Ginobili says the Spurs’ growing pains are just part of the process.
SAN ANTONIO — The San Antonio Spurs are in the middle of a brutal losing skid.
After three straight losses, the team ranks 30th in Defensive Rating (131.9) and 23rd in Offensive Rating (111). During this losing streak, they have lost by 20 points or more.
The team has also lost six of the last seven games and nine of the previous 13 games after being two games over .500 a few days before Christmas.
However, despite the team’s current struggles, there is not much to be done in the immediate future but to ride out the bumps and bruises of the rebuild and hope the young players learn from their mistakes, says team great Manu Ginobili.
“You can give all the advice you want. It’s just a process and you got to mature, you got to be there,” said Ginobili to San Antonio Sports Star’s The Blitz with Jason Minnix and Joe Reinagel. “It sucks, but it’s part of the process.”
This season, the Spurs continue to show their on-court immaturity. They have committed countless turnovers, struggled offensively, and been thoroughly outplayed in the third period, especially during their losing streak.
During the recent slide, San Antonio’s third-period Defensive Rating was 159.3 (30th in the NBA), and its Offensive Rating was 92.5 (28th in the NBA), according to stat site PivotFade.
This includes a 13.8 Turnover Percentage (22nd in the NBA) and a 36.9 Rebounding Percentage (29th in the NBA) in the losing streak.
In their recent loss to the Heat, San Antonio allowed a season-high 46 points in the third quarter, matching their poor third quarter against Portland on December 13.
“You’re going to make those mistakes,” he said. “There’s nothing that can accelerate time, and it’s painful to watch… but it takes time.”
The Spurs are still far from becoming a powerhouse team like the one Ginobili played for during his NBA days.
But the Basketball Hall of Famer offers hope and insight into the growing pains that every team experiences.
He says the Spurs teams he was a part of went through the same thing the current roster is experiencing in their development before breaking through and becoming a perennial playoff team.
“We did it too many times early on and then we started to mature and understand, and those types of experiences help you next time,” he said. “You’re in the same situation to remember and not to go and make the same mistakes.”
At midseason, the Spurs have a 19-22 record. However, there are still plenty of games left to improve.
Yes, the last three losses have been excruciating, but Ginobili sees good things in the team.
He points out that having Chris Paul and Harrison Barnes on the roster will remain key in player development. He also sees the tremendous development from rookie Stephon Castle, Victor Wembanyama’s dominance and Devin Vassell slowly returning to form.
“I think we’re in a good spot and we are showing great development. We are thrilled with what Steph[on] Castle is doing on the court. Of course, Victor and Devin being comfy again. So I think we’re in a great situation,” he said.
Ginobili, the Spurs’ special advisor to basketball operations, reminded San Antonio Sports Star during his interview that the team is young and that frustrations will never go away, even when the team returns to the postseason.
Said Ginobili: “And whenever we make the playoffs again, we are going to make silly mistakes, and we’re going to be frustrated, but it is what it is.”
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