San Antonio Spurs-Portland Trailblazers: A Chat Among Team Bloggers

Here at Bust a Bucket, we try our best to reach out to other NBA writers and bloggers in order to gain valuable perspective from people who, no doubt, know their team the best. In preparation for tonight's game against the San Antonio Spurs, I spoke with Michael De Leon of Project Spurs about Manu Ginobli, the health of Tony Parker, and his favorite key player of the season.

Here are my answers to his questions . The Blazers need to win this contest.

Go Blazers!

Sophia Brugato: The Spurs have a better overall record than the Blazers and are considered one of the elite squads in the Western Conference, if not of the entire NBA. However, they are an even .500 (14-14) against conference opponents and are 8-9 on the road. Can you comment a bit on their recent struggles—both on the road and regarding their record against conference opponents?

Michael De Leon: I would not consider them an elite team this season for exactly the reasons you stated. As far as why they are struggling, I doubt even Pop could give you the answer to that. Early on in the season we used to give the standard excuses: the team needing to learn the offense, having to adjust to seven new players, and building chemistry.

But we are past midseason now and it's a little too late for excuses.

As someone recently said on our podcast, Pop is just throwing everything at the wall right now and hoping something will stick. We've seen several different rotations and starting lineups and we just can't seem to find the perfect mix.

SB: Against the Blazers, what will be the most efficient point of attack for the Spurs in order to get the win? (Hint: Pound ball inside, aim for Pendergraph, and rebound more than us.)

MD: To injure any Blazers big man still standing. Really, the Spurs just have to execute their offense, step up the defensive effort, and take care of the ball. I know that sounds elementary, but they have to go back to basics so that the Spurs don't get man-handled by a Blazers squad that is mostly injured right now and using bench players as stopgaps.

SB: What is the status of Tony Parker? Will he play? How will that change things offensively for the Spurs?

MD: The latest is that Tony will play, but I doubt he starts or plays major minutes this game. With the way George Hill has been playing, he really doesn't need to.

Even with Tony playing, I don't think it changes a lot offensively. He's been struggling with plantar fasciitis, which has affected his speed. Whereas before he used to relish one-on-two fast breaks, now he'll bring the ball back out to the key and set up the offense, essentially killing the most effective tool in his arsenal.

SB: Who has been the most instrumental role player this season for the Spurs and why?

MD: Without a doubt it's George Hill. I was one of very few people that didn't throw a fit and jump off a bridge when the Spurs selected him in the 2008 draft, and he's starting to make me look pretty smart.

While he did show some potential last season, this season he's shown so much improvement, not just in his ability to run the point or play the two, but he's a lot more confident. That's the No. 1 must-have trait in a point guard, and something that has been missing from a Spurs back-up point guard since Speedy Claxton.

Kelly Dwyer says that Hill is overrated, but I couldn't disagree more. He's shown a lot of poise and has been a key contributor, whether he's starting or coming off the bench.

SB: The Blazers have approximately 716,584 expiring contracts this season, but the contracts belong to no one of significant importance. Talk a bit about Manu Ginobli, his role on the team, and what the game plan should be without him on the Spurs squad (sad thoughts, I know).

MD: Manu has played well lately, but there's no question his time is limited. I don't think the Spurs can get someone for him near equal value, so I'd prefer if they re-signed him to a short-term deal—maybe two years with the second being a team option.

He'll also have to take a pay cut. If he would agree to that, I think they should definitely keep him around.

Without Manu, we'd be losing a big part of our bench. He's part of why the Spurs have the league's highest-scoring second unit and you can't overlook what he does on the other end of the floor.

Without him, Roger Mason would be sure to see a lot more minutes, and while he can shoot, he's no Manu. I don't think San Antonio is quite ready for a Manu-less Spurs team.