timvp
12-19-2009, 06:07 PM
Coming off of a three-game losing streak, the Spurs were able to bounce back by winning four of their next five contests. While the wins came against four teams (Kings, Bobcats, Clippers and Warriors) with a combined record of 34-51, San Antonio can't exactly be picky at this point.
The lone loss was at Phoenix against the Suns. After playing sloppy and ugly basketball in the first half, the Spurs were able to make it a game in the final two stanzas. They trimmed a 20-point deficit to a single point but then ran out of gas and the Suns were able to get rolling enough to post a 116-104 victory.
With a record of 13-10, the Spurs are definitely still a work in progress. We've seen some improvements in the last five outing but there is still a lot of inconsistent play and, as the Suns game illustrated, the Spurs are far from being elite.
Tim Duncan
http://i.cdn.turner.com/si/images/basketball/nba/players/3173.jpg
31.6 minutes, 23.2 points, 9.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 2.2 blocks, 1.8 turnovers
56.3% from the field, 75% (18-for-24) at the line
The bright shining light on the season thus far is the play of Tim Duncan. He's scoring, rebounding and assisting at career-high levels. Duncan's PER of 28.59 is also far and away the best of his career. Against the Suns, he posted 34 points, 14 rebounds and three blocks in arguably his most dominating regular season performance of the season.
Even with the rest of the team struggling with turnovers, Duncan has cut his miscues in the last five games and has been the steadying rock -- perhaps more than ever. Another positive is his ability to fiercely protect the rim, which has improved as the season has progressed.
However, with all that said, it must be remembered that Duncan was playing great last season up until the beginning of February. Around the All-Star break, his body broke down and he was never the same. For that reason, we must look at Duncan's greatness with a wary eye until he's doing it in April, May and June.
-------------------------------
Manu Ginobili
http://i.cdn.turner.com/si/.e1d/img/4.0/global/basketball/nba/players/3380.jpg
26 minutes, 14.8 points, 3.8 assists, 3.8 rebounds, 1.2 steals, 2.0 turnovers
46.7% field, 54.5% (12-for-22) on three-pointers, 95.2% (20-for-21) at the line
In the last five games, it's difficult to be too upset with Manu Ginobili's production. He's producing at his usual high level and his shooting percentages are beginning to recover following his slow start. Physically, he appears to be moving well and his endurance is better right now than it has been all season.
The biggest concern with Ginobili continues to be his explosiveness on the drive. He's getting into the lane but he's having a hard time finishing at the rim. In the last five games, despite his improvements, he made just 39.1% of his two-pointers. In fact, during the recent three-game road trip, Ginobili failed to score a single field goal at the rim.
Ginobili can somewhat mask his inability to finish at the rim if he can keep nailing his threes, finding his way to the line and making plays for his teammates. But if his finishing ability doesn't return, it would be next to impossible for him to be as consistently dangerous as he's been in the past.
-------------------------------
Tony Parker
http://i.cdn.turner.com/si/.e1d/img/4.0/global/basketball/nba/players/3527.jpg
32.2 minutes, 12.8 points, 6.8 assists, 3.2 rebounds, 4.2 turnovers
47.2% from the field, 50% (1-for-2) on three-pointers, 81.3% (13-for-16) at the line
Turnovers have been an obvious problem for the Spurs as of late. Those problems begin with Tony Parker. The odd part is that Parker's turnovers are coming every way imaginable -- from miscommunication to ill-advised passes and from traveling to getting the ball knocked away. Even though his assists and rebounds are up as of late, that has been overshadowed by his turnovers.
Considering that Parker was easily the least turnover prone elite point guard in the NBA last season, his turnover woes are surprising. On the season, he's turning it over almost twice as much on a per possession basis. He hasn't had a game with less than two turnovers since October.
The root of the turnover problem seems to be Parker's confusion of his role. After having to carry the offense last season, he's now transitioning back to a supporting role. That has made him hesitate, which has led to turnovers. Parker needs figure out how he fits into the new puzzle and then learn to be aggressive within those parameters.
-------------------------------
Richard Jefferson
http://i.cdn.turner.com/si/.e1d/img/4.0/global/basketball/nba/players/3523.jpg
29 minutes, 15.6 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 2.2 turnovers
53.3% from the field, 50% (6-for-12) on three-pointers, 61.5% (8-for-13) at the line
The last five games have to be considered a step in the right direction for Richard Jefferson. He scored at least 17 points in four of the five contests. His rebounding and defense have also been improving.
Despite his improvements, that sour taste in your mouth when you think of Jefferson's recent play is due to the egg he laid in Phoenix. He was a disaster in all phases of the game. It was like he lost all coordination and was fighting against himself when it came to completing basic basketball plays. To Jefferson's credit he was able to bounce back after that pitiful performance with a good game against the Warriors.
One disturbing trend with Jefferson is that his effort on the boards seems to be tied to how involved he is offensively. In games in which he shoots more than ten times, he averages 6.6 rebounds per game. The rest of the time, he averages 2.9 rebounds. That is an unacceptable disparity. On the other hand, one major positive is that Jefferson's athleticism seems to be as good as ever -- so there shouldn't be much worry that the Spurs traded for a lemon.
-------------------------------
Antonio McDyess
http://i.cdn.turner.com/si/.e1d/img/4.0/global/basketball/nba/players/3004.jpg
21.6 minutes, 3.6 points, 5.8 rebounds
42.9% from the field
Antonio McDyess is a self-professed slow starter ... and his play this season backs up that assertion. Offensively, he has been practically invisible as of late. His intensity on defense and the boards also seems to come and go. McDyess has been decent most of the time but I'd be lying to say he has lived up to expectations thus far.
But I'd also be lying if I said I was too worried about McDyess. Once the pieces around him figure out what they are doing, I expect McDyess to be fine. Right now he's not getting many open looks offensively and he has shown an ability to elevate his game defensively -- so the potential is there. The only worry is whether the 35-year-old will break down physically before he's able to show San Antonio his true potential.
-------------------------------
Keith Bogans
http://i.cdn.turner.com/si/.e1d/img/4.0/global/basketball/nba/players/3746.jpg
24.2 minutes, 7.6 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.2 steals
63.2% from the field, 66.7% (8-for-12) on three-pointers, 75% (6-for-8) at the line
Keith Bogans is beginning to make me think Pop may be onto something when it comes to the starting lineup. Bogans has recovered from a massive shooting slump and has actually been pretty darn impressive offensively in the last five games. He still makes his share of mistakes but if he's hitting from the outside, getting Bogans' rugged defense out on the court is definitely a positive.
There's no question that Bogans is the team's best perimeter defender. His toughness and quickness to loose balls are also assets. The question that is yet to be answered is his offense. If he can play well enough on that end of the court to avoid it becoming 4 on 5, Pop will likely keep starting him -- and for good reason.
-------------------------------
George Hill
http://i.cdn.turner.com/si/images/basketball/nba/players/4488.jpg
22.2 minutes, 10 points, 2.2 assists, 1.2 rebounds, 1.2 steals, 2.0 turnovers
68% from the field, 40.0% (2-for-5) on three-pointers, 82.4% (14-for-17) at the line
I've been difficult on George Hill for much of the season but I'm much happier with his recent play. Instead of relying on outside shots and his shaky in-between game, Hill has followed Pop's orders and is back to attacking the basket relentlessly. The result is a very strong field goal percentage and more trips to the charity stripe.
His stronger drives to the rim have also allowed him to create plays for others at times, an aspect of his play that was MIA to begin the season. Hill's rebounding is still very much underwhelming and he seems to be conceding more and more of his point guard responsibilities to Ginobili and Mason, but all in all I'm satisfied with his recent progression.
-------------------------------
Matt Bonner
http://i.cdn.turner.com/si/images/basketball/nba/players/3748.jpg
18 minutes, 5.4 points, 2.2 rebounds, 1.4 assists
43.5% from the field, 40% (4-for-10) on three-pointers, 75% (3-for-4) at the line
Matt Bonner's impressive play off the bench has stalled over the last five games. He's not playing poorly but he hasn't provided an offensive spark as of late. Much more troubling is Bonner's lack of rebounding. He had a stretch where he was rebounding with ferocity but that effort hasn't been there in the last five games.
Despite his recent anemic play, Bonner continues to lead the team in +/- for the second consecutive season -- both in total +/- and +/- per minute. Opposing teams have made a note to stick on Bonner, which causes driving lanes to open up for San Antonio. With his current bench role, it makes it difficult for teams to adjust on the fly. It's getting increasingly more difficult to argue that Bonner (or at least Bonner's presence) isn't a consistent difference maker.
-------------------------------
DeJuan Blair
http://i.cdn.turner.com/si/.e1d/img/4.0/global/basketball/nba/players/4642.jpg
12.6 minutes, 7.4 points, 5 rebounds, 1.0 assists
61.5% from the field, 62.5% (5-for-8) at the line
Pop recently called DeJuan Blair a "stat machine" ... and that's about the best way to describe him. It's not always pretty but Blair's stats are gaudy. He's the top per-minute rebounder in the NBA, he scores the ball more than anyone on the team outside of the Big Three, he blocks the shots of longer and more athletic players, he can steal the ball from smaller players on the perimeter and he's blessed with very good natural passing ability.
The most important development with Blair is his rapidly improving defense. He went from a D- defender to a C+ or B- defender in record speed. His individual defense is usually solid, his help defense has gotten much, much better and he's not nearly as foul prone as he was earlier in the season.
Pop has talked about Blair possibly moving into the starting lineup and I can't say that's a bad idea. Blair can sometimes get discombobulated when the action starts moving at lightning speed and he can also tire quickly at times, but you have to be ecstatic with his progression if you're a Spurs fan.
-------------------------------
Roger Mason, Jr.
http://i.cdn.turner.com/si/images/basketball/nba/players/3628.jpg
16.8 minutes, 7.6 point, 2.4 rebounds, 1.2 assists
51.7% from the field, 50% (8-for-16) on three-pointers
With Michael Finely sidelined with a sprained ankle, Roger Mason, Jr. has taken over the roll of designated shooter. He has done a relatively good job in the last five games, with the Suns game being by far his best outing of the year. In 34 minutes, he had 19 points and five rebounds, while shooting 7-for-13 from the field and 5-for-8 on three-pointers.
Mason's defense isn't very good but it has improved from earlier in the season. His playmaking ability, especially when he's paired with Hill, is very handy. He still has an uphill climb to become more than the ninth or tenth man in the rotation, but at least Mason has played much better over the last month.
-------------------------------
The lone loss was at Phoenix against the Suns. After playing sloppy and ugly basketball in the first half, the Spurs were able to make it a game in the final two stanzas. They trimmed a 20-point deficit to a single point but then ran out of gas and the Suns were able to get rolling enough to post a 116-104 victory.
With a record of 13-10, the Spurs are definitely still a work in progress. We've seen some improvements in the last five outing but there is still a lot of inconsistent play and, as the Suns game illustrated, the Spurs are far from being elite.
Tim Duncan
http://i.cdn.turner.com/si/images/basketball/nba/players/3173.jpg
31.6 minutes, 23.2 points, 9.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 2.2 blocks, 1.8 turnovers
56.3% from the field, 75% (18-for-24) at the line
The bright shining light on the season thus far is the play of Tim Duncan. He's scoring, rebounding and assisting at career-high levels. Duncan's PER of 28.59 is also far and away the best of his career. Against the Suns, he posted 34 points, 14 rebounds and three blocks in arguably his most dominating regular season performance of the season.
Even with the rest of the team struggling with turnovers, Duncan has cut his miscues in the last five games and has been the steadying rock -- perhaps more than ever. Another positive is his ability to fiercely protect the rim, which has improved as the season has progressed.
However, with all that said, it must be remembered that Duncan was playing great last season up until the beginning of February. Around the All-Star break, his body broke down and he was never the same. For that reason, we must look at Duncan's greatness with a wary eye until he's doing it in April, May and June.
-------------------------------
Manu Ginobili
http://i.cdn.turner.com/si/.e1d/img/4.0/global/basketball/nba/players/3380.jpg
26 minutes, 14.8 points, 3.8 assists, 3.8 rebounds, 1.2 steals, 2.0 turnovers
46.7% field, 54.5% (12-for-22) on three-pointers, 95.2% (20-for-21) at the line
In the last five games, it's difficult to be too upset with Manu Ginobili's production. He's producing at his usual high level and his shooting percentages are beginning to recover following his slow start. Physically, he appears to be moving well and his endurance is better right now than it has been all season.
The biggest concern with Ginobili continues to be his explosiveness on the drive. He's getting into the lane but he's having a hard time finishing at the rim. In the last five games, despite his improvements, he made just 39.1% of his two-pointers. In fact, during the recent three-game road trip, Ginobili failed to score a single field goal at the rim.
Ginobili can somewhat mask his inability to finish at the rim if he can keep nailing his threes, finding his way to the line and making plays for his teammates. But if his finishing ability doesn't return, it would be next to impossible for him to be as consistently dangerous as he's been in the past.
-------------------------------
Tony Parker
http://i.cdn.turner.com/si/.e1d/img/4.0/global/basketball/nba/players/3527.jpg
32.2 minutes, 12.8 points, 6.8 assists, 3.2 rebounds, 4.2 turnovers
47.2% from the field, 50% (1-for-2) on three-pointers, 81.3% (13-for-16) at the line
Turnovers have been an obvious problem for the Spurs as of late. Those problems begin with Tony Parker. The odd part is that Parker's turnovers are coming every way imaginable -- from miscommunication to ill-advised passes and from traveling to getting the ball knocked away. Even though his assists and rebounds are up as of late, that has been overshadowed by his turnovers.
Considering that Parker was easily the least turnover prone elite point guard in the NBA last season, his turnover woes are surprising. On the season, he's turning it over almost twice as much on a per possession basis. He hasn't had a game with less than two turnovers since October.
The root of the turnover problem seems to be Parker's confusion of his role. After having to carry the offense last season, he's now transitioning back to a supporting role. That has made him hesitate, which has led to turnovers. Parker needs figure out how he fits into the new puzzle and then learn to be aggressive within those parameters.
-------------------------------
Richard Jefferson
http://i.cdn.turner.com/si/.e1d/img/4.0/global/basketball/nba/players/3523.jpg
29 minutes, 15.6 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 2.2 turnovers
53.3% from the field, 50% (6-for-12) on three-pointers, 61.5% (8-for-13) at the line
The last five games have to be considered a step in the right direction for Richard Jefferson. He scored at least 17 points in four of the five contests. His rebounding and defense have also been improving.
Despite his improvements, that sour taste in your mouth when you think of Jefferson's recent play is due to the egg he laid in Phoenix. He was a disaster in all phases of the game. It was like he lost all coordination and was fighting against himself when it came to completing basic basketball plays. To Jefferson's credit he was able to bounce back after that pitiful performance with a good game against the Warriors.
One disturbing trend with Jefferson is that his effort on the boards seems to be tied to how involved he is offensively. In games in which he shoots more than ten times, he averages 6.6 rebounds per game. The rest of the time, he averages 2.9 rebounds. That is an unacceptable disparity. On the other hand, one major positive is that Jefferson's athleticism seems to be as good as ever -- so there shouldn't be much worry that the Spurs traded for a lemon.
-------------------------------
Antonio McDyess
http://i.cdn.turner.com/si/.e1d/img/4.0/global/basketball/nba/players/3004.jpg
21.6 minutes, 3.6 points, 5.8 rebounds
42.9% from the field
Antonio McDyess is a self-professed slow starter ... and his play this season backs up that assertion. Offensively, he has been practically invisible as of late. His intensity on defense and the boards also seems to come and go. McDyess has been decent most of the time but I'd be lying to say he has lived up to expectations thus far.
But I'd also be lying if I said I was too worried about McDyess. Once the pieces around him figure out what they are doing, I expect McDyess to be fine. Right now he's not getting many open looks offensively and he has shown an ability to elevate his game defensively -- so the potential is there. The only worry is whether the 35-year-old will break down physically before he's able to show San Antonio his true potential.
-------------------------------
Keith Bogans
http://i.cdn.turner.com/si/.e1d/img/4.0/global/basketball/nba/players/3746.jpg
24.2 minutes, 7.6 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.2 steals
63.2% from the field, 66.7% (8-for-12) on three-pointers, 75% (6-for-8) at the line
Keith Bogans is beginning to make me think Pop may be onto something when it comes to the starting lineup. Bogans has recovered from a massive shooting slump and has actually been pretty darn impressive offensively in the last five games. He still makes his share of mistakes but if he's hitting from the outside, getting Bogans' rugged defense out on the court is definitely a positive.
There's no question that Bogans is the team's best perimeter defender. His toughness and quickness to loose balls are also assets. The question that is yet to be answered is his offense. If he can play well enough on that end of the court to avoid it becoming 4 on 5, Pop will likely keep starting him -- and for good reason.
-------------------------------
George Hill
http://i.cdn.turner.com/si/images/basketball/nba/players/4488.jpg
22.2 minutes, 10 points, 2.2 assists, 1.2 rebounds, 1.2 steals, 2.0 turnovers
68% from the field, 40.0% (2-for-5) on three-pointers, 82.4% (14-for-17) at the line
I've been difficult on George Hill for much of the season but I'm much happier with his recent play. Instead of relying on outside shots and his shaky in-between game, Hill has followed Pop's orders and is back to attacking the basket relentlessly. The result is a very strong field goal percentage and more trips to the charity stripe.
His stronger drives to the rim have also allowed him to create plays for others at times, an aspect of his play that was MIA to begin the season. Hill's rebounding is still very much underwhelming and he seems to be conceding more and more of his point guard responsibilities to Ginobili and Mason, but all in all I'm satisfied with his recent progression.
-------------------------------
Matt Bonner
http://i.cdn.turner.com/si/images/basketball/nba/players/3748.jpg
18 minutes, 5.4 points, 2.2 rebounds, 1.4 assists
43.5% from the field, 40% (4-for-10) on three-pointers, 75% (3-for-4) at the line
Matt Bonner's impressive play off the bench has stalled over the last five games. He's not playing poorly but he hasn't provided an offensive spark as of late. Much more troubling is Bonner's lack of rebounding. He had a stretch where he was rebounding with ferocity but that effort hasn't been there in the last five games.
Despite his recent anemic play, Bonner continues to lead the team in +/- for the second consecutive season -- both in total +/- and +/- per minute. Opposing teams have made a note to stick on Bonner, which causes driving lanes to open up for San Antonio. With his current bench role, it makes it difficult for teams to adjust on the fly. It's getting increasingly more difficult to argue that Bonner (or at least Bonner's presence) isn't a consistent difference maker.
-------------------------------
DeJuan Blair
http://i.cdn.turner.com/si/.e1d/img/4.0/global/basketball/nba/players/4642.jpg
12.6 minutes, 7.4 points, 5 rebounds, 1.0 assists
61.5% from the field, 62.5% (5-for-8) at the line
Pop recently called DeJuan Blair a "stat machine" ... and that's about the best way to describe him. It's not always pretty but Blair's stats are gaudy. He's the top per-minute rebounder in the NBA, he scores the ball more than anyone on the team outside of the Big Three, he blocks the shots of longer and more athletic players, he can steal the ball from smaller players on the perimeter and he's blessed with very good natural passing ability.
The most important development with Blair is his rapidly improving defense. He went from a D- defender to a C+ or B- defender in record speed. His individual defense is usually solid, his help defense has gotten much, much better and he's not nearly as foul prone as he was earlier in the season.
Pop has talked about Blair possibly moving into the starting lineup and I can't say that's a bad idea. Blair can sometimes get discombobulated when the action starts moving at lightning speed and he can also tire quickly at times, but you have to be ecstatic with his progression if you're a Spurs fan.
-------------------------------
Roger Mason, Jr.
http://i.cdn.turner.com/si/images/basketball/nba/players/3628.jpg
16.8 minutes, 7.6 point, 2.4 rebounds, 1.2 assists
51.7% from the field, 50% (8-for-16) on three-pointers
With Michael Finely sidelined with a sprained ankle, Roger Mason, Jr. has taken over the roll of designated shooter. He has done a relatively good job in the last five games, with the Suns game being by far his best outing of the year. In 34 minutes, he had 19 points and five rebounds, while shooting 7-for-13 from the field and 5-for-8 on three-pointers.
Mason's defense isn't very good but it has improved from earlier in the season. His playmaking ability, especially when he's paired with Hill, is very handy. He still has an uphill climb to become more than the ninth or tenth man in the rotation, but at least Mason has played much better over the last month.
-------------------------------