San Antonio Spurs: Key factors in constructing lineups for 2019-20

Moving players to different positions

In a five-man lineup, positions are not as important as they once were. The “prototypical” player at each position is more team-specific and matchup-specific than it ever has been. Change of pace, need for floor spacing and length on defense has lead to a change in how we perceive positions.

A power forward right now looks different on each team and in stark contrast to the decades prior.

LaMarcus Aldridge played most of his minutes at power forward earlier in his career for the Portland Trail Blazers. Due to the retirement of Tim Duncan and the departure of other bigs, Aldridge had to change.

He had to strip away his resistance to the center position and become the last line of defense for the San Antonio Spurs. This meant adapting to carrying more of the rim protection duties.

Aldridge taking his spot at center is important when Rudy Gay is on the floor. At 6’8”, Gay is undersized for a traditional power forward.

The playoff series against the Nuggets called for Jakob Poeltl, a 7-footer, to take on more minutes to match All-Star Nikola Jokic, even though Gay played more reliable minutes during the regular season.

DeMar DeRozan has been a career shooting guard. But in a lineup with Dejounte Murray and Bryn Forbes or Derrick White, DeRozan isn’t playing a clear position. He is the focal point on offense, he creates his own shots and facilitates when necessary.

Playing the heavy share of minutes, his position is becoming less and less important to his style and impact.