Ideally, Spurs to trade for a specific defensive-big specialist.

[flox]

Now, I don't watch the Spurs as much as I should, seeing how the Pacers are my primary team, but I feel like if I was the opposing team, I would attack the Spurs in one area- and that if the Spurs don't find someone outside of McDyess to guard it- or if Pop is holding some type of voodoo hidden that we don't know about, the Spurs could be in trouble.


What I'm talking about can be seen in the following pictures:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v429/flashfox/th_Amare.png (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v429/flashfox/?action=view&current=Amare.png)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v429/flashfox/th_Davis.png (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v429/flashfox/?action=view&current=Davis.png)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v429/flashfox/th_West.png (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v429/flashfox/?action=view&current=West.png)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v429/flashfox/th_Hans-1.png (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v429/flashfox/?action=view&current=Hans-1.png)




Now I'm not going to go too indepth as to why I feel these are good examples, and I will elaborate if asked, but these are the weaknesses I feel that these pictures show:

Mid-Range jump shooting- A known Spurs defensive weakness, but this specifically kills us- I feel like the Pick and Pop makes our defense over react and we end up getting killed with our rotations as a result. Having a player that could specifically excel at Pick and Pop defending would be a plus.

Speed: Some of these players are just too quick for Duncan and Blair to guard, and too athletic for Bonner. As a result- we only have Dyess to guard em. Maybe Splitter is our secret weapon- but given Pop's history with rookies in the playoffs and Splitter's lack of time in our system- I'm not too sold on that.

Speed Guards/Good point guard play: As seen, most of these teams either have speed guards or elite point guards- making the coverage of the pick on pop harder, and forcing the defense to commit and pick their poison. While I have no trouble thinking that Parker will pick this up in the playoffs- the fact that they have such a good guard/big combo means that the defensive focus is on them. That makes it harder to guard against them, and results in more open shots. I feel with Ginobili, we can probably contain the guard, but I'm not sold on Duncan closing out anymore. But maybe I'm wrong there.


Of course- if Duncan steps it up and shows a level of speed that he doesn't show in the regular season, then we should be fine. But as of right now- I would be concerned with this as a Spurs fan.

Thanks!

[DesignatedT]

trade who for who

[EricB]

I'm still waiting for someone to tell me who this magical bigman they lack, where is he?

[Rummpd]

Fair point and entire team played without energy tonight but still it was a tie game entering 4th - Spurs had a terrible quarter at the wrong time when Pop went small. Sure a defensive stopper would be great but Spurs still top 7 in NBA in def eff by Hollinger's ratings on ESPN.

[TDMVPDPOY]

can we trade for a big who can jump more then 2inches of the ground attempt to block shots on any basket?

[jag]

This has been a weakness for awhile now. It was always obvious against the Suns. Once Amare learned to hit the 17-foot j, the Spurs basically just conceded that he was consistently going to get his. The Spurs will always struggle with this as long as Duncan is the primary defensive force inside.

It's give and take. And right now there aren't many bigs there who are mobile enough to step outside and strong enough to defend the paint. Guys who do have that ability are being paid star money.

[Ditty]

really it happens guys off on some nights, just no adjustments from the coaching staff cost us the game.

[Ditty]

I rather aldridge be hitting 15-20 foot jumpers all day, then him getting lay ups if he knocks them down then we deserve ti lose like tonight

[HarlemHeat37]

This has been evident for years now..while most people here want a shot blocking C, the need for a mobile PF has been much more necessary..Splitter was brought in with this in mind, in addition to everything else he was supposed to bring..in his limited time, he has actually been successful at defending face-up players and defending the pick and pop/roll..his weakness is defending the post, which is what Duncan does..

The Spurs can help make up for it by playing with energy and help D on the perimeter, which has been inconsistent..they have shown flashes this year..

Realistically, there isn't an available player that can help in that regard..there are only a few of those guys in the NBA..it's a big part of the reason that Boston's D is so successful..the Spurs will have to make due with what they have, which will have to be a complete team effort, inside and outside, scheme as well..

[flox]

trade who for who


I'm still waiting for someone to tell me who this magical bigman they lack, where is he?

I'll get back to you on that, but I was hoping the collective Spurs forum would help me come up with an answer better than a singular Pacers fan.

The best candidate that I can think of right now, off of the top of my head, is Sean Williams (D-League, Texas Legends) probably best short term choice- he has the defensive pedigree and length and athleticism, and I think draftexpress mentioned that the Spurs had interest in him before.

Only problem is that his head isn't on straight.

Maybe I'll have more people in mind when I wake up.

[DesignatedT]

Sean Williams yep. That's the key to winning the ship'. get it done RC.

[TD 21]

This has been evident for years now..while most people here want a shot blocking C, the need for a mobile PF has been much more necessary..Splitter was brought in with this in mind, in addition to everything else he was supposed to bring..in his limited time, he has actually been successful at defending face-up players and defending the pick and pop/roll..his weakness is defending the post, which is what Duncan does..

The Spurs can help make up for it by playing with energy and help D on the perimeter, which has been inconsistent..they have shown flashes this year..

Realistically, there isn't an available player that can help in that regard..there are only a few of those guys in the NBA..it's a big part of the reason that Boston's D is so successful..the Spurs will have to make due with what they have, which will have to be a complete team effort, inside and outside, scheme as well..

You're right, the lack of length and mobility at PF is a more pressing need than a shot blocking C.

The Spurs can make up for it by . . . ? Or they could just, you know, actually play Splitter against guys like Aldridge. But I guess that would make too much sense.

Everyone's so caught up in how awkward his offensive game looks and his numbers, but defensively, he could be a major help. And if by the off chance he can't effectively guard Nowitzki, Gasol, Aldridge, etc., then wouldn't it at least make sense to find out now as opposed to going into the playoffs not knowing?

Right now, this team is on a collision course to play the Trail Blazers in round one. They'll beat them, but what if Aldridge causes them so much trouble that it get's pushed to, say, 6? This is a team they should be able to sweep or at least beat in no more than 5. If it goes to 6, that's just more wear and tear for the later rounds.

They've got to start thinking big picture and that starts with having Splitter guard the aforementioned types. Know what they have, don't just go into the playoffs guessing.

[jjktkk]

When Alderidge is hitting his jumper, he pratically unguardable. Tough matchup.

[tuncaboylu]

Dikembe Mutombo :)

[TDMVPDPOY]

currently there are no specialist defensive minded bigs in the league,

if theres a trade or a buyout, spurs should look at maybe

kwame brown, darko, dalembert...mcgee?

[benefactor]

The Spurs don't need anyone else. They just need to play better defense.

[greyforest]

ideally, spurs wont trade anyone and will be healthy for the playoffs
ideally.

players don't just drop in to the spurs and work - haven't you seen how coach pop operates?

[widowmaker]

Yep can't expect some guy to pop out of nowhere and save the day. The spurs have should some games this year that they actually play D hopefully they pull their heads out their asses. :bang

[admiralsnackbar]

Darko and Dalembert are going nowhere.

And by the by... do people really think they are going to get better than Dice with what we have to offer?