Spurs defense watch..

[HarlemHeat37]

First 6 games: 48.6% FG allowed, 102.5 PPG allowed..
Last 5 games: 40.2% FG allowed, 91.4 PPG allowed..

keep it going..

[ElNono]

What's the split for the last 3 games only?

[ducks]

www.nba.com

[HarlemHeat37]

Last 3 games: 39.7% FG allowed, 91 PPG allowed..

[ElNono]

Last 3 games: 39.7% FG allowed, 91 PPG allowed..

:tu

[timvp]

Good stat work. Hopefully the defense can keep improving.

Tonight I thought we saw the best defensive work of the season by Parker, McDyess and Ratliff. Duncan was also pretty impressive. This team has a lot of defensive potential ... we'll see if they consistently live up to it.

[completely deck]

Yeah, TD looked sharp. :tu

[HarlemHeat37]

The funneling to Duncan has been great the last few games IMO..we saw the start of it when Hill was defending Durant, which constantly had him going to Duncan..we saw a lot of it in the Dallas game, which was by far Duncan's best defensive performance..

Tonight was pure effort..when Parker and Finley are putting in effort like they did tonight, it makes a huge difference..Finley is a lot more tolerable when he's putting in defensive work like he did tonight(not great, but at least passable, which isn't usually what we expect from him), he was even fronting Butler, which was good to see..

[Interrohater]

Nice numbers, thanks Harlem :tu

[bdictjames]

It almost hurts me to see these numbers of the last few games.. the pain is good though.

[alchemist]

they're still fouling way too much

[Ice009]

Welcome back to TPs defense too. Great to see TP back and very pleased to see him bring some defense :).

[booonkers]

good job spurs. this is why im not too worried about the spurs.

[sabar]

Defense is the hard part. The offense will come.
It is far worse to be the offensive juggernaut that can't find their defensive identity.

Good lookup on the stats.

[Danny.Zhu]

First 6 games: 48.6% FG allowed, 102.5 PPG allowed..
Last 5 games: 40.2% FG allowed, 91.4 PPG allowed..

keep it going..

:toast

[angelbelow]

Defense is the hard part. The offense will come.
It is far worse to be the offensive juggernaut that can't find their defensive identity.

Good lookup on the stats.

Agreed, defense needs to be consistent everynight, when that happens we always have a time.

[Chieflion]

As long as the defense is there, we will have a chance to win. The fouls need to be cut down though.

[Spurs Brazil]

Next game I want to see Bogans on Jennings. Play physical with the rookie

[SamoanTD]

nice nice get the D back to where it should be

[Chomag]

Next game I want to see Bogans on Jennings. Play physical with the rookie

This 1X

If we match Bogans on Jennings I think we could get under his skin early on.

[HarlemHeat37]

28th ranked defense after the Raptors game, now it's up to 14th..a 14 spot jump in less than 20 days is absolutely solid, especially when you consider the chemistry issues, the injuries, and the initial rust..

10th in opposing FG% now, jumping up over 10 spots from the previous spot after the Raptors game...

Duncan's defensive +/- is 1st on the team and continues to rise, which coincides with the defensive progress IMO, which is obvious..McDyess' continues to rise, which has also been another big reason..Finley has the worst defensive +/- on the team, which is expected, and obviously it helps that his minutes have gone down..

A lot of work to do, but some great progress so far..

[Interrohater]

I wonder what they would be ranked right now if the defense had been like this from game 1. Would they be top 5?

[Mel_13]

I wonder what they would be ranked right now if the defense had been like this from game 1. Would they be top 5?

Last 5 games:

pt differential: 3rd

opponent ppg: 3rd

opponent fg %: 4th

rebound differential: 2nd

[duhoh]

izza nice?!?!

[Cry Havoc]

28th ranked defense after the Raptors game, now it's up to 14th..a 14 spot jump in less than 20 days is absolutely solid, especially when you consider the chemistry issues, the injuries, and the initial rust..

10th in opposing FG% now, jumping up over 10 spots from the previous spot after the Raptors game...

Duncan's defensive +/- is 1st on the team and continues to rise, which coincides with the defensive progress IMO, which is obvious..McDyess' continues to rise, which has also been another big reason..Finley has the worst defensive +/- on the team, which is expected, and obviously it helps that his minutes have gone down..

A lot of work to do, but some great progress so far..

Just think where we'd be with Manu's "Katie bar the door" approach to defense.

[Cry Havoc]

izza nice?!?!

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_IBX68Zu5CgI/RsRiOxyNdQI/AAAAAAAAAKE/6zIlcIN15ck/s320/very+nice.jpg

[HarlemHeat37]

btw, I wasn't taking a shot at Finley, I was just pointing out that the defense has gotten better since he's taken a reduced role, which helps both the team and Finley himself..he gets to play a role he's better suited for..

[NFGIII]

Things are starting to come together. How long it will take to see the old Spurs D only time will tell. Probably have some lapses here and there but this team is definitely heading in the right direction.

I agree with HarlemHeat37 about Finley's reduced role. Seems to be helping both team and his efforts. So far so good on that front but I'm a little concerned about the long run. Finley always seems to need more time on the floor to get into his groove. How he performs consistently coming off the bench in a limited role over the season is something to watch. Many want him to just disappear but I think that if he can continue to perform like he did against the Rockets over the season it will be a good thing.

Now if they can just figure out how to space RJ and get him more involved. :bang But thankfully it's early.

[Cry Havoc]

Personally, I always feel like the Spurs are where we want them to be (or getting there) when I cannot WAIT for the next game.

Not because I'm thinking they're going to win or lose, but because I'm going to get the chance to see some trademark Spurs basketball.

Right now... I cannot wait for our next game.

[NFGIII]

Personally, I always feel like the Spurs are where we want them to be (or getting there) when I cannot WAIT for the next game.

Not because I'm thinking they're going to win or lose, but because I'm going to get the chance to see some trademark Spurs basketball.

Right now... I cannot wait for our next game.


Yeah I sometimes feel the same way. Last night we could have won that game by the middle of the 4th Q except for some shots that were made against very good D by the Spurs. One in particular was when Landry made a J against Dice in the lane. Dice didn't bite on any fake by Landry and he had to shoot it over Dice as he was falling away. Even PJ stated that it was very good D but better O. Sometomes those things happen.

[Spurs Brazil]

After the win against the Rockets the Spure are in 11th place in FG% defense with 444 and 12th in Opp pts with 97.0

[murpjf88]

the rockets game had little to do with spurs defense and more to do with missed layups.

[raspsa]

Spurs seem to take the 1st half of games to figure tings out then put on the screws in the 3rd. I'd like to see Theo get a bit more laying time.. a shotblocker needs to maintain his timing.. not enough to wear him out, just to help him maintain some rhythm.

[the crimson blur]

the rockets game had little to do with spurs defense and more to do with missed layups.

Yes, because leaning left handed layups by Chuck Hayes over Tim Duncan always go in. Layups aren't always gimme points you know...defense affects layups too. Especially when they were so rushed like the Rockets'. They wanted to get their shot up super quick because they were afraid of the Spurs' length.

The Spurs and Rockets both played great defense.

[SpurNation]

Thanks for the stats. I suspect they'll get even better once a solid rotation is established. And...when the defense gets better...our offense will be better too.

Exciting times ahead for Spur fans.

[SpurNation]

I wonder if that stat follows Matt Bonner coming off the bench rather than starting.

I appologize in advance for this but:

ENOUGH ALREADY!

Geez.

[mystargtr34]

I think the best indicator of defense is the points allowed per 100 possessions stat, called defensive efficiency. Using points allowed doesnt take into account the pace a team plays, and therefore the amount of possessions. Anyway, in this stat Spurs are ranked 15th, allowing 103.0 points per 100 possessions.

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/hollinger/teamstats?sort=defeff&seasonType=2&league=nba&action=login&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fnba %2fhollinger%2fteamstats%3fsort%3ddefeff%26seasonT ype%3d2%26league%3dnba

[mystargtr34]

They are 5th in Offensive Efficiency...

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/hollinger/teamstats?sort=offeff&seasonType=2&league=nba&action=login&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fnba %2fhollinger%2fteamstats%3fsort%3doffeff%26seasonT ype%3d2%26league%3dnba

[Interrohater]

I think the best indicator of defense is the points allowed per 100 possessions stat, called defensive efficiency. Using points allowed doesnt take into account the pace a team plays, and therefore the amount of possessions. Anyway, in this stat Spurs are ranked 15th, allowing 103.0 points per 100 possessions.

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/hollinger/teamstats?sort=defeff&seasonType=2&league=nba&action=login&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fnba %2fhollinger%2fteamstats%3fsort%3ddefeff%26seasonT ype%3d2%26league%3dnba

But even that is not that accurate if it's taking into account the first few games. If we're attempting to quantify the Spurs defense NOW, then shouldn't we be looking at a smaller sample? We all know that the team didn't play very well earlier.

[Horse]

It was only a matter of time. Win or lose Pop's teams are gonna play some D. We're not really gonna know what we have for a while, but I think it will be worth the wait.

[HarlemHeat37]

I think the best indicator of defense is the points allowed per 100 possessions stat, called defensive efficiency. Using points allowed doesnt take into account the pace a team plays, and therefore the amount of possessions. Anyway, in this stat Spurs are ranked 15th, allowing 103.0 points per 100 possessions.

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/hollinger/teamstats?sort=defeff&seasonType=2&league=nba&action=login&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fnba %2fhollinger%2fteamstats%3fsort%3ddefeff%26seasonT ype%3d2%26league%3dnba

That's what I was using for the rankings..I used bbreference's though..

[TJastal]

28th ranked defense after the Raptors game, now it's up to 14th..a 14 spot jump in less than 20 days is absolutely solid, especially when you consider the chemistry issues, the injuries, and the initial rust..

10th in opposing FG% now, jumping up over 10 spots from the previous spot after the Raptors game...

Duncan's defensive +/- is 1st on the team and continues to rise, which coincides with the defensive progress IMO, which is obvious..McDyess' continues to rise, which has also been another big reason..Finley has the worst defensive +/- on the team, which is expected, and obviously it helps that his minutes have gone down..

A lot of work to do, but some great progress so far..

That game (after the raptor game) marks the game where Popovich first moved McDyess into the starting lineup. I don't think its coincidence.

Putting Dice in the starting lineup has helped the spurs establish a defensive tone from the outset of games. Bogans has also helped in that regard. Both those guys are doing a fantastic job defending.

[duhoh]

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_IBX68Zu5CgI/RsRiOxyNdQI/AAAAAAAAAKE/6zIlcIN15ck/s320/very+nice.jpg

Great Success?!? :lol

[Winehole23]

It always seems to take awhile for the Spurs to hit their defensive stride.








Am I imagining that?

[mystargtr34]

But even that is not that accurate if it's taking into account the first few games. If we're attempting to quantify the Spurs defense NOW, then shouldn't we be looking at a smaller sample? We all know that the team didn't play very well earlier.

Oh, im not saying the Spurs havent improved as the season has gone on - even if it has been short. But they are still a fair way from where they need to be IMO.

[mystargtr34]

That's what I was using for the rankings..I used bbreference's though..

You did too... my bad.

I was responding to some of the posts about PPG allowed and FG%. These are good too... not knocking them, but just think its better to use your ranking, for those who werent.

[kbrury]

First 6 games: 48.6% FG allowed, 102.5 PPG allowed..
Last 5 games: 40.2% FG allowed, 91.4 PPG allowed..

keep it going..

should bump this thread, stole HH's stats and combined it with tonight's game.

Last 6 Games 40.05% FG allowed, 91 PPG allowed.

[mystargtr34]

Spurs up to 12th in the league in Defensive Efficiency, points allowed per 100 possessions.

[benefactor]

Couple of quick stats going into the Boston game:

Spurs are 3rd in the league in opponents effective FG%
Spurs are 6th in the league in opponents 3FG%
Spurs are 7th in the league in defensive rebounding percentage.
Spurs are 10th in the league in PPG allowed.

We're gettin' there. :)

[Robinson#1]

We need to keep up the d from the last couple games and not go back to the d from the first few

[BillMc]

First 6 games: 48.6% FG allowed, 102.5 PPG allowed..
Last 5 games: 40.2% FG allowed, 91.4 PPG allowed..

keep it going..

Thanks for the info! Well done and well spotted!! :toast:toast