September 26, 2023

‘We Can Wear a Lot of Teams Down’

The NFL season is underway, and so are the first few weeks of football. The New England Patriots have been dominating the league, but they may not be able to do it forever.

The started from the bottom now we here meme is a phrase that has been used in rap songs. It is meant to say that someone started at the bottom and made it to the top of their game.

Veteran leaders like David Robinson, Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili used to be a part of Gregg Popovich’s San Antonio Spurs teams. Spurs basketball is entering a new era, led by young players like Dejounte Murray and Keldon Johnson. Popovich, on the other hand, is expected to rely on the team’s longest-tenured NBA player.

This season, Thaddeus Young may become a major Popovich confidant. When the deadline comes around, he may be a major trade target, but he appears to believe the Spurs have a chance to make a playoff run.

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Gregg Popovich and the Spurs benefit from Thaddeus Young’s experience.

Thad Young, the Spurs’ sage, says he’s “a voice behind coach Pop” and his staff, and that he’s still “instilling the will that I bring to the court, all the intangible things I do.”

October 17, 2021 — Tom Orsborn (@tom orsborn)

As part of the DeMar DeRozan sign-and-trade, the Spurs acquired Thaddeus Young from the Chicago Bulls. The Spurs might have attempted to trade Young to another team, but they decided to keep him. As a kind of wingman for Gregg Popovich, he should now play an important role.

Young is San Antonio’s most seasoned player, with one of the NBA’s youngest average ages. As a player in his sixth club, he has played under a variety of coaches. As a result, he’s a must-have for Popovich on the court and in the locker room.

Young informed reporters, including Tom Orsborn of the San Antonio Express-News, that this season he would be “a voice behind coach Pop,” as well as someone who can lead by example and bring certain intangibles to the court.

In a deep Western Conference, the Spurs may struggle to win games, and Young may find himself on a new club by February. San Antonio, on the other hand, may surprise basketball fans this season, according to the 33-year-old.

Young thinks the Spurs have a chance to go above and beyond expectations.

Thad Young, when asked whether the Spurs can surprise people, said:

“I believe we can… We can wear out a lot of teams if we go out to the races and get our horses moving, making sure we’re pushing the speed and the pace.”

October 17, 2021 — Tom Orsborn (@tom orsborn)

In the past two seasons, the Spurs have won a total of 65 games. They’re in the midst of another transitional phase, this time without DeRozan. Young, on the other hand, thinks San Antonio can improve.

According to Orsborn, Young was asked on Sunday whether he believes the Spurs can “surprise” people. He argued that if the Spurs play at a quick tempo, they might profit from their youth.

“I believe we can… We can wear out a lot of teams if we go out to the races and get our horses moving, making sure we’re pushing the speed and the pace.”

Young, Thaddeus

Gregg Popovich isn’t known for preaching about playing with speed.

Popovich has the luxury of routing the offense via Duncan for many years. The Spurs were 22nd in the NBA in pace the last time they reached the playoffs (2019).

Pop, on the other hand, has obviously tried to change his coaching approach, as his club has finished in the center of the league in that statistic for the last two seasons. Murray could be used as a larger point guard, with Johnson and Doug McDermott being able to shoot from beyond the arc at will.

Young can assist the Spurs throughout their transition. But in the half court, he’ll be much more crucial. Last season, the New Orleans native excelled as an undersized 4-man for the Chicago Bulls. During the 2020-21 season, he averaged a career-high 4.3 assists as a facilitator who could set up teammates with rub screens and locate off-ball cutters. Young also provided the Bulls with more chances by working tirelessly on the offensive glass.

It will be interesting to see whether Young can help the Spurs improve year over year this season. If San Antonio is battling to remain in postseason contention, he will almost certainly be moved. His skill set may be useful to a variety of teams in need of frontcourt depth.

Another disappointing season is expected to raise further doubts about Popovich’s future with the team.

When will Gregg Popovich call it a day?

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images and Nic Antaya/Getty Images | Left to Right: Gregg Popovich (L) and Thaddeus Young (R) |

As a head coach, Gregg Popovich doesn’t have much more to prove. He’s won five titles and is just 26 victories away from overtaking Lenny Wilkens and Don Nelson as the NBA’s all-time winningest coach.

Is Pop’s career coming to a close?

According to ESPN’s Jordan Schultz, the Spurs are planning for Popovich to step down “within the next 1-2 years.” There’s a broad feeling that he’s getting ready for the next chapter.

If Young and Co. make a surprise run to the playoffs, Popovich may decide to coach another season. Otherwise, Pop’s last campaign may be in 2021-22.

Basketball Reference provided the statistics.

A Spurs legend and future Hall of Famer is on the short list to succeed Gregg Popovich as San Antonio’s head coach.

The came from the bottom lyrics is a song by American rapper Lil Uzi Vert. The song’s lyrics talk about how he came up from the bottom and was able to make it.