San Antonio Spurs: 3 Rotation mistakes Coach Pop must avoid

San Antonio Spurs Gregg Popovich Tre Jones
San Antonio Spurs Gregg Popovich Tre Jones / Jason Miller/Getty Images
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San Antonio Spurs
Doug McDermott / Will Newton/Getty Images

3. Avoid going long stretches without shooters

Judging by their offseason acquisitions, it seems like the San Antonio Spurs know shooting was a serious weakness last year. After finishing dead last in 3-pointers made and attempted and 24th in 3-point percentage, the Spurs loaded up with guys like Doug McDermott, Bryn Forbes, Joe Wieskamp, and even an underrated shooting big man in Jock Landale.

Shooting from beyond the arc is the name of the game in the modern NBA, and it's not going anywhere soon. As such, Brian Wright seems to have finally adapted, at least roster-wise. Still, Coach Popovich will need to make sure he takes advantage of newly acquired shooting.

Although I just finished arguing against giving Forbes too much time, he still should be utilized with defensive guards that can cover up for his mistakes. McDermott should also be a great floor-spacer for San Antonio's slashing wings like Lonnie Walker and Keldon Johnson. Last year, DeMar DeRozan's complete lack of outside shooting allowed teams to completely collapse the lane inside time and time again. That shouldn't be the case if Coach Pop fills that slot with a proven shooter.

Last season, Rudy Gay and Patty Mills were the most accurate shooters from downtown. Still, Lonnie Walker (35.5%) and Devin Vassell (34.7%) showed they could be pretty effective from there themselves. There are a lot of shooters on the team this season. Coach Popovich would be wise to have at least two of them on the floor at all times.

dark. Next. Top 25 players in franchise history

This team doesn't have superstar names on it, but it does have talent at every position with several guys poised for a breakout year. Coach Pop should have a little fun with his rotations in 2022, but here's hoping he's learned from some past mistakes.

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