Interesting stat on the Spurs in today's NBA.com Power Rankings

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

http://www.nba.com/powerrankings/



12 San Antonio (7) 0-2 Off: 117.5 (2), Def: 121.0 (30) -- Don't let the per-game numbers fool you. The Spurs have given up just 203 points through their first two games, but when you factor in their painfully slow pace, you realize that they are the worst defensive team in the NBA. Yes, that's right. The San Antonio Spurs. I'm serious!




Now, I don't care that we're 12th...not a big deal. What was surprising was the #30 ranking in points given up per 100 possessions. Granted, Phoenix and Portland both played well and gave us all they had, but still alarming, nonetheless.

It felt like Phoenix and Portland were scoring at will against us, and I guess that feeling was right. The only hint I had of "Spurs defense" in the last two games was when the Spurs were playing small ball with Udoka in the 4th quarter against the Blazers.

I'm sure that stat will improve, but I had to point it out as I don't think I've ever seen us at #30 defensively...ever.

[TwoHandJam]

It may be true but it's kinda hard to read anything from a 2 game sample. It's just not statistically significant. I'm sure if we ran the numbers on other teams for different categories you'd get some strange results with such a small sample size.

[Anti.Hero]

Tim Duncan



&



*crickets*

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

It may be true but it's kinda hard to read anything from a 2 game sample. It's just not statistically significant. I'm sure if we ran the numbers on other teams for different categories you'd get some strange results with such a small sample size.

True. I'm sure we'll climb out of the defensive cellar. I kind of doubt we'll be at #2 in offensive efficiency at the end of the year either, I'm just not accustomed to seeing the "Spurs" and "last in defense" mentioned together.

[z0sa]

Let's all shed some tears over the first two games of the season and/or the power rankings

just keep hitting the snooze button til march, fellas.

[timvp]

Yeah, the Spurs need to get back to the defense they played earlier in the decade. Last season was statistically the worst defensive team of the Tim Duncan Era. If they don't improve on their numbers from last year, it won't matter how well players like Mason and Hill help offensively.

Not a very good start to the season, in that regards.

[z0sa]

Yeah, the Spurs need to get back to the defense they played earlier in the decade. Last season was statistically the worst defensive team of the Tim Duncan Era. If they don't improve on their numbers from last year, it won't matter how well players like Mason and Hill help offensively.

Not a very good start to the season, in that regards.

Manu and Fabricio being out is like having 2 wheels instead of 4, when it comes to defense. Fabricio might not block shots but his positioning and intangibles are excellent.

Hate to beat a dead horse but with playing time, Bonner will improve (something tells me you will disagree with this :bang)

Besides Bowen, Manu's got to be our best perimeter defender just from his experience in the system.

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

Let's all shed some tears over the first two games of the season and/or the power rankings

just keep hitting the snooze button til march, fellas.


That's fine if the Spurs can flip the switch. Last year they never really did (weren't able to) flip the switch. We were inside Phoenix' heads, and then used experience to beat NO, but that was all she wrote. Last year was the first time in several years that I didn't see that big leap in effort, and/or results, after March 1.

And this year Parker and Duncan are already playing with a sense of urgency, and the fact that Pop is playing the heck out of TD means that he's coaching with one, which makes this anomaly on defense a little more distressing. The guys aren't sleep-walking out there, they're just getting beat. Beyond Duncan, Parker and perhaps Mason, the Spurs are not very good at this point.

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

Man. I just read my post and I sound a little Sequ-esque. Don't get me wrong, I still think we'll pull it together and fight for the title. Pop will pull some magic out of his hat and/or beard, I'm sure about that.

[z0sa]

Man. I just read my post and I sound a little Sequ-esque. Don't get me wrong, I still think we'll pull it together and fight for the title. Pop will pull some magic out of his hat and/or beard, I'm sure about that.

No, actually your points are well grounded. The thing is, the Spurs have found themselves in this position again and again (99 and that 7-9 start, 03 before that 32-4 run after the All-star break, hell even 07 when it was clear there were gonna be no trades or pickups, it was going to be this team or no team.)

[Manufan909]

I loved when Pop announce that in 07. He basically told the media to STFU with all the trade rumors.

I won't be able to have a valid opinion til I have seen Hill/Farmer/Ian/Manu/Fab all for 10+ games, and to see if Finley and Mason can keep it up, and if KT and Bruce can get back on track.

Two games with only ten players and 3 bigs shouldn't be considered too highly. Tough luck that's all we have to critique right now.

[DPG21920]

IMO, Bruce has been the main problem so far (lack of depth up front is 1b). Even though it is early, Bruce has had a terrible stretch. Lets hope we get him back on track.

[Allanon]

The defense has been pretty bad. Probably some of the worst defense I've ever seen from the Spurs.

The Offensive game has picked up tremendously though, they're averaging 101 points per game.

[IcemanCometh]

We're old

[Obstructed_View]

There hasn't been anyone that's been decent on defense so far.

[baseline bum]

Yeah, the Spurs need to get back to the defense they played earlier in the decade. Last season was statistically the worst defensive team of the Tim Duncan Era. If they don't improve on their numbers from last year, it won't matter how well players like Mason and Hill help offensively.

Not a very good start to the season, in that regards.

I don't think they can. Our offseason plan always seems like it's to pray that Bruce doesn't get old this year. This is the first time since about '02 that I thought this team didn't have a realistic shot at a title without a major shake-up. This team is so dependent on Bowen's ability to go out and completely lock down every superstar SG/SF in the league, especially when Manu and Fin couldn't guard a pet rock.

[Rick Von Braun]

It may be true but it's kinda hard to read anything from a 2 game sample. It's just not statistically significant. I'm sure if we ran the numbers on other teams for different categories you'd get some strange results with such a small sample size.

Bingo! :whine

[Avitus1]

2 Games in is to soon to throw the team under the bus.

[Indazone]

Is it the individual defense or the team help defense that is killing you guys?

[DPG21920]

More the help defense and transition defense. For the most part everyone is doing their job one-on-one (except Bowen who keeps getting out of position).

[Kongfu]

In fact,we don't need big deals

[ShoogarBear]

little


Sequ-esque

[21_Blessings]

The Lakers are now the best defensive team in the league. And that won't be changing anytime soon with Bynum patrolling the paint.

[Indazone]

More the help defense and transition defense. For the most part everyone is doing their job one-on-one (except Bowen who keeps getting out of position).

Then this is easily fixable and Bowen just needs to get his timing back.

[tlongII]

A year older. A year slower. It's no surprise that the Spurs' defense is deteriorating. The Spurs are small up front and their best perimeter defender is 37 years old. It is what it is.

[wildbill2u]

iT'S VERY STRANGE THAT BOWEN IS OUT OF POSITION. HE KNOWS THE DEFENSE BACKWARD AND FORWARDS AND THE PLAYER OPPOSITION AS WELL.

[Killakobe81]

I think it's agreat point defense has been weak but offense has been IMPRESIVE especially without Manu ...My concern is Duncan and TP wearing down but hey it's not MY team ...

[Manufan909]

Shit Pop just needs to encourage Mason to take more shots. Him, Ime, and Finley all need to be ready for the kickout from Tim or Tony, and when it comes to Mason, he just needs to attack more. It's obvious he's holding back. I know he can't stay at 83% 3FG foreever, but he needs to take more, as long as they're decent shot.