San Antonio Spurs forward Rudy Gay is not dismayed by his team's poor start to the 2019-20 season.

The 14-year veteran insists that the Spurs (13-18) have strong chemistry in the locker room in spite of the team's early struggles:

Gay is adjusting to a bench role after re-signing with San Antonio for two years and $32 million. The 33-year-old is averaging 11.0 points and 6.0 rebounds in just under 23 minutes per game.

Rudy Gay and the Spurs' bench have been successful this season. San Antonio's reserves rank fourth in the NBA in scoring, with Patty Mills and Gay leading the way. The starters have been solid offensively as well, as DeMar DeRozan is doing his usual thing and LaMarcus Aldridge has even been shooting more 3-pointers lately.

The brunt of San Antonio's struggles have come on the defensive end, where the starting unit has been especially problematic. Gregg Popovich's teams are usually organized and stout on defense, but the Spurs rank 21st in defensive rating, according to Basketball-Reference.com. The Spurs are one of the better rebounding teams in the NBA, but they have simply been unable to string together stops. This issue is why San Antonio is consistently in the minus with DeRozan and Aldridge on the floor.

Still, the Spurs may have withstood the storm. Trade rumors involving DeRozan have mostly dissipated, and San Antonio is currently tied for eighth in the West with the scuffling Portland Trail Blazers. The Spurs still have an excellent chance of extending their playoff streak.