SAN ANTONIO, TX – OCTOBER 29: Marco Belinelli #18 of the San Antonio Spurs shoots the ball against the Dallas Mavericks (Photos by Mark Sobhani/NBAE via Getty Images)
Since his return, San Antonio Spurs shooting guard Marco Belinelli has been a catalyst in the organization’s surging offense.
Last season provided a wakeup call for head coach Gregg Popovich, who watched as his smart and defensively gifted squad crumbled at the hands of Golden State in the first round of the playoffs.
It’s become a scorers league and the only way to truly compete is by putting shooters on the floor. This made the decision to reunite with sharpshooter Marco Belinelli effortless for Pop and the front office.
As a crucial member of the Spurs’ 2014 Championship run, Belinelli put the NBA on notice with his distinctive ability to knock down difficult jumpers and show up in the clutch. After a three-year detour between four different teams, (Sacramento, Charlotte, Atlanta and Philadelphia) Marco decided it was time to reconvene with his Spurs family back in San Antonio; except the core he knew is a thing of the past.
Marco, with the help of his pal Patty Mills, has reinvigorated the championship DNA that surged San Antonio during their back-to-back Finals appearances just five seasons ago. His quick wits and corporate knowledge of the Spurs way has helped a whole new lineup to assimilate to the team’s methodology while also inviting and accepting the individual strengths of the newcomers.
Though it’s only been a short while, Belinelli’s return to the Alamo City has done dividends for a team that ranked 27th in points per game in the 2017-18 season. His ability to spot up from the perimeter or move the ball in a motion-based scheme is crucial in reestablishing the organization’s coveted “beautiful basketball” of the past.