31-year old forward Matt Bonner is getting decent playing time as Tim Duncan’s backup so far this year. Bonner has played in 23 games (1 start) for the Spurs so far this year and he is averaging 19.6 minutes, 6.9 points, 3.3 rebounds and 0.9 assists per game. Bonner is shooting 41.9% (39 of 93) from three point range so far, which is pretty solid for a power forward. The Spurs like the contrast in styles between Tim Duncan (power player) and Matt Bonner (finesse player). The Spurs are also confident enough in Bonner to let him get some spot starts when they want to give Tim Duncan a day off.

27-year old center Tiago Splitter has been taking his game to a new level as of late. In his last five games, Splitter is averaging 14.6 points, 7.4 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game. If he keeps playing like he is right now, he’s going to start stealing minutes from Tim Duncan and DeJuan Blair. Splitter has now played in 19 games (0 starts) for the Spurs so far this year and he is averaging 20.9 minutes, 9.2 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game on 63.2% shooting from the floor. The Spurs waited a few years on Splitter before he came to the states, but it has been worth it.

The Spurs were considering using the amnesty clause to cut 31-year old small forward Richard Jefferson before the 2011-12 season began. They have to be glad that they didn’t do it as Jefferson is playing very well for the Spurs so far this year. Jefferson has played in 9 games (all starts) for the Spurs so far this year and he is averaging 29.9 minutes, 14.1 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.0 assist per game. Jefferson is shooting 51.7% from the floor so far this year and a incredible 58% (28 of 50) from three point range! The Spurs should let Jefferson shoot more to help them make up for the loss of Manu Ginobili.

22-year old C/PF DeJuan Blair is really playing solid basketball for the Spurs so far this year. He has now played in 6 games (all starts) for the Spurs so far this year and he is averaging 24.5 minutes, 13.8 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.0 assist per game. The Spurs should consider playing Blair more minutes as he is clearly a better basketball player than his backup, Tiago Splitter. The Spurs need to start going with youth and Blair is a solid player to start to rebuild around in the future.

Sure, the 2010-11 season ending in disappointing fashion, but it was still a good year for the Spurs. 62-year old head coach Gregg Popovich led the Spurs to a 61-21 (74.4%) record during the regular season and he was 2-4 (33.3%) during the playoffs. He now has a career record of 797-383 (67.5%) during the regular season for the Spurs and he is 108-73 (59.7%) during the playoffs. The Spurs have won 4 NBA Titles on Popovich’s watch and he might add more trophies before his career is over. He will be in Basketball’s Hall of Fame at some point in the near future, book it.