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10 Reasons The Spurs Would Beat The Warriors In A Series

By Colby Giacubeno

Nov 11, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker (9) dribbles the basketball against Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) during the second quarter at Oracle Arena. The Spurs defeated the Warriors 113-100. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 11, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker (9) dribbles the basketball against Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) during the second quarter at Oracle Arena. The Spurs defeated the Warriors 113-100. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 2, 2015; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich talks with power forward Tim Duncan (21) during the second half against the Milwaukee Bucks at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 2, 2015; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich talks with power forward Tim Duncan (21) during the second half against the Milwaukee Bucks at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Mental Strength

When a team suffers a defeat, it brings doubt into their mind, even if it’s ever so slightly, of whether or not they can beat them next time they meet that opposition. This theory doesn’t apply to the Spurs.

There have been plenty of times where Popovich will do his famous “resting” of guys like Duncan, Ginobili, and Parker when they face a top opponent during the regular season. There are a couple answers for why he does this. One being he doesn’t want the opposition to get a better feel for what the game will be like if the two teams meet in the playoffs.

Another reason is to actually rest his players so fatigue doesn’t increase the risk of injury.

In some of those games like the one earlier this season against the Warriors, the Spurs will get blown out by 20 or more points. But as they have done many times, they can come back the next game and have complete control, almost as if the previous loss to that specific team never happened.

This type of mental strength is credited much to Popovich keeping his team focused on the next goal at hand, but also the big trio has a lot to do with it by keeping the locker room under control when Popovich isn’t there.

Sure, the blow out that the Warriors unleashed on the Spurs this season definitely makes you think if they can actually match up with the Warriors even when Duncan is playing, but then you have to take a step back and realize Popovich is gathering the hypothesis to escape with four wins in the conference finals.

Next: The Added Depth

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