The Notebook: Spurs-Bucks, 11/12/08

I don't have a lot of time so I'll keep my remarks brief. Obviously it's easy to let a game like last night's game against the Bucks get to you. Former manifestations of the Spurs would have won the game handily, but in November of 2008 you have to mentally prepare yourself for the idea that we are going to lose games like this. Michael Finley stepped up for the second night in a row, but we need more than just one other person besides Duncan to have a decent shooting night in order to add a couple more notches to the win column. I don't know how consistent Roger Mason Jr. can be on the offensive side of the court. For the first several games he looked phenomenal, while the last two have brought him back down to earth. All I know is that if we don't see some offensive consistency out of Mason than this month will be even more trying than originally expected.

Another player who needs to step up is Ime Udoka. By making him a starter we are giving him an opportunity to solidify his place in the rotation for the rest of the season. He has responded by scoring 8 points over the course of the last two games. Although often spoke of as Bowen's heir apparent, he has a more diverse offensive game than the aging defensive specialist. He is capable of more than he has been showing.

I take some issue with the fact that Desmon Farmer got a DNP-CD. He was brought in to be an offensive fire-starter off the bench and that is exactly what we needed during certain stretches last night. If we find ourselves in a similar position in the near future, I'd love to give last year's D-League scoring title holder a chance to prove himself.

I'm not going to go so far as to say games against teams like the Bucks are must wins, but our Friday night match-up with the Rockets certainly won't be any easier. In the coming week, we play Houston, Sacramento, the Clippers, and Denver. All four of those games are winnable, some more than others. When you are a Southwestern division team ravaged by injury, it's important you take care of business when you face middle-of-the-pack opponents.