isn't as offensively gifted as his counterpart, but he's steadily improved his finishing ability when rolling to the basket after setting a pick.
To date, the third-year center has amassed a career-best 60.4 shooting percentage. Additionally, Baynes' offensive rating has soared to 116 from 97 and his defensive rating has improved from 105 to 100.
He contributes such a punishing physical presence that Kawhi Leonard said the 6'10", 260-pound monster is occasionally held out of practice so he doesn't unintentionally hurt someone.
Granted, Baynes hasn't always carried that over to game action. Opponents have connected on 57.8 percent of shots within six feet, whereas Splitter surrendered 47.3 in the same distance last season, per NBA.com.
But Baynes isn't challenging Splitter for the starting role, because the Brazilian will unquestionably assume that responsibility upon his return. When San Antonio is at full strength, however, Baynes should receive additional minutes compared to his 2013-14 season.
At this point, he's clearly surpassed Jeff Ayres in the frontcourt but is sharing the floor with Matt Bonner. Baynes must solidify himself as a dependable finisher at the rim, and it wouldn't hurt to exude his physical dominance more often on the other end.
Once Splitter is available, Baynes will have a few additional opportunities—fouls—to let his opponents know he's there. And if Leonard's comment is any indication, they won't easily forget it.
Cory Joseph
Prior to the 2014-15 campaign, Cory Joseph quietly logged 12.7 minutes per game throughout 125 appearances. Save for an eyebrow-raising slam over Serge Ibaka, the University of Texas product wasn't particularly flashy.
But while Patty Mills recovers from shoulder surgery, Joseph has occupied the backup minutes voided by the sharpshooter, not necessarily replacing him. But that's not a discouraging revelation by any means, since the Spurs weren't expecting Joseph to be a comparable player in the backcourt.
Mills' trademark is off-ball movement to find open triples, and it's no surprise nearly 50 percent of his attempts last season were from long distance.
Joseph, on the other hand, displays a defensive-oriented game and fills a facilitation-focused offensive role as opposed to lights-out shooting. He's ultimately a true point guard in pick-and-roll sets and attacks the basket significantly better than Mills.
Pertaining to their respective fits in the system, they could hardly be more different. Almost 60 percent of Joseph's shots in 2014-15 have come in the paint, and a strong majority of those were at the rim.
What's more, Joseph is also registering valuable playing time alongside Baynes, who will likely be his primary pick-and-roll partner on the second unit this season.
Per 82games, the five-man unit of Joseph, Marco Belinelli, Manu Ginobili, Boris Diaw and Baynes has recorded points per possession marks of 1.05 offensively and 0.79 defensively. That lineup will probably be used when Splitter returns but Mills is still sidelined, and it's been quite efficient so far.
Though Joseph's playing time will certainly be reduced when Mills is activated, the former has shown no reason for the latter to scramble back. Joseph has deserved all of the elevated minutes he's securing.
Kawhi Leonard
Leonard seems like an obvious choice—and he is—but the fourth year player's on-court performance has demanded an increased role.
Michael Lee of The Washington Post notes Popovich told Leonard it's time for the small forward to become a consistently dominant player.
"I said, 'This is you. This, Kawhi Leonard. You have arrived. This is what I'm talking about. Now you do it over, and over and over again. That's what the big boys do.'"
"The Claw" has tallied 31.6 minutes per night, narrowly eclipsing his previous high of 31.2 two seasons ago. San Antonio has the luxury of gradually working the 23-year-old into a substantial role, though Leonard is obviously ready for more responsibilities.
Popovich continued, saying the budding star needs to take initiative and supplant his elders.
"We're trying to loosen up a bit and give him more of a green light. He's getting more license. When you're a young kid, you're going to defer to Timmy and Manu and [Tony]. Now it's like, 'To heck with those guys. The Big Three, they're older than dirt. To hell with them. You're the Big One. You've got to go do your deal.' So, we’re trying to get him to be more demonstrative in that regard.
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Leonard's usage rate has climbed to a career-high 21.9 percent, and he's attempted more 10-to-22-foot jumpers than previous years, too. In simpler terms, Leonard is creating more chances and isn't shying away from marginally open looks that he once avoided while establishing himself in the league.
The small forward will soon become part of San Antonio's choice duo alongside Tony Parker, so 2014-15 provides an excellent opportunity for Leonard to transition into a top scoring option every night.
Unless otherwise noted, all stats courtesy of Basketball-Reference and accurate as of Dec. 3, pre-San Antonio vs. Brooklyn Nets.
Follow Bleacher Report NBA writer David Kenyon on Twitter: @Kenyon19_BR.
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