The 2015-16 Golden State Warriors are a wrecking crew of legendary proportions, and San Antonio Spurs guard Manu Ginobili has yet to figure out the blueprint to beat the Dubs.
In a self-written column for Argentinian newspaper La Nacion (h/t Pounding the Rock), Ginobili said “it really doesn’t seem possible” to stop Golden State, and San Antonio found that out the hard way.
“Obviously [Stephen] Curry can’t have a good night. But the rest of the team can’t have a good night either, like they had against us and in so many other games. I don’t know if there’s a way to beat them, but for now I don’t care. I would in May or June. Beating them now only counts as one win, nothing more.”
Ginobili — who is currently recovering testicular surgery — commended Golden State for “playing truly extraordinary basketball” but said the Spurs will focus on beating the Warriors “when it’s do-or-die time.”
Fortunately for San Antonio, the club has three more chances to learn first-hand what makes Curry and his teammates so great. The reigning MVP poured in 37 points when the Dubs thrashed the Spurs 120-90 in late January. Golden State limited flashy free-agent signing LaMarcus Aldridge to five points.
Per ESPN’s Marc Stein, San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich said he would buy a ticket to watch the Warriors. If there is higher praise in the NBA, good luck finding it.
Now, the craziest part about Ginobili’s comment is the Spurs are the No. 2 team in the league and on a historical pace of their own. By finishing 19-10, San Antonio will register the best record in franchise history. Considering the club is currently 45-8, that’s beyond realistic.
The Spurs will host Golden State on March 19 and April 10, while Warriors fans will rock Oracle Arena when Ginobili and Co. are in town on April 7.
Since two of those matchups are during the final four games of the 2015-16 campaign, Popovich may elect to rest a few starters if the Western Conference standings are set and willingly take a loss or two.
After all, regular-season victories only matter in helping a team reach the playoffs. Once the second season begins, wins and losses will really count — and the Spurs must have an answer for the unbeatable Warriors.