ANOTHER PLAYOFF PUSH FOR POPOVICH?

The San Antonio Spurs and Gregg Popovich never cease to amaze us. Despite much talk during the first few games of the regular season until now, the team from Texas is currently sitting in 8th place, a spot that grants them access to the playoffs. It’s amazing how season after season, the Spurs can remain competitive while changing some of their key players, proving everyone that their system along with their incredible professional organization is what truly holds them down.

With Portland’s loss yesterday at home against the Phoenix Suns, they’ve climbed up to the last playoff spot in the Western Conference. Except the top 6 spots who are almost a lock to make it, the other two remaining seeds are completely up for grabs this season, as the Conference is not so balanced like previous years. Portland, San Antonio, Oklahoma, Phoenix and Memphis will be the teams trying to fight for a chance at postseason come April. With Jusuf Nurkic and Zach Collins returning at some point this season, the Blazers will certainly gain an edge on this race.

What’s even more incredible to think about the position the Spurs are on, it’s the fact that from November 9 to November 22 they went on a 8-game losing streak, starting to led people believe that this was finally the year where the Gregg Popovich would miss the playoffs. Even though it’s not a guarantee they would make it, they seem to be in better shape than on previous weeks, as DeRozan and Aldridge along with the Spurs role players are performing at a much higher level. It’s going to be interesting to see what the Spurs approach will be on the trade deadline as well as in the buyout market. They’ll be looking for some new players if they want to push for a playoff spot, or check what’s the trade value of DeRozan and Aldridge if their record gets a lot worse until there.