duncan228
12-09-2010, 07:19 PM
San Antonio Spurs Far From Peaking (http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=18142)
By: Yannis Koutroupis
Hoopsworld
Every season there is a team who tears it up at the beginning of the year only to falter down the stretch. With the league's best record at 18-3 the San Antonio Spurs could theoretically be that team this year. They're currently exceeding everyone's expectations and playing like they're a true threat to the Los Angeles Lakers' pursuit of a third-straight championship. However, expecting a drop off in the Spurs play would be a mistake because despite their fantastic start, there's plenty of reason to believe that they can still improve significantly.
Tim Duncan Is In Cruise Control
The Spurs captain and foundation for their success is currently really enjoying being surrounded by the type of talent that doesn't require him to put up big numbers night in and night out. Duncan is averaging a career-low in points, rebounds and minutes played and wouldn't have it any other way.
Duncan will continue to pace himself throughout the rest of the regular season to ensure that he isn't banged up and worn out by the time the playoffs come around like years past. At the age of 34 Duncan understands that his career doesn't have but maybe a couple of years left and he wants to make the most of those. If his teammates can continue to carry him throughout the regular season, he'll be able to return the favor come playoff time.
With the departure of Amar'e Stoudemire (New York Knicks) and Carlos Boozer (Chicago Bulls) to the Eastern Conference the quality of big men play in the West is nowhere near the same. Duncan is going to be a tough matchup for every opposing team in the West that they will need to really focus on containing. Expect Duncan's numbers to jump noticeably once playoff time comes if healthy.
Their Defense Is Still Not Up To Popovich's Standards
As a team the Spurs are averaging 106 points a night, which is the third most in the league. That development has led to many speculating that Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich has softened on the emphasis he puts on defense, but that couldn't be further from the truth.
Defense is still Popovich's number one priority. It always has been and always will be. This year's group just happens to be incredibly gifted offensively, good enough that Popovich decided to change his approach on that side of the court. Unlike in the past Popovich doesn't ask the team to slow down and work the ball inside. He gives complete control and freedom to guards Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili, allowing them to push the tempo as they see fit.
The results have obviously been stellar, but Popovich isn't going to allow the team to believe that just because their offense is winning them regular season games that it's going to win them a championship as well. It's going to be their defense that is key in any championship run and right now they could stand to improve on the amount of points they give up nightly (97) and how well they defend the long ball (Spurs are the third-worst team in the league at defending the three, allowing teams to shoot 39%). Popovich has plenty of time to work with them in those areas and they should make strides as the season progresses.
Tiago Splitter Has Yet To Find Himself
The Spurs high-profile offseason acquisition currently isn't running neck and neck with Los Angeles Clipper Blake Griffin or Washington Wizard John Wall for the Rookie of the Year award to say the least. Splitter, who was injured for most of training camp, is just playing 12 minutes a night so far and has actually started to become a bit frustrated. He's accustomed to being one of the best players on his team and a focal point of everything, which he hasn't been with the Spurs. Coach Popovich is still a big believer in him, though.
"Tiago is a tough customer," said Popovich. "He really rebounds hard and he plays hard defense. He's probably one of the most aware players, as far as taking charges and understanding what's going on on the court. He does a good job."
Splitter is eventually going to find his comfort zone as a Spur and once he does that will give them the additional big men they need to match up against the Lakers big man rotation of Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum and Lamar Odom. The Spurs wouldn't have brought him over if they didn't feel like he was a perfect fit for their system both on and off the court, so any concerns about the frustration he recently voiced should be looked past. It won't become an issue because the Spurs simply don't deal with those kinds of problems. He'll buy into the team-first philosophy and patiently wait for his time to come.
Keep Reading... (http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=18142)
By: Yannis Koutroupis
Hoopsworld
Every season there is a team who tears it up at the beginning of the year only to falter down the stretch. With the league's best record at 18-3 the San Antonio Spurs could theoretically be that team this year. They're currently exceeding everyone's expectations and playing like they're a true threat to the Los Angeles Lakers' pursuit of a third-straight championship. However, expecting a drop off in the Spurs play would be a mistake because despite their fantastic start, there's plenty of reason to believe that they can still improve significantly.
Tim Duncan Is In Cruise Control
The Spurs captain and foundation for their success is currently really enjoying being surrounded by the type of talent that doesn't require him to put up big numbers night in and night out. Duncan is averaging a career-low in points, rebounds and minutes played and wouldn't have it any other way.
Duncan will continue to pace himself throughout the rest of the regular season to ensure that he isn't banged up and worn out by the time the playoffs come around like years past. At the age of 34 Duncan understands that his career doesn't have but maybe a couple of years left and he wants to make the most of those. If his teammates can continue to carry him throughout the regular season, he'll be able to return the favor come playoff time.
With the departure of Amar'e Stoudemire (New York Knicks) and Carlos Boozer (Chicago Bulls) to the Eastern Conference the quality of big men play in the West is nowhere near the same. Duncan is going to be a tough matchup for every opposing team in the West that they will need to really focus on containing. Expect Duncan's numbers to jump noticeably once playoff time comes if healthy.
Their Defense Is Still Not Up To Popovich's Standards
As a team the Spurs are averaging 106 points a night, which is the third most in the league. That development has led to many speculating that Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich has softened on the emphasis he puts on defense, but that couldn't be further from the truth.
Defense is still Popovich's number one priority. It always has been and always will be. This year's group just happens to be incredibly gifted offensively, good enough that Popovich decided to change his approach on that side of the court. Unlike in the past Popovich doesn't ask the team to slow down and work the ball inside. He gives complete control and freedom to guards Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili, allowing them to push the tempo as they see fit.
The results have obviously been stellar, but Popovich isn't going to allow the team to believe that just because their offense is winning them regular season games that it's going to win them a championship as well. It's going to be their defense that is key in any championship run and right now they could stand to improve on the amount of points they give up nightly (97) and how well they defend the long ball (Spurs are the third-worst team in the league at defending the three, allowing teams to shoot 39%). Popovich has plenty of time to work with them in those areas and they should make strides as the season progresses.
Tiago Splitter Has Yet To Find Himself
The Spurs high-profile offseason acquisition currently isn't running neck and neck with Los Angeles Clipper Blake Griffin or Washington Wizard John Wall for the Rookie of the Year award to say the least. Splitter, who was injured for most of training camp, is just playing 12 minutes a night so far and has actually started to become a bit frustrated. He's accustomed to being one of the best players on his team and a focal point of everything, which he hasn't been with the Spurs. Coach Popovich is still a big believer in him, though.
"Tiago is a tough customer," said Popovich. "He really rebounds hard and he plays hard defense. He's probably one of the most aware players, as far as taking charges and understanding what's going on on the court. He does a good job."
Splitter is eventually going to find his comfort zone as a Spur and once he does that will give them the additional big men they need to match up against the Lakers big man rotation of Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum and Lamar Odom. The Spurs wouldn't have brought him over if they didn't feel like he was a perfect fit for their system both on and off the court, so any concerns about the frustration he recently voiced should be looked past. It won't become an issue because the Spurs simply don't deal with those kinds of problems. He'll buy into the team-first philosophy and patiently wait for his time to come.
Keep Reading... (http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=18142)