Last season marked the first time in 22 years that the San Antonio Spurs failed to qualify for the NBA Playoffs. With the new season just around the corner, coach Gregg Popovich hinted that a significant change might be on the way as they aim to get back into contention.
In an interview with Jeff McDonald of San Antonio Express-News, Popovich shared his plans for the upcoming campaign. He harked back on the Spurs' failure to make the postseason and battle for the title. So fans might see a drastic change in how the team plays this season.
“The bottom line, in all frankness, I don’t remember winning a championship last year. I don’t remember being in the playoffs. So it’s time to make a change, play a different way, demand it and move forward.”
It's been a relatively quiet offseason for the Spurs. DeMar DeRozan's hefty contract constricted the team from luring in any big-name free agents. The Spurs did re-sign Drew Eubanks and Jakob Poeltl, with Quinndary Weatherspoon and Keita Bates-Diop returning on two-way deals. Gone, however, are key players Bryn Forbes and Marco Belinelli.
The Spurs picked Florida State's Devin Vassell with the 11th overall pick and got Duke's Tre Jones in the second round. Knowing the Spurs and their excellent player development program, don't be surprised to see the two rookies to make waves in the next few years, along with young guys Derrick White, Dejounte Murray, Lonnie Walker, and Keldon Johnson.
It's difficult to connect the Spurs' pedestrian offseason with Popovich's grand plan for change. But they have always maneuvered under the radar. Next thing you know, they're back in the NBA Playoffs again, contending for the crown.
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