scottspurs
02-15-2011, 07:12 PM
http://whatifsports.com/beyondtheboxscore/default.asp?article=2011NBA_Spurs
How do the 2011 Spurs matchup against their other great championship teams of the past?
Article is old, but I haven't seen it posted here so go ahead an move this if there is already a thread.
The site the article is on generates simulations based on stats. It has this years team beating the 1999, 2005, and 2007 spurs a majority of the time based on simulations. Against the 2003 Spurs the 2011 spurs lose a majority of the time. I believe this is solely based on statistics only, but it does bring up the ? of whether or not this is a championship team or not?
I've always thought the 2003 spurs were the best overall team San Antonio has ever had. They had a strong team all around. Defensively they had two great shot blockers obviously, but you also had one of the best perimeter defenders of all time in Bruce Bowen. Offensively, they had Tim and David down low. They also had good shooters in Bowen, Stephen Jackson and steve Kerr. On top of that you had three guys that could create their own shots in Manu, Parker, and Jackson. Yes they did have prime Tim Duncan, but they were plenty of other options. They were a very great balanced out team.
I think 1999 was the best team the spurs have ever had defensively with not one, but two great perimeter defenders in Elliott and Elie in addition to prime twin tower shot blocking.
What I want to know is when you break it down (overlooking any potential problems such as injuries) is this a championship caliber team? Record says so, but do they really have what it takes or not? In my opinion they are and I have 4 reasons.
1. Rebounding-From what I can remember this is the best rebounding team the spurs have ever had. Ever box score i look at the spurs usually out rebound their opponents. You have two great rebounders in Blair and Duncan. This is also the first time I can remember the spurs having another solid rebounder coming off the bench with Antonio mcdyess. I believe having great rebounders helps eliminate the problems you come about when facing teams with size. Help defenders are less reluctant to help when they know they are responsible for men like Duncan and Blair. Crashing the boards is one of the big reasons for the spurs success this season and you have to credit the coaching staff for starting Blair with Duncan witch didn't seem like a good combination heading into the season.
2. Offensively-Offensively this is probably the best team the spurs have ever had. You have two incredibly gifted slashers, facilitators and penetrators in Parker and Ginobili. You surround them with great shooters with bonner, Neal, and Jefferson. Coming off the bench you have another very good perimeter player in George hill. You also have a good pick and pop guy with Dice. Then you have a offensive possession extender in Blair in case any of those guys miss. You can beat them in transition or in the half court. Pick your poison. Oh wait, I also forgot about that low post scorer the spurs have in Tim Duncan. He can also hit a jump shot and get other teams in foul trouble. Any one who thinks he has lost some offensive power is in for a reckoning come playoff time. He shows flashes of still getting it done and the coaching staff is obviously saving him.
3. Experience/chemistry-I know it's cliche, but I really think this hurt the spurs last season. Guys like Hill and Blair had little to no playoff experience and when the spurs got popped in the mouth by the Suns the team didn't respond correctly and it resulted in a sweep. On top of that you had other guys who played a huge role who didn't even have a year of experience in the system. Now this year the team has seemed to gel and they play well together and enjoy playing with each other. Jefferson, Dice, and Blair have made huge strides and if things get rough I believe they will respond better than last year. Add this to the championship experience of the big 3 and it should equal success. Only guy in the rotation I'm worried about come playoff time is Neal, but I believe the spurs can survive without him if he struggles.
4.Home Court advantage-The spurs are going to have it and I believe this huge. Not having to travel as much and hearing our roars will motivate this urgent team that knows the window is closing.
The two concerns obviously are the defense and the ability to stay healthy, which are huge concerns, but both can slowly and carefully be taken care of. Just my two cents on the season. I'm very bored at work today. What do you guys think? Is this a championship team and if not is there anything they can do?
Enjoy this while it lasts and GO Spurs GO
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How do the 2011 Spurs matchup against their other great championship teams of the past?
Article is old, but I haven't seen it posted here so go ahead an move this if there is already a thread.
The site the article is on generates simulations based on stats. It has this years team beating the 1999, 2005, and 2007 spurs a majority of the time based on simulations. Against the 2003 Spurs the 2011 spurs lose a majority of the time. I believe this is solely based on statistics only, but it does bring up the ? of whether or not this is a championship team or not?
I've always thought the 2003 spurs were the best overall team San Antonio has ever had. They had a strong team all around. Defensively they had two great shot blockers obviously, but you also had one of the best perimeter defenders of all time in Bruce Bowen. Offensively, they had Tim and David down low. They also had good shooters in Bowen, Stephen Jackson and steve Kerr. On top of that you had three guys that could create their own shots in Manu, Parker, and Jackson. Yes they did have prime Tim Duncan, but they were plenty of other options. They were a very great balanced out team.
I think 1999 was the best team the spurs have ever had defensively with not one, but two great perimeter defenders in Elliott and Elie in addition to prime twin tower shot blocking.
What I want to know is when you break it down (overlooking any potential problems such as injuries) is this a championship caliber team? Record says so, but do they really have what it takes or not? In my opinion they are and I have 4 reasons.
1. Rebounding-From what I can remember this is the best rebounding team the spurs have ever had. Ever box score i look at the spurs usually out rebound their opponents. You have two great rebounders in Blair and Duncan. This is also the first time I can remember the spurs having another solid rebounder coming off the bench with Antonio mcdyess. I believe having great rebounders helps eliminate the problems you come about when facing teams with size. Help defenders are less reluctant to help when they know they are responsible for men like Duncan and Blair. Crashing the boards is one of the big reasons for the spurs success this season and you have to credit the coaching staff for starting Blair with Duncan witch didn't seem like a good combination heading into the season.
2. Offensively-Offensively this is probably the best team the spurs have ever had. You have two incredibly gifted slashers, facilitators and penetrators in Parker and Ginobili. You surround them with great shooters with bonner, Neal, and Jefferson. Coming off the bench you have another very good perimeter player in George hill. You also have a good pick and pop guy with Dice. Then you have a offensive possession extender in Blair in case any of those guys miss. You can beat them in transition or in the half court. Pick your poison. Oh wait, I also forgot about that low post scorer the spurs have in Tim Duncan. He can also hit a jump shot and get other teams in foul trouble. Any one who thinks he has lost some offensive power is in for a reckoning come playoff time. He shows flashes of still getting it done and the coaching staff is obviously saving him.
3. Experience/chemistry-I know it's cliche, but I really think this hurt the spurs last season. Guys like Hill and Blair had little to no playoff experience and when the spurs got popped in the mouth by the Suns the team didn't respond correctly and it resulted in a sweep. On top of that you had other guys who played a huge role who didn't even have a year of experience in the system. Now this year the team has seemed to gel and they play well together and enjoy playing with each other. Jefferson, Dice, and Blair have made huge strides and if things get rough I believe they will respond better than last year. Add this to the championship experience of the big 3 and it should equal success. Only guy in the rotation I'm worried about come playoff time is Neal, but I believe the spurs can survive without him if he struggles.
4.Home Court advantage-The spurs are going to have it and I believe this huge. Not having to travel as much and hearing our roars will motivate this urgent team that knows the window is closing.
The two concerns obviously are the defense and the ability to stay healthy, which are huge concerns, but both can slowly and carefully be taken care of. Just my two cents on the season. I'm very bored at work today. What do you guys think? Is this a championship team and if not is there anything they can do?
Enjoy this while it lasts and GO Spurs GO
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