The shortened season didn’t do any team any favors as far as getting enough time to prepare. In 
essence, these opening games are “practices” or “preseason” games as coaches continue to look at their roster and how to best use their players.
Houston Rockets coach Kevin McHale can attest to this. McHale is still trying to find the right rotations even though Houston has played nine games in the new season.
“We’re still trying to find our rotations, find what we’re going to be doing,” McHale said. “We’re still working on all those things. Trying to find out who’s going to play and when they’re going to play and who they’re going to play with.”
The Rockets will face the San Antonio Spurs tonight in San Antonio and for the Spurs, coach Gregg Popovich could be in the same situation — except it might be due to injuries.
With Manu Ginobili out of action for 6-8 weeks due to a broken hand and backup point guard T.J. Ford suffering a hamstring injury in last night’s loss to the Bucks, these injuries throw the Spurs’ rotations off and now will prove to be a challenge for Pop as the short (but fast-paced) season rages on.
