Supporting cast provided Spurs with huge value

With a shallow-pocketed owner and limited revenue steams, the Spurs have few peers when it comes to stretching dollars.

Combine that with their savvy front office, and it comes as no surprise that the team got massive value last season from their supporting cast — defined as everyone not named Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker. Indeed, not only were those players generally productive, in most cases they vastly outperformed their contracts.

Just look at the numbers dug up in this , using a formula involving win shares and individual salaries. (Follow the link for more details, and the complete table.)

Tiago Splitter and Matt Bonner outperformed their contracts by nearly double. Guys like Kawhi Leonard, Danny Green and DeJuan Blair were even better, playing as much as EIGHT TIMES better than their deals would suggest.

On the flip side, Duncan is suggested to have been overpaid by almost $12 million, but that’s what happens with aging superstars. And he still didn’t even , as compiled by CNBC.

Pop doesn’t give a true explanation for Blair’s demotion

DeJuan Blair started 62 of the Spurs 66 regular-season games, but hasn’t seen much playing time in the playoffs.

He has failed to play in either game in the Oklahoma City series after being benched for the final two games of the sweep over the Clippers.

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich didn’t give an explanation why Blair has been benched, but said he’s pleased with his attitude.

“He’s working hard to be ready if called upon and that’s a great thing,” Popovich said. “He’s got great character and he’s ready to go if I call upon him.”

Spurs’ huge playoff experience advantage has paid dividends

The Spurs have looked much more confident than Utah in the first two games of the series, dominating play virtually throughout in both games.

In the first two games, the Spurs have trailed for only 4 minutes, 40 seconds and have not been behind past the first quarter in either of the games.

One of the biggest reason could be the Spurs’ experience advantage.

In terms of playoff games, the Spurs have played more than double the number of games than Utah with a 622-310 edge.

Here’s the difference in playoffs games between the two teams heading into Saturday’s game. Totals include appearances made in the first two games of the series.

San Antonio Spurs 

Tim Duncan                178        Spurs

Tony Parker               140        Spurs   

Manu Ginobili              124       Spurs

Stephen Jackson           60       Spurs, Pacers, Warriors, Spurs

Boris Diaw                       41       Suns, Bobcats, Spurs

Matt Bonner                   34       Spurs

DeJuan Blair                   16        Spurs

Gary Neal                         8        Spurs

Patty Mills                         7       Trail Blazers, Spurs

Danny Green                    6        Spurs

Tiago Splitter                    4       Spurs

James Anderson              2        Spurs

Kawhi Leonard                2        Spurs

Total                              622       Overall     

Total with Spurs          544

Utah Jazz

Raja Bell                        68          76ers, Mavericks,  Suns

Josh Howard                 64         Mavericks, Jazz

Paul Millsap                  46          Jazz

Jamaal Tinsley             39          Pacers, Jazz

Devin Harris                 39          Mavericks, Jazz

C.J. Miles                      23           Jazz

Al Jefferson                     9          Celtics, Jazz 

Earl Watson                    8           Grizzlies

 Blake Ahearn                 2           Jazz

Alec Burks                       2           Jazz

DeMarre Carroll             2           Jazz

Jeremy Evans                 2           Jazz

Derrick Favors                2           Jazz

Gordon Hayward            2           Jazz

Enes Kanter                     2           Jazz

Total                             310

Total with Jazz              91

LAYER GAMES TEAMS(S) PLAYER GAMES TEAM(S)

Anderson 2 Spurs Ahearn 2 —

Blair 16 Spurs Bell 68 76ers/Mavericks/Suns

Bonner 33 Spurs Burks 2 —

Diaw 41 Suns/Bobcats/Spurs Carroll 2 —

Duncan 178 Spurs Evans 2 —

Ginobili 124 Spurs Favors 2 —

Green 6 Spurs Harris 39 Mavericks

Jackson 60 Spurs/Pacers/Warriors/Bobcats Hayward 2 —

Leonard 2 Spurs Howard 64 Mavericks

Mills 7 Trail Blazers/Spurs Jefferson 9 Celtics

Neal 8 Spurs Kanter 2 —

Parker 140 Spurs Miles 24 Jazz

Splitter 4 Spurs Millsap 46 Jazz

Tinsley 39 Pacers

Watson 9 Grizzlies

Total 622 Total 311

Spurs Total 544 Jazz Total 91