Playoff teams showing key piece of blueprint Spurs can copy immediately
During the second part of the NBA season, Victor Wembanyama was asked about what has impressed him about some of the best players in the league since his arrival. He responded by commending their consistency. Performing to the highest peak of your powers on a nightly basis is not just difficult on the body but tough on the mind.
Developing the resolve to execute the best of your skills regardless of circumstance can take time but there are things within the control of the Spurs players right now that can be adjusted to win more games and it's quite simple; hustle harder.
If the Spurs just work harder, they will win more games
The Miami Heat are a great example of a team that never gives up on a possession. They have put on a masterclass in effort over the last few seasons, making deep playoff runs with regularity, despite their place in the standings. The video above is just one example.
When you watch the defenses of the Minnesota Timberwolves, Miami Heat, New York Knicks, etc. the players are scrambling around the court to cover for each other every time they're called upon. Sure, there will be breakdowns in the coverage but the effort to deny offense is always there.
There were too many times during the San Antonio Spurs season where it looked like guys were going through the motions defensively. It improved over the final two months of the season but the consistent energy was not there from start to finish. Even poor defenders can make an impact when they bring a defiant attitude and relentless effort. Hopefully, the players are observing the result of that grit while the playoffs are raging and bring their own to the court next season.