Something to prove

The San Antonio Spurs are in a dog fight with the Memphis Grizzlies, who lead the Spurs 2-1 in this first round series. In this series, Spurs fans have seen Manu Ginobili come back from injury to help the Spurs win game two, Tim Duncan record a double-double, and much more.

However, as this series moves forward, there are a few individuals with something to prove in the playoffs and especially in this series against the Grizzlies.

The Spurs’ bigs:

One of the storylines of this series is the Spurs’ glaring weakness against Memphis’ Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph. Both are completely dominating the Spurs’ bigs of Duncan, Antonio McDyess, DeJuan Blair and Matt Bonner. Time after time in any post-game recap this will be mentioned.

So with all these back-handed comments at the Spurs’ bigs, if they want to prove the naysayers wrong, prove they can contend with the Grizzlies’ bigs, and are enough for San Antonio to combat Memphis’ size, it has to be now.

Duncan:

With an NBA resume full of countless accolades throughout his NBA career, Duncan has nothing to prove to anyone. However, it has been obvious Duncan lost a step or two but the two-time NBA MVP had his minutes reduced during the regular season for the playoffs. As the Spurs’ main threat against Memphis’ size, Duncan has to prove he still has something left in the tank to help propel the Spurs into the second round of the playoffs and to write-off those who said he isn’t the player he once was.

Spurs:

They boasted the best record for most of the NBA season, had a 12 and 10 game winning streak, and finished tops in the Western Conference, securing the best record in the West. Yet, many felt this team was overrated, in particular, former NBA great Charles Barkley. Now as Memphis has San Antonio down in the series and have Spurs fans a bit worried about the outcome of this series, the Spurs must prove they can come out of this frist round series, that their regular season performance was no fluke and that this team is good as advertised.

Tony Parker:

It’s no secret Parker is struggling in this series against Memphis. He is shooting 34% while his counterpart, Mike Conley, is a steady force for Memphis. He needs to prove he can step it up for San Antonio and prove that his name deserves to be mentioned with the best of the best among current NBA point guards.

Gregg Popovich and R.C. Buford:

It didn’t take a genius to see the lack of size was an issue for this team. Spurs fans were very vocal and crossed their fingers in the hopes the Spurs would land a quality big man to help shore up the undersized Spurs frontline. The trade deadline came and went, and nothing was done to address this need.

Now, as the Grizzlies’ duo of Gasol and Randolph have their way against the Spurs, Popovich and Buford must prove their inaction to address this need was right all along.

OK Spurs fans, time for you to chime in. Who do you think has something to prove in the playoffs for the Spurs?