San Antonio Spurs: 5 Adjustments to make with Tony Parker out

Just give Kawhi the ball and get out of the way

Let’s face it, this team was always going as far as Kawhi Leonard took them. And when the going gets tough, late in the fourth quarter, he’s going to have the ball anyway. So why not just move that timeline up some?

Obviously the team can’t make him into their version of “James Harden: The Point Guard” all game. They need him for too many things that adding this on would wear him down. And if there is one thing they cannot allow this injury to do, it is lessen Leonard’s ability to play down the stretch in (hopefully) later series. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t his show in the fourth quarter.

The best strategy for the San Antonio Spurs is to keep Kawhi’s usage as close to the same for as long as possible. Let Patty or Manu get him looks early, keep the ball movement high, and then put the ball in his massive hands for the fourth quarter.

There is no “replacing” Tony Parker for the San Antonio Spurs, not right now. He clearly emerged as the No. 2 to Kawhi in these playoffs with his scoring and leadership. But the other players will have to all step up to do their best.

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Patty or Manu will need to facilitate the offense early, while the other has to provide a big boost off the bench. Danny Green and Aldridge will have to continue to find their rhythm and increase their scoring numbers. Anderson and Dedmon, who haven’t played much in this series, might have to step up and play big roles. But most of all, Kawhi Leonard is going to have to continue doing what he is doing, and then some.