Spurs Trio Sets the Bar

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Spurs Trio Sets the Bar

2018-12-20T13:42:27+00:00June 17th, 2014|

The 2013-14 NBA season is now officially over, and I definitely want to send out my congratulations to the Spurs on winning the NBA championship.

The Spurs are such a great team that I thought it would be appropriate to write my second blog entry about what makes them unique, specifically their star trio of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili, because they’re a really inspirational group that young players in the league, like me, can look up to.

Tim_Tony_Manu

Manu speaks to the mentality all the Spurs have of doing whatever they are asked to do for the good of the team. They needed him to be a spark off the bench, so he said, ‘Okay, I’ll do it,’ and thrived in that position.

I love the way he plays the game. Manu is actually one of the reasons I chose number 20 when I was younger. I just loved watching him play.

When he was younger, he attacked the basket a lot more, and I liked the way he used different steps to get by guys and finished around the rim. He’s one of the guys who introduced the Euro Step and all those types of moves into the NBA. He still uses those moves now, but obviously he’s a little bit older and has had to transform his game. He’s not afraid to take big shots, though, and is very capable of threading the needle to get the ball to a teammate. I love that about his game.

They obviously have a very talented backcourt. Tony Parker is a tough guard. He’s extremely quick, and one of those guys where if you try to get up and pressure him, it almost automatically results in a wide-open shot from somebody else.

Our whole scheme for him this year was just to try to keep him outside the paint, because when he gets in the paint, you have problems. He’s too good once he gets in there between his ability to find different guys, and his ability to knock down those floaters. So you kind of want to force him to shoot outside jump shots. A lot of teams try to put a bigger guy on him to use their length, and not let him get into the paint and force him to shoot jump shots. You saw Miami do that this series. But he can hit jump shots, too, and when his shot is on, he’s almost unstoppable. To me, he’s still kind of underrated. Not many people talk about him, but he’s quietly become one of the best point guards in the league over the past five or 10 years.

Of course, you can’t talk about the Spurs without mentioning Tim Duncan. He’s a guy I have extreme respect for.

He’s a winner. Along with his major contributions, he does the little things that people don’t notice. He’s one of the best big man screeners in the league. I hate going against him because he sets great screens, sticks his hip out there, and holds the screens really well. When you’re coming off, he does just enough to hold you up a little bit, too. He has a lot of those little veteran moves that don’t show up, and nobody really sees.

But when you’re guarding Parker or Ginobili, and he’s coming off the screen, a lot of times that’s how they get wide open going down the lane. You get clipped coming off of his screen, or you have to go extra wide so you don’t run into him. I love that about his game. He does all the little things besides everything else that he does to help his team win.

To be able to do what he’s done for this long is incredible, especially being a big man. Most big guys wear down physically, so it’s unbelievable what he’s able to do.

2014 NBA Finals - Game Three

I think it probably starts with his work habits and ethic. You always hear what a hard worker he is. If you want to stay in the league for as long as he has and still be effective, your work habits have to be top tier. You have to constantly be at it every single summer, every single offseason, and during the season, continuing to stretch and maintain yourself in the weight room and through eating habits. I’m only 24, so I haven’t felt it yet, but I’m sure as you get older, your body just wears down a lot quicker, so that just means you have to work even harder to maintain that level of excellence.

Basketball is a game. It’s fun, and it’s what we do for a living. But it’s also a job, and you’ve got to approach it like a job. You’ve got to get up, even on days where you don’t want to, and go to work. Those guys have been doing that for nearly two decades, and it’s a credit to their work ethic and professionalism.

It something that we younger guys should really look up to.

11 Comments

  1. Sam June 17, 2014 at 9:54 pm - Reply

    Gordon,

    Great to see you watching and learning from not only great players, but great guys as well. I feel the Jazz are modeling the team after the Spurs and you are a big part of that. Excited to see you take that next step and become the go-to guy for Utah. Keep up the hard work and ink a deal to stay here in SLC!

    • Gedie June 17, 2014 at 10:39 pm - Reply

      I feel Gordon’s been very underrated and in my personal opinion a little unappreciated by our Jazz.. With all the instability and coaching and player changes I think Gordys been exceptional! And in a stable situation with better pieces around him, he will easily average 20-7-7 maybe more, and at least 1-2 blocks per game.. His recovery defense is (again in my opinion) as good as it gets in the league aside from maybe LBJ. I mean think about it?? He took a huge leap last year with a rookie PG, ineffective coach ( sorry Ty) and on a team that made it clear we were rebuilding.. And became the go to guy over night.. Still putting up stats like he did makes me think of one thing.. And that is, (what if we had a solid coach and a couple more star type players around him now?) especially when himself, Burke, Burks, Favors, and Kanter will have improved even more next year. Not to mention another lottery pick that could turn out huge for us? Letting Gordy walk now would be the worst move they could make, cause we’ve helped mold him into a great player. And to let him go right when he’s on the cusp of becoming a superstar ( my opinion) would be like giving away an all star for free, when the smart move is to retain him, pay da man, and make the playoffs next year!! I believe he’s our center piece. Faves is awesome, love his game. But he isn’t the kind of leader nor scorer that we need desperately to stay put and bloom into the superstar that he is..

  2. Gedie June 17, 2014 at 10:06 pm - Reply

    Hey Gordy, sorry for the dumb nickname, it’s just what I’ve always called you since the day you first hit a 3 pointer for my Utah Jazz. I like the respect you have for the Spurs, and the things you take from them to make your game even better. . I feel you’re being under rated right now as well. I’ve been a Jazz fan since I was able to say the word Jazz. And I’m 28 years old. But I think they should have offered you a new deal this past year, and for what your worth. Which in my personal opinion should be at least 13 M a yr for as long as you would agree to stay here. If they don’t match any offer sheet given to you this off season, I’m going to very very unhappy. I knew you were gonna be great soon as I heard you were our pick. And I feel you will be every bit as good (if not better) then PG. Whom as you know was drafted after you by Indy. And I’ve heard a lot of negativeness that “Utah took the wrong guy” blah blah blah. You’re worlds better on D, better attitude, and if it weren’t for all the changes (franchise staff wise) since you got here you’d already be averaging equal, if not better offensive numbers then him as well. I mean you’re going on your third head coach now, ( including a hall of fame Sloan early in your career), going from having multiple great players around you, to being the go to guy in a very short timeframe, a new GM, and then seeing Faves getting his extension this season while they put you on the back burner.. And still you lead our team all year and was in my opinion our best player, although we have a lot of young talent. While PG has had a much more stable situation in Indy, with a legend like Bird as they’re GM. Building a solid group of guys to make it a lot easier for him to grow faster, and get him better opportunities to stack his stat line.. I think if we let you walk you will go on to an All star many times over, (unfortunately) for another smarter team.. But I think we realize your a blooming superstar, and will make the correct choice! Looking forward to watching your game improve next year, in a Jazz jersey or not. Hopefully tho!!! Cause were gonna be great! 2014-15!! WeAreUtahJazz!!!! Thanks Gordy!! Best a luck man!

  3. Tony M June 17, 2014 at 10:28 pm - Reply

    Jazz front office will keep G-Time in SLC, guaranteed. Looking forward to watching you continue to develop next year under Coach Snyder. We LOVE having you here!

  4. Kyle Murray June 17, 2014 at 10:32 pm - Reply

    I love that you’re blogging. The Spurs are the kind of team we want to emulate, and if you’ll be our Ginobili, then we’ll be screaming your name for years to come. Keep it up!

    • Gedie June 17, 2014 at 10:47 pm - Reply

      Agreed!

  5. Andrew T June 18, 2014 at 12:18 am - Reply

    “Gotta love it baby!” I love the personal insight from someone who currently plays the game and has played against the Spurs. Great idea Gordon with the blog. It’s a fun way for fans like me to connect with the game and see it from an NBA players perspective. I may live near Portland but I’m a Jazz fan for life. Go Jazz!!!

  6. Dan Wojcik June 18, 2014 at 1:37 am - Reply

    You would be ideal playing for the Spurs.

  7. Patrick Day June 18, 2014 at 5:36 am - Reply

    Love the site. Multi talented. Wanted to say great blog. I look forward to seeing what else you put up in the future. As long as you all learn the lessons you just spoke of and put in the work I see us with a bright future. People tend to forget that you all are very young yet and as your bodies catch up and you reach your primes, you will be much better as a team.

  8. Davie Yang June 18, 2014 at 6:41 am - Reply

    Another great post Gordon! No doubt the Spurs are a team that the Jazz should try to emulate, especially with the focus on team offense and defense. I really hope you’re back with us next season where the situation is looking to be a lot more stable. This upcoming season is the true year of discovery. Also, I believe that your 3-point percentage was an anomaly last season; good luck with fixing that kink this off-season.

  9. City of Champions June 29, 2014 at 11:20 pm - Reply

    Come to the Celtics. You will be treated like a king in the best sports city in the country. Effort, ethic and hustle are what we appreciate most. Here’s hoping for a sign and trade.

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