The San Antonio Spurs ended their Rodeo Road Trip in usual fashion with a winning record. The team's nine game road trip ended at 7-2, mainly with the help of NBA MVP candidate Tony Parker.
Parker played well in every game, with the exception of their last game of the trip against Phoenix where he was injured with a triceps contusion. The Spurs' two losses were disappointments to some, loses against the Detroit Pistons and Golden State Warriors.
The Rodeo Road Trip is typically seen as "bonding time" for the team, as they're away from their families and with their teammates for most of the time. If this year compares to past seasons, it may be that the Spurs got more in sync during this trip than they've been throughout the season so far. The team's defense was impressive also.
They allowed more than 95 points throughout this trip only three times against the Detroit Pistons, Sacramento Kings, and Golden State Warriors. Their offense was also a show in itself as they scored over 100 points in seven of the nine games (two of them losses).
The one thing all Spurs fans can take from this whole road trip is Tony Parker's leadership on the team.
The team wouldn't have won or have come as long as they did in the losses without Parker's talents. Tony Parker has averaged 26.6ppg, 8.4apg, and 4rpg this month and has been the catalyst of the team on both ends of the floor. Parker has been strong in every game of the Rodeo Road Trip with the exception of the last game against the Phoenix Suns, where Parker sat out with a right triceps contusion. He's been the only steady player throughout this road trip and it should put him up as a serious Most Valuable Player candidate this season next to Lebron James.
With an impressive 7-2 record from this road trip, the Spurs have earned their next month's easy schedule of 14 games. Those games have the majority at home, with only two away.
With the team pushing the Oklahoma City Thunder and those who want to get closer to the first seed away by a few more games, they'll be awarded with the luxury of resting stars for the playoffs every now and then from now on.
The Spurs having a winning record in the Rodeo Road Trip has usually brought success in the playoffs and this year it might play a huge part. With the rest they'll be awarded, it will be less likely they'll be running out of gas during the playoffs like previous years.