Deep bench providing huge lift for Spurs

With a truncated two-week training camp and a shortened regular season that numbers just 66 games, the 2011-12 NBA season could come down to one simple factor for many teams- depth or a lack thereof. Through their first 20 games, the San Antonio Spurs have been practically unbeatable at home with an impressive 10-1 record at the AT&T Center but they are just 2-8 away from home. However, no matter whether they've been at home or on the road, one thing has been a huge plus for the Spurs so far this year and that has been their second unit. This group, which features the likes of second-year big man Tiago Splitter, sharpshooter Gary Neal, Danny Green, long-range specialist Matt Bonner, James Anderson and rookie Cory Joseph, has been rock solid to say the least. Through 20 games, the Spurs bench was chipping in around 39 points per contest, solid numbers indeed. Factor in the fact that Neal missed time earlier this year due to injury and that backup point guard T.J. Ford, a former University of Texas standout, is currently sidelined with a hamstring issue and this is a second unit that hasn't been at full strength yet this year. Another key contributor off the pine for San Antonio head coach Gregg Popovich is rookie Kawhi Leonard, but the 6-foot-7 small forward was recently thrust into the starting five as a fill-in for Manu Ginobili, who suffered a broken hand in early January and is slated to miss about six weeks. But this unit hasn't missed a beat. In fact, in Sunday's overtime loss at Dallas, it was that Spurs second unit that led a furious second-half comeback. Popovich was so pleased with how his bench had performed that he basically left them in from the waning stages of the third period, all through the fourth and overtime. Sure, the Spurs eventually lost 101-100 in the extra frame but their head coach is clearly pleased with how well his second unit has performed through 20 games. "The bench has been really good for us in a lot of games. The young kids have done a good job, brought energy and actually scored for us because we've been offensively challenged quite often in periods of the game," Popovich said. "I think in Minnesota, we didn't score for seven minutes in the fourth quarter. But in general, the young kids have given us some of that. They've been good." But the Spurs head coach isn't alone in his praise for what the second unit has done thus far for San Antonio. The guys who are part of that group agree they've brought a lot to the floor every night, but each member knows they can always do more. "I think the bench has been great. Tiago, Danny, Cory and of course Matt Bonner with the way he shoots the ball and spaces the floor, the bench has been great," Neal said. "Of course, you can always get better and there are situations you wish you could have played better, but I think overall, collectively as a group the bench has been good." Green added: "I think overall we've done a pretty good job of coming in and bringing the energy that we need. It hasn't been as consistent as we would like to keep it but for the most part, for the experience that we lack and the young guys that we have, we've done a pretty good job." As one of the most experienced members of the Spurs bench, Bonner knows exactly how crucial depth can be for any team hoping to make a long run in the postseason and he sees that as being a huge asset for him and his teammates going forward. "Well, with the condensed schedule, depth is important. You can't play your starters 40 minutes a night you won't make it through the schedule," Bonner said. "We trust in everybody on our roster to come in and contribute. That's what we've done. We've come in, tried to contribute energy and give a little boost on nights when we need it." Even with injuries, guys filling in as starters and the like, no matter who has been getting on the floor, the Spurs second unit has continued to bring it and on several occasions, has helped keep Popovich's team in games. But that's exactly what a bench is supposed to do according to one member of this talented group. "That's bound to happen every year. The NBA season is a long season," Green said. "Guys are going to get hurt, guys are going to have injuries, especially with this hectic schedule we have this year. Games are coming more often than usual. We have to trust each other. We have young guys that have potential and can play. That's why everybody has to stay ready on the bench. Guys go down, we have somebody step up and pick up the slack a little bit. I think it's been very important. Hopefully in the future, that will help make our bench a lot deeper."