NBA Playoffs 2017: 5 things we learned from the Warriors beating the Spurs

4. San Antonio needs to get younger

One thing was blatantly obvious in this series: the Spurs’ lack of youth was one of the key reasons that the Spurs couldn’t keep up Golden State. In the playoffs, there were a lot of key players in the rotation that were over 30 years old. The Spurs had five guys over 30-years old that were playing key minutes for them. From their starting point guard, Tony Parker, before he got injured to sixth-man Manu Ginobili, the Spurs’ age was obvious against a youthful Golden State squad.

Coach Popovich is a master of managing minutes and using 10-11 guys in the rotation. Kawhi Leonard was the Spurs’ leader in minutes per game during the postseason at only 35.8. But Tony Parker at age 34 was averaging 26 minutes per game or Pau Gasol at 36 years old was playing 22 minutes a night. Manu Ginobili at age 39 was good for about 18 minutes a game.

When San Antonio has to resort to playing guys for significant minutes who have lots of mileage on their bodies, they’re at a huge disadvantage against young and rested teams like the Warriors. Golden State’s four leaders in minutes are all 28-years or under. The only rotation guys that are over 30-years old are Andre Iguodala, Shaun Livingston and Zaza Pachulia.

The speed and pace at which the Warriors play is impeccable and it seemed like the Spurs couldn’t keep up with them — not because of injuries or lack of bodies, because of the age of the players that did play.

It’ll be an important offseason for R.C. Buford and San Antonio. They’ll have to figure out a way to replenish youthful talent. Jonathon Simmons and Dejounte Murray are young and up-and-coming players who will see more minutes next year. But they’re going to have to find younger big men to be able to compete with the youth of Golden State.