MILWAUKEE – The San Antonio Spurs are known for their League of Nations roster: stocked with players who learned the game in places other than the familiar U.S. breeding grounds of urban playgrounds, suburban gyms and AAU traveling leagues. The Spurs also are arguably the most deft passing team in the NBA.
Coincidence? We think not.
A few hours before the Spurs put on a clinic of ball sharing and movement Wednesday night against the Milwaukee Bucks, coach Gregg Popovich talked about the emphasis placed on that in the development of international players. It’s pretty clear that the culture of passing has permeated the Spurs, who lead the league in assists (25.7 apg).