Bench Play Still Critical

Bill Schoening- 20 second time out Spurs point guard Patty Mills is well aware of how important the Spurs reserve unit (also known as the Foreign Legion) is to the success of the team. It's one of the reasons he was so upset at missing the first 31 games of the regular season as he recovered from shoulder surgery. The Spurs utilize and rely on their bench perhaps more than any NBA team, so their production is crucial. After knocking down three long distance shots to help the Spurs beat the Magic Wednesday night, Mills said, "Pop challenged the bench players to play harder, to bring it, and be more productive. I have to be ready to do my part, especially with the energy I can provide on the defensive end by being aggressive on the ball." Apparently, the reserves got the message. After shooting a combined 8 for 29 in the loss to the Clippers, the Spurs bench outscored the Magic bench 41-17, shooting 16 for 29. They also distributed 17 assists with just 4 turnovers. It's just one game and a small sample size, but if the Spurs' bench can play with that type of efficiency on a consistent basis, it will bode well for the final two months of the regular season.