Spurs Staff Member Says They're Too Young

TheSportster

By Alex Hoegler

Published Dec 7, 2018

One San Antonio Spurs staff member suggests that the team is struggling because the team is simply too young and inexperienced.

Nov 24, 2018; Milwaukee, WI, USA; San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich talks to guard Patty Mills (8) in the third quarter during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks at the Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

The San Antonio Spurs sit at a putrid 11-14 entering play on Friday, only ahead of the lowly Phoenix Suns in the Western Conference.

Thus far, the Spurs have been one of the biggest disappointments. They won 47 games last season, with Kawhi Leonard missing all but nine games because of a quad injury. When they traded him in a package deal that brought DeMar DeRozan over to San Antonio, the hope was this team could win 50-plus games.

But even though DeRozan is enjoying another All-Star caliber season (24.3 points and 5.9 assists per game), the Spurs haven't gotten much production from their other key players. Right now, the Spurs look destined to miss the postseason for the first time since 1997.

There's a lot going wrong in San Antonio right now, but one unnamed staff member told Bleacher Report's Eric Pincus what they think the problem is.

"They're too young. They're too inexperienced," the staffer said.

Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

The Spurs certainly miss Leonard, Manu Ginobili (retired), and Tony Parker (signed with the Charlotte Hornets). Without the three franchise stars and leaders, Gregg Popovich has has been forced to work with a handful of inexperienced players. And even the legendary head coach can't squeeze much production out of them.

Outside of DeRozan and 33-year-old veteran LaMarcus Aldridge, the Spurs haven't received any consistent production from their other players. Jakob Poeltl - who came over via the Leonard trade - has a mere 5.6 points per game. Veteran point guard Patty Mills is averaging just 9.7 points per contest.

What This Means

The likes of Poeltl, Drew Eubanks and Derrick White need to step up if the Spurs are to have a shot at making the playoffs. Otherwise, the organization that became a model of excellence for two decades will see its run come to an end much earlier than expected.

Perhaps a trade could be in the works if the Spurs keep on struggling this much.

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