2013-14 NBA Preview: 10 Teams Best Suited To Play Small Ball
By John Kim
5. San Antonio Spurs
May 10, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich (left) instructs shooting guard Manu Ginobili (20) during the fourth quarter in game three of the second round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs against the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena. The Spurs defeated the Warriors 102-92. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
The Spurs can play any style effectively. A small ball lineup of Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, Danny Green, Kawhi Leonard and Tim Duncan is a lineup to be feared around the league. Even though they are balanced, each player’s exceptional ability at either driving, shooting, rebounding, defending or creating gives the Spurs a multifaceted threat.
The real heroes of this lineup come in the form of Green and Leonard. Green showed off his elite-level three-point shooting ability in the 2013 NBA Finals. In addition to his exceptional shooting, Green’s length really helped him become a defensive pest. Leonard, too, was a defensive beast in the Finals. He defended LeBron James as well as anybody else had throughout the season. His elite rebounding also frees up a lot of responsibility from Duncan.