For years I have marveled in the San Antonio Spurs ability to keep a bench of players who can make a difference. So many teams spend their money on a “big three” and leave no funds for the other twelve players.
During the Drive for Five, San Antonio’s starting team of Tony Parker, Danny Green, Kawhi Leonard, Tim Duncan, and Tiago Splitter often went into substitution mode down against teams with a stronger starting squad. In particular, the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, and New Orleans Pelicans would push the Spurs and often expose some weakness.