Spurs Need Physicality Upgrade?

In the Tim Duncan era, the San Antonio Spurs played a physical, "boring" brand of basketball. With Duncan as the franchise player, the game was naturally played without flash but garnered respect from the opposing teams. Physicality and fundamentals ruled the day when the Spurs came to town.

However, after the Spurs' 120-117 loss to the Miami Heat, Gregg Popovich and Jeremy Sochan revealed their lack of physicality.

"Miami is a great physicality team to get after you; we let that get to us," Popovich said. "15 turnovers in the first half, six in the second half did a much better job of moving the basketball being in flow, and not holding the ball or being held up by their defense and their physicality."

Although the Spurs won the rebound battle 50-36, the Heat's physicality bothered the Victor Wembanyama-led team. Miami finished with a mere nine turnovers to the Spurs' 21. In a preseason game where nerves are high and young players make a multitude of mistakes, the Heat kept it together against the more youthful Spurs.

Popovich said the Spurs' G League affiliate is around the same age as his team, so he figured the main roster needed more reps.

Sochan also sang the same song as Popovich regarding the issues Miami caused San Antonio.

"I think you can realize an experienced team like Miami; you know how physical they are, Sochan said." We had way too many turnovers today, so it's just learning from a team like that who's experienced and been through battles."

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Physicality wasn't an issue in Chris Paul's prime. However, in his 39th season, Paul can't exert too much strength, as he's more prone to injury at this stage in his career. Furthermore, Wembanyama can't risk injury as the sole physical force on the team. The Spurs must tie up their boots and get to work, as Duncan isn't walking through that door anytime soon.