Defense is the key

[dbestpro]

No one is going to come to the rescue. Spurs must embrace team defense if they will have a chance for a ring. The perimeter defense is absolutely horrible. Bonner is too slow of foot, Tony's man is always lighting it up as he can't handle a pick, Mason doesn't rotate, Hill keeps getting lost and Manu keeps getting burned trying to make a steal.

Return to a defensive commitment and intensity is our only hope.

[MaNu4Tres]

Another 7 footer with an average bb IQ would be ideal for this team's defense.

[dbestpro]

It is the perimeter defense that sucks. Wide open jump shot after jump shot. That's on the guards and forwards.

[MaNu4Tres]

It would be easier for the perimeter defense if they had another anchor in the middle like they had with Drob and I hate to say it but with Rasho as well. With rasho playing 24 minutes for us in 2004 we held teams to 84 points per game.

[MaNu4Tres]

But I do agree our perimter defense needs to improve. Lack of athleticism on the wing is the main culprit for the lack of perimeter defense ( quicker on defensive rotations, being able to run out to shooters and also be cautious to defend the drive at the same time, ect.)

[SenorSpur]

This should come as no surprise. We've been witnessing this type of defenisve slippage all year. The Spurs have gradually slipped to a "middle-of-the-pack" defensive team. It's amusing to keep hearing and reading game previews where experts keep referring to them as a "great" defensive team. Unfortunately, that is no longer the case.

[dbestpro]

What is frustrating is Parker is in his prime and the opposing pg lights us up every night.

[Spurs Brazil]

Game after game the defense gets worst instead of get better.

It's time to go back to old Bruce in the starting 5 and playing 30-35 minutes.

Finley can't play more than 10-12 minutes

[LockBeard]

This defense is pitiful.

This is not Spurs basketball. There is no way the Spurs have any chance at reaching the finals with this ozone hole in the paint.

[HarlemHeat37]

as I've been saying since December..our lack of a big is overrated, it's not going to help our D significantly..WE WERE AN ELITE DEFENSIVE TEAM WITH FAB OBERTO IN THE FRONT COURT..THE BIG MAN IS NOT THE PRIMARY ISSUE..

the perimeter D on this team is horrible, and something needs to change..Bowen needs to start playing big minutes again, at least 25 MPG..

we can't be playing Parker-Mason-Finley together for significant minutes..all 3 of them are below average team defenders..also, when you have Bonner in the frontcourt, the perimeter D needs to be very strong..it's the complete opposite with us, since we're starting 3 weak defenders in the backcourt..

this team isn't going anywhere without D, and it starts in the perimeter..we're allowing constant penetration, there's no funneling going on..

it's tough to play good D when your 3 best perimeter defenders are on the bench..Bowen, Manu, Hill..and the 3rd best overall defender on the team is on the bench as well..Kurt Thomas..

[Manufan909]

We'll go with Tim over your overraeacting ass every day of the week. Come back when you get sober.

[Texas_Ranger]

Mason Bonner and Fin are just plain poor defenders, they are not gonna get any better, you either need to get a shot blocker so they can play tight and force their man to the paint, or get more scorers so you can outscore everyone like LA. This team is what it is.......soft as a milk shake inside and out......lose to the fuckn raps and knicks even on several days rest. Fuck what TD says move a bunch of has beens and never will bes for someone who can play.

Parker's defense also sucks this year!

[Manu-of-steel]

parker can be an above average defender if he chooses to. i think he's not playing with passion. plus finley's poor defense, then we have a poor defensive team.

[SenorSpur]

parker can be an above average defender if he chooses to. i think he's not playing with passion. plus finley's poor defense, then we have a poor defensive team.

Parker has been surprisingly ineffective on the defensive end. That means 3 out of the 5 starters have been sucking defensively. And Pop wonders why the slipppage?

[HarlemHeat37]

Duncan's actually our only good starting defensive player IMO..

all of our other best defensive players are on the bench..Bowen, Thomas, Manu, Hill..

[timaios]

Parker is not supposed to defend the paint.
When a PG score at will in the paint, it's not only his fault.
It's a team problem.
Duncan is very alone in the paint.
The Spurs need Bowen and KT in the starting line up.
KT is very effective with his 15 ft shots, so he bring scoring.
And Bowen is the reason why the Spurs defense sucks...
When he is on the court he brings a defense mentality to the team.

[ElNono]

Actually, the problem this year so far is that we've failed to do what Pop wants to do: Make the opposing player drive baseline so TD can meet them at the side of the rim. When an opposing player drives right through the middle, our defense brakes down completely. Either TD needs to foul and risks an and1, or the collapse opens up the shooters on the perimeter. Our perimeter players need to help in this by staying in front of their man, and taking them to the baseline. But we've consistently been beat off the dribble at the top of the key. It will not matter if we add another big or not if we keep playing like this. Once a opposing player is coming full speed right through the middle we're done.