timvp
02-17-2012, 06:28 PM
Previously, we looked at the bigman combinations (http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=191194). Today, I present the same stats but for the entire team.
IMO, this is the best form of plus/minus stats. It puts everything into context and allows you to make reasonably sound decisions. 82games.com used to post these numbers ... until Mark Cuban hired the guy who runs the site and then they suddenly disappeared.
Let me know if you have any questions regarding the format. It's pretty straight forward -- with the color coding based on the columns. Green means that the player in the column improved the number for the player in the row. Basically, the more green in a player's column, the better.
Point Differential Per 100 Possessions
http://oi43.tinypic.com/97pb8j.jpg
Points Scored Per 100 Possessions
http://oi39.tinypic.com/2d1b1e.jpg
Points Allowed Per 100 Possessions
http://oi44.tinypic.com/1gnfw5.jpg
Observations:
-Manu Ginobili is an offensive wizard; those are some amazingly good numbers across the board. On defense, his numbers ain't half bad, either. Ginobili and Danny Green is definitely a combination Pop should consider playing a lot in the coming weeks.
-Speaking of Green, while his overall plus/minus isn't the best on the team, his player pairs numbers are the most impressive, IMO. He was really, really close to making each member of the team better on both offense and defense. That's something only superstars accomplish. While this will likely change once the sample size increases, it does validate Green's surprisingly good play so far this season.
-These numbers indicate that Tim Duncan is still far and away the best defender on the team. And, subjectively, I agree. However, the offensive numbers say he's trying to do too much. It can't be a coincidence that both Ginobili and Tony Parker struggle to score the most when paired with Duncan and that they both dominate when Duncan is on the bench. Duncan really needs to take more of a complementary role on offense. And now that Ginobili has returned, hopefully he'll be comfortable doing so.
-Parker's numbers are strong across the board. On defense, as long as he's not paired with Gary Neal, he's damn effective. Offensively, he does an especially good job when paired with the bench players.
-Richard Jefferson is a wreck on offense. He literally makes everyone on the team worse on that end of the court. While a lot of other players get blamed for bogging down the offense, these numbers say that no one is as responsible as RJ. The little value Jefferson retains is by being above average on defense -- but if you watched him play lately, you probably are with me in doubting that his D will hold up for too much longer. He's getting worse and worse on that end and has looked especially slow in the last handful of games. And if he slips much further on D, he'll become a total liability. As it stands, it's getting really difficult to justify him playing any minutes.
-At first glance, Kawhi Leonard's numbers look horrible due to all the red. But there is one shining beacon of hope: Leonard's numbers when paired with Ginobili. The Spurs have been great on both ends with Leonard and Ginobili on the court. Going forward, let's hope Pop plays Leonard with Ginobili as much as possible. Logically, it makes sense that Ginobili would make Leonard a lot better, so it's exciting that the numbers back that up.
-Looking at DeJuan Blair's differential, it appears as if he's a major problem. But, upon inspection, you can actually fit him in without causing much damage. When he's playing with one of the Big 3, he's not half bad. As long as you keep him away from ever playing with Bonner or Neal, Blair won't kill you.
-Tiago Splitter's numbers are mostly very strong. Unfortunately, the one weakness is pretty major: to date, he simply can't co-exist with Duncan. The offense goes down the drain and the defense isn't close to compensating. Let's hope that improves as the season goes along. These numbers also suggest that Splitter is best when surrounded by shooters, which makes sense for a player who relies on pick-and-roll sets and post-ups.
-When Bonner isn't paired with Blair, it's difficult to find fault in any of this numbers. Although, his defensive numbers when paired with Parker or Ginobili are probably sub par due to him not being able to protect the rim.
-Offensively, Neal is nearly in the Ginobili stratosphere when he's not playing next to a point guard other than Parker. Defensively, though, he has a lot of work to do. Thankfully, it appears as if he's been better on that end as of late.
-The sample size needs some expanding but James Anderson isn't a total bust on paper. Other than his odd inability to thrive thus far when paired with Ginobili, his numbers are pretty impressive.
-TJ Ford was off to a productive start. His numbers when playing next to Parker or Ginobili are jaw-dropping. That said, Neal not especially flourishing next to Splitter is a little bit concerning since the Spurs are relying on Splitter so much right now. Once Ford returns, let's hope he increases his cohesiveness with Splitter.
-Well, at least Cory Joseph's numbers make Leonard's numbers look good in comparison. Joseph has been bad offensively but has been absolutely horrible defensively. If not for Duncan helping his defensive numbers, Joseph would be on a historically bad pace.
IMO, this is the best form of plus/minus stats. It puts everything into context and allows you to make reasonably sound decisions. 82games.com used to post these numbers ... until Mark Cuban hired the guy who runs the site and then they suddenly disappeared.
Let me know if you have any questions regarding the format. It's pretty straight forward -- with the color coding based on the columns. Green means that the player in the column improved the number for the player in the row. Basically, the more green in a player's column, the better.
Point Differential Per 100 Possessions
http://oi43.tinypic.com/97pb8j.jpg
Points Scored Per 100 Possessions
http://oi39.tinypic.com/2d1b1e.jpg
Points Allowed Per 100 Possessions
http://oi44.tinypic.com/1gnfw5.jpg
Observations:
-Manu Ginobili is an offensive wizard; those are some amazingly good numbers across the board. On defense, his numbers ain't half bad, either. Ginobili and Danny Green is definitely a combination Pop should consider playing a lot in the coming weeks.
-Speaking of Green, while his overall plus/minus isn't the best on the team, his player pairs numbers are the most impressive, IMO. He was really, really close to making each member of the team better on both offense and defense. That's something only superstars accomplish. While this will likely change once the sample size increases, it does validate Green's surprisingly good play so far this season.
-These numbers indicate that Tim Duncan is still far and away the best defender on the team. And, subjectively, I agree. However, the offensive numbers say he's trying to do too much. It can't be a coincidence that both Ginobili and Tony Parker struggle to score the most when paired with Duncan and that they both dominate when Duncan is on the bench. Duncan really needs to take more of a complementary role on offense. And now that Ginobili has returned, hopefully he'll be comfortable doing so.
-Parker's numbers are strong across the board. On defense, as long as he's not paired with Gary Neal, he's damn effective. Offensively, he does an especially good job when paired with the bench players.
-Richard Jefferson is a wreck on offense. He literally makes everyone on the team worse on that end of the court. While a lot of other players get blamed for bogging down the offense, these numbers say that no one is as responsible as RJ. The little value Jefferson retains is by being above average on defense -- but if you watched him play lately, you probably are with me in doubting that his D will hold up for too much longer. He's getting worse and worse on that end and has looked especially slow in the last handful of games. And if he slips much further on D, he'll become a total liability. As it stands, it's getting really difficult to justify him playing any minutes.
-At first glance, Kawhi Leonard's numbers look horrible due to all the red. But there is one shining beacon of hope: Leonard's numbers when paired with Ginobili. The Spurs have been great on both ends with Leonard and Ginobili on the court. Going forward, let's hope Pop plays Leonard with Ginobili as much as possible. Logically, it makes sense that Ginobili would make Leonard a lot better, so it's exciting that the numbers back that up.
-Looking at DeJuan Blair's differential, it appears as if he's a major problem. But, upon inspection, you can actually fit him in without causing much damage. When he's playing with one of the Big 3, he's not half bad. As long as you keep him away from ever playing with Bonner or Neal, Blair won't kill you.
-Tiago Splitter's numbers are mostly very strong. Unfortunately, the one weakness is pretty major: to date, he simply can't co-exist with Duncan. The offense goes down the drain and the defense isn't close to compensating. Let's hope that improves as the season goes along. These numbers also suggest that Splitter is best when surrounded by shooters, which makes sense for a player who relies on pick-and-roll sets and post-ups.
-When Bonner isn't paired with Blair, it's difficult to find fault in any of this numbers. Although, his defensive numbers when paired with Parker or Ginobili are probably sub par due to him not being able to protect the rim.
-Offensively, Neal is nearly in the Ginobili stratosphere when he's not playing next to a point guard other than Parker. Defensively, though, he has a lot of work to do. Thankfully, it appears as if he's been better on that end as of late.
-The sample size needs some expanding but James Anderson isn't a total bust on paper. Other than his odd inability to thrive thus far when paired with Ginobili, his numbers are pretty impressive.
-TJ Ford was off to a productive start. His numbers when playing next to Parker or Ginobili are jaw-dropping. That said, Neal not especially flourishing next to Splitter is a little bit concerning since the Spurs are relying on Splitter so much right now. Once Ford returns, let's hope he increases his cohesiveness with Splitter.
-Well, at least Cory Joseph's numbers make Leonard's numbers look good in comparison. Joseph has been bad offensively but has been absolutely horrible defensively. If not for Duncan helping his defensive numbers, Joseph would be on a historically bad pace.