Wilbon on the Spurs

[Old School 44]

Here's an ESPN radio podcast featuring Michael Wilbon.
He talks about Jerry Sloan and at about the 3 minute mark gives major props to the Spurs team work and crazy record...44-8!

http://espn.go.com/espnradio/player?rd=1#/podcenter/?id=6109285&########=1&callsign=ESPNRADIO

[lefty]

Kornheiser must be mad

[Spurfect21]

Wilbon is a Heat lover no matter what, to him the Heat will never lose again...we don't need props from him or any BSPN "analyst"

[BlairForceDejuan]

thx for the link

[Obstructed_View]

And Steve Kerr on PTI just said that KG is the best big man defender in the league.

[TD 21]

In their primes, it wasn't debatable. Duncan was quick enough to stay with most face up fours, strong enough to defend most back to the basket fives, an excellent post defender and an outstanding help defender and overall anchor.

Garnett was never strong enough to defend any back to the basket fives and while he was/is an outstanding help defender, he was never the shot blocking presence or overall anchor that Duncan was.

Now, it depends on what area you're talking about. I know Garnett leads the league in defensive rating and because of him being more mobile, he has more defensive range, but I'd still take Duncan. An elite defensive anchor is more important than anything else defensively. Howard/Duncan almost single handedly have their teams in the top ten in defensive efficiency. Garnett is surrounded by a cast of good defenders.

[Obstructed_View]

That might actually be a correct statement for once.

If he'd said Garnett anchors the best defense in the league, I'd agree. Duncan's a better defender. Garnett gets steals, but that's not a sign of a big man defender.

[DesignatedT]

I'll take Duncan over KG any day of the week. On either side of the ball tbh.

[Cane]

KG's more of a versatile defender than Duncan since he's quicker but Duncan's a better anchor. Having Perkins for help is a pretty good asset to have on the defensive end as well.

[#41 Shoot Em Up]

Wilbon sux

[J_Paco]

Kerr is an idiot, the best defensive big man plays in Orlando. Howard has absolutely no help on the perimeter - Q Rich is their best perimeter defender, fucking Quentin Richardson - or in the paint to help anchor that defense. The defense is entirely based on funneling players to Howard, where he usually sends their shot into the third row. He's also very good at stripping players down-low and getting steals. Unfortunately, his lack of help is why the team is slipping on the defensive end. One guy can only do so much.

The synergy between Popovich and the (healthy) Big 3, while getting consistent contributions from the role-players is why S.A. is running away with the best record. Popovich is doing his best coaching job since '03, IMO, and his ability to demand the most from all his players (1-15) is why they win.

[Obstructed_View]

Kerr is an idiot, the best defensive big man plays in Orlando.
Not this season. Look at the per 36 minute numbers.

[Seventyniner]

Popovich is doing his best coaching job since '03, IMO, and his ability to demand the most from all his players (1-15) is why they win.

You mean 1-13, right?

[Man In Black]

All I know is that our main post defender got 5 blocks the other game. His jumpshot though, seems a bit short lately.

[will_spurs]

The defense is entirely based on funneling players to Howard, where he usually sends their shot into the third row.

The only issue is that sending their shot into the third row gives them the ball back. Sending their shot into the hands of his PG for a fast break opportunity would be better... but he doesn't do it, and that's why he's all show, no efficiency.

[Mark in Austin]

It's the national reporters that think the Spurs are boring - they have nothing to report in SA.

[K-State Spur]

I'd probably give KG a slight edge on Duncan defensively at this juncture in their careers. Tim has come back to the pack a bit with his low-post D, while KG defends the p'n'r much better. both are 2 of the best help defenders in the league.

I'd take both over Howard. He's a highlight maker on the defensive end, but still lacks a lot of discipline. He gets his blocks, but you don't see his presence deterring other teams from driving like you do with many big men.

i know we are talking about defense here, but i do find it interesting that some in the media have decided that the spurs will struggle in the playoffs because duncan is shooting more jumpers this year...but still consider Boston a favorite - despite that KG is almost allergic to the low block at this stage of his career.

[Jimcs50]

I do not understand why Spurs are perceived as more boring than Boston. Spurs score 6 more points per game than Boston, they have more fastbreak baskets than Boston, and they have one of the most exciting players in Manu to watch.:wtf

[GrandeDavid]

I do not understand why Spurs are perceived as more boring than Boston. Spurs score 6 more points per game than Boston, they have more fastbreak baskets than Boston, and they have one of the most exciting players in Manu to watch.:wtf

Exactly!

[cheguevara]

Wilbon is a good guy but he still is a Chicago/Lebron lover. At least he is no Laker cocksucker.

[mytespurs]

I don't know why some are hating on Wilbon-he's been given the Spurs props thus far even when everyone jumps on the laker/boston/heat bandwagon.

I heard that interview he gave yesterday and it was nice to hear the love he was given the spurs as was one of the host of the SVP show.

[ohmwrecker]

Does anyone else find it amusing that the media is talking about how the media isn't talking about the Spurs?

[tp2021]

^It's way too hard to talk about the Spurs without some sort of qualifier. Why should we expect the media to just talk about them for no reason?

[mingus]

I can't stand Wilbon. He's probably the least objective analyst/writer of the NBA out there. He's got his hand in the pants of too many players. He's everybody's "boy." And Wilbon has done nothing over the years to bring attention to SA.

[SenorSpur]

I can't stand Wilbon. He's probably the least objective analyst/writer of the NBA out there. He's got his hand in the pants of too many players. He's everybody's "boy." And Wilbon has done nothing over the years to bring attention to SA.

:lol

All very true.

There was a time I actually liked and appreciated Wilbon. However over the past few years, I've come to realize just what a "ball-licking" NBA superstar suck up, he really is. He never offers any constructive criticism to any of the game's top players - no matter how warranted it may be. He makes excuses for Shaq, 'Bron, Kobe, Wade, Melo and anybody else that has all-star caliber talent. Sure he can pile on the NBA douchebag, but otherwise, he's always sucking up to the stars. Hell, he even proudly endorses that most famous of Knicks fans, that runt Spike Lee.

In fact, Wilbon is such a "kiss-ass", that he's actually made me appreciate and gravitate more toward his partner Tony Kornheiser, a man I affectionately refer to as the "angry white man".

[mingus]

:lol

All very true.

There was a time I actually liked and appreciated Wilbon. However over the past few years, I've come to realize just what a "ball-licking" NBA superstar suck up, he really is. He never offers any constructive criticism to any of the game's top players - no matter how warranted it may be. He makes excuses for Shaq, 'Bron, Kobe, Wade, Melo and anybody else that has all-star caliber talent. Sure he can pile on the NBA douchebag, but otherwise, he's always sucking up to the stars. Hell, he even proudly endorses that most famous of Knicks fans, that runt Spike Lee.

In fact, Wilbon is such a "kiss-ass", that he's actually made me appreciate and gravitate more toward his partner Tony Kornheiser, a man I affectionately refer to as the "angry white man".

Yup. ESPN needs to copy TNT's formula. Both Kenny and Charles will say anything about anyone. In fact, you want to watch sometimes just to hear what kind of shit they will talk. It's like ESPN has tried the opposite formula, it's failed for 10 years, and they're still sticking with it.

i liked what they did by bringing in Bill Simmons for that one game. he was broadcasting (they're already pretty good in that area), maybe they should replace one of the studio guys with him.

[Budkin]

Duncan used to completely own Garnett.

[Obstructed_View]

Does anyone else find it amusing that the media is talking about how the media isn't talking about the Spurs?

They can justify why they don't while simultaneously insulting the team. "Well we would cover them more, Dana, but they're so boring. Their players are good guys and the Riverwalk is a mud hole." They can't do those things if they just cover the team.

[Obstructed_View]

Just did a search for "Spurs" on ESPN.com. Of the first fifteen articles listed, two are about the Spurs, and they're game recaps. Most of them are about soccer. The NBA articles are about Rip Hamilton and future NBA dynasties now that the Spurs' window is closing.