San Antonio Spurs

Could the Spurs backups make playoffs in the east?

Published Aug. 28, 2015 9:44 a.m. ET

foxsports

By Marvin Parker Jr.

In a world where everything is about equal opportunity and being fair, the NBA is far from that. In no other sport can I think of a more lopsided league as far as regional splitting goes. Within the past 10 years the Western Conference has taken the NBA by storm, clearly dominating the talent spectrum in the league. Today I simply wonder, could the second five in San Antonio make the playoffs in the east?

You immediately think no, because of the respect to the overall NBA product. But really, could the five backups of the San Antonio Spurs beat out the bottom teams in the East to make the playoffs? I’ll begin by listing the five-second fiddle Spurs: Patty Mills, Manu Ginobili, Kyle Anderson, David West and Boris Diaw. Sounds convincing doesn’t it?

Patty Mills might mess around and win sixth man of the year – if David West doesn’t. This Aussie has no conscience when he gets hot, and boy does he get hot. Averaging 6.9 points-per-game last season, look for that number to rise. Mills missed a considerable amount of games last year recovering from off-season shoulder surgery. I’m not saying his PER, player efficiency rating, will go up because he’ll hopefully be healthy all year. The addition of LaMarcus Aldridge will have to do with that also. Many overlook his addition and think, “Oh, Timmy will be able to sit back and Pop will save him for the playoffs.” That’s true, yes, but Aldridge impacts the team, which Coach Gregg Popovich is all about. The former Trailblazers 23+ points-per-game means more than Tim Duncan get to collect on some rest time. Tony Parker is younger than what most people think since entering the league at age 19, but he’s 33-years-old now and being a point guard, there are some serious miles on those knees. I’m sure Parker will see a reduced roll this season, allowing Mills to play more. You just simply don’t need Aldridge, Leonard, and Parker out there a lot of the time. Let Mills come in with fresh legs and do what it does, you know?

Manu Ginobili is the interesting man in this lineup. Barring injury, he can still have a very productive year. He still provides spark and has great defensive awareness. His experience is something you can’t measure and his savvy, you can’t touch. Sure, sometimes he’s all over the place, creating unwarranted instability, but is that always a bad thing? I’ll never forget a few years back when the Spurs and Warriors were playing in the playoffs, Manu air-balled a three and I lost it. I was done with him right then and there, until…until he comes right back, down with less than 15 seconds left in the game to swish a three-pointer from the same spot that basically wins the game. I like to think Manu just likes to keep things interesting.

Kyle Anderson, AKA self-proclaimed Slomo. His length is great, and he’s learning. Like many teams in the NBA, especially the east, there’s always an expendable player in the lineup. Kyle’s young though, and learning from the best in the best situation to learn, he’s got time. He played great in summer league earning MVP, and the Spurs won the summer league championship. He’s got nothing but upside.

David West, who I feel is the man that made everything so magical. He’s a straight up starter on more than half of the teams in the league; it’s just a steal that he’s in San Antonio. The Spurs better get it done this year, because accepting the veteran minimum is most likely a one-year trial run. West can pass as a big man, score 10+ points and grab 10+ boards a game. He’ll be a double-double machine off the bench -that’s almost even crazy to even think about.

The best for last, my favorite number and one of the most underrated players around, Boris Diaw. He’s been doing his thing for over a decade after being drafted in the first round in one of the best draft classes ever in 2003. Now Diaw probably isn’t a starter in the league anymore, but he’s the best at knowing his role, big or small. He adapts. He’s one of the smartest big men you’ll find, and makes everyone around him better. The three-point shot isn’t out of the question so he can stretch the floor. A downside is that he doesn’t get many boards, averaging 4.5 last year. With that said, he makes up for it with assists. Diaw is a complete player, one that truly makes a difference.

With everything out there, you’ve got to believe that the second five in San Antonio could grab at least an eight seed in the east. If you don’t think so yet, lets check out the starting line ups for the Eastern Conference 6-8 seeds in the playoffs last year.

6: Milwaukee Bucks

PG- Michael Carter-Williams

SG- Khris Middelton

SF- Giannis Antetokounmpo

PF- Jabari Parker

C- Greg Monroe

7: Boston Celtics

PG- Isaiah Thomas

SG- Avery Bradley

SF- Evan Turner

PF- David Lee

C- Tyler Zeller