Diagnosing the Problems on Defense

[timvp]

Before the season, if you would have told me Manu Ginobili would miss 25 of the first 34 games for the Spurs, I would have thought the team would be in a world of hurt. Ginobili, especially in the last couple seasons, had become such a vital cog in the machine that it was inconceivable that the Spurs could be fine without him. But at 24-10, the Spurs are more than fine. At the All-Star break, San Antonio sits comfortably in the second spot in a stacked Western Conference.

How have the Spurs done it? To put it simply, Tony Parker has stepped up and is playing some of the best basketball of his career. The All-Star is not only scoring but he's setting up his teammates better than ever. The Spurs have given him the ball more and Parker has flourished. Due to his efforts, the Spurs have the fifth most efficient offense in the NBA.

Unfortunately, the performance on the other side of the court hasn't been as successful. Not long ago, the Spurs were always one of the best defensive teams in the NBA. This season? San Antonio is below average for the first time in the Tim Duncan era. Last year, they were 11th in the league in defense. The 2012 Spurs have dropped even further and now sit 16th overall on D.

In this graph, you can see how the Spurs have gone from elite to sub par.

(In each of the following graphs, 100 is set to league average.)

http://oi39.tinypic.com/beeg40.jpg

What is wrong with the Spurs defense this season? The answer is complicated. San Antonio's defensive system requires a lot of precision and there are many moving parts. The basics of how the Spurs defense is supposed to work are as follows:

-Ballhandlers are pressured enough to avoid giving up open shots but not enough to pick up cheap fouls.

-When a ballhandler looks to drive, the Spurs force that ballhandler to drive toward the baseline.

-When a ballhandler is driving, perimeter help defenders whose man is beyond the three-point line are to stick to their man and not offer help.

-When a ballhandler is driving, a bigman is to rotate over and challenge any attempt near the rim.

-Any Spurs player below the free throw line is expected to aggressively crash the boards to limit the number of offensive rebounds allowed.

While a lot of the defensive stats have slipped over the years, there remain a few bright spots. Let's begin there.

First of all, the Spurs of today remain a great defensive rebounding team.

http://oi43.tinypic.com/2cet6ar.jpg

Currently, the Spurs are the second best defensive rebounding squad in the NBA. And though they aren't up to their 2009 standards, it must be mentioned that the 2009 Spurs were the best defensive rebounding team in NBA history, so that bar is unfairly high. As is, the Spurs of today rebound well enough to be a great defensive team.

Avoiding fouls and avoid sending the opponent to the free throw line is also a key to the Spurs defensive philosophy. This year, the Spurs have been really good at doing just that; their drop in defensive efficiency doesn't have anything to do with too many free throws.

http://oi42.tinypic.com/zx4660.jpg

A third strength, which is actually surprising, is the fact that the 2012 Spurs are doing a really good job of not allowing opponents to attempt shots at the rim.

http://oi44.tinypic.com/2h68tna.jpg

However, if you've watched the Spurs this season, you probably recognize that there is something fishy with that number. The bigs this season simply aren't defending the rim as well as Spurs teams of the best. A closer look proves that this number isn't as impressive as it appears at first glance.

http://oi41.tinypic.com/24maw06.jpg

As you can see in the chart above, the Spurs are now a below average team in terms of FG% allowed at the rim. If the Spurs are worse than ever at defending the rim, why are teams not exploiting that weakness more often? The answer is obvious in the statistics: the Spurs are sending a lot more help from the perimeter in an attempt to patch this weakness.

Arguably the ultimate strength of the Spurs defense over the years has been the team's ability to limit three-point field goals. They've been ridiculously good at doing so, mostly because the Spurs rarely send help. But this season, as you can see in the graph below, the Spurs are no longer elite when it comes to limiting three-pointers and that's due to being forced to pack the paint.

http://oi43.tinypic.com/2epsspz.jpg

And though the Spurs are doing a good job of denying made shots right at the rim, their inability to defend shots from the 4-to-10 feet range remains poor. It fell off last season and is slightly worse this season. Shots from this range usually include attempts from bigmen posting up and smaller players shooting runners in the lane.

http://oi42.tinypic.com/291ottu.jpg

Perhaps the most jaw-dropping difference between this year's team and the Spurs teams of the past can be seen in the following chart. This year, the Spurs are really bad at defending two-pointers outside of ten feet. It's especially troubling because the Spurs had been improving in this area in recent years.

http://oi42.tinypic.com/2ltime.jpg

Stats from Synergy Sports offer a clue for why the Spurs are having trouble defending long two-pointers. According to the Synergy Sports numbers, the Spurs are among the four worst teams in the NBA at defending pick-and-rolls (27th), isolations (28th) and shots created off of screens (30th).

So, what can the Spurs do to reclaim their defensive glory of yesteryear? First, I don't think the Spurs can reasonably expect to improve much in this lockout condensed season in which practices are at a premium. An attainable goal may be to play as well defensively as they did last season. While doing that wouldn't make the Spurs anything close to a championship favorite, it'd give San Antonio a fighting chance come the postseason. A slightly above average defense could be enough to make noise -- as long as the offense is elite.

The key to any defensive improvement is to shore up the defense in the paint. The Spurs defensive philosophy relies on bigmen who are able to defend the rim because the perimeter players are asked to funnel ballhandlers toward the basket. If the bigmen don't do their job and require help, you see the type of breakdowns witnessed this season.

One possible solution would be to trade for a shotblocker. As you can view in the following graph, the Spurs haven't been the same since their shotblocking stopped being a strength.

http://oi42.tinypic.com/jk7rcx.jpg

I can't say it's a complete coincidence that the Spurs have stopped winning championships ever since their shotblocking fell off the map. That said, trading for a shotblocking isn't simple because that shotblocker would have to also allow the Spurs to remain elite on the offensive end. Shotblockers who are also capable offensively are rare -- and usually rather expensive.

A second possible solution is to alter the rotation to play the best defensive bigmen as much as possible. In other words, start Tiago Splitter next to Tim Duncan. They are obviously the two best defensive bigmen on the Spurs and the team's best two shotblockers. The hope would be the duo could shore up the middle and then a trickle down effect will be felt everywhere else defensively.

The third solution is to hope against hope that the defense as currently constructed can improve. In this scenario, you'd have to believe that the shooting on two-pointers outside of ten feet is a fluke and once that number normalizes, the defense can return to last year's level. You'd also have to believe that the personnel has a lot of room for growth and that there is enough time to reach the potential.

Personally, I'd prefer one of the first two solutions. Perhaps that long two-pointer percentage will regress a bit but I don't think it'd be wise to bet the season on that happening.

[weebo]

I think the condensed schedule has hurt the Spurs defensively. Think about it. Defense is more about energy and after playing so many games consecutively something has to give.

[DPG21920]

Timvp, trading for a shot blocker shouldn't impact the offense too much because they would be replacing Blair. While Blair's offensive numbers aren't bad, they aren't impactful numbers on a consistent basis.

Who do you think would be some reasonable targets for a shot blocker and do you think the Spurs will address this issue in a meaningful way?

[therealtruth]

One possible solution would be to trade for a shotblocker. As you can view in the following graph, the Spurs haven't been the same since their shotblocking stopped being a strength.

http://oi42.tinypic.com/jk7rcx.jpg

I can't say it's a complete coincidence that the Spurs have stopped winning championships ever since their shotblocking fell off the map. That said, trading for a shotblocking isn't simple because that shotblocker would have to also allow the Spurs to remain elite on the offensive end. Shotblockers who are also capable offensively are rare -- and usually rather expensive.

A second possible solution is to alter the rotation to play the best defensive bigmen as much as possible. In other words, start Tiago Splitter next to Tim Duncan. They are obviously the two best defensive bigmen on the Spurs and the team's best two shotblockers. The hope would be the duo could shore up the middle and then a trickle down effect will be felt everywhere else defensively.

The third solution is to hope against hope that the defense as currently constructed can improve. In this scenario, you'd have to believe that the shooting on two-pointers outside of ten feet is a fluke and once that number normalizes, the defense can return to last year's level. You'd also have to believe that the personnel has a lot of room for growth and that there is enough time to reach the potential.

Personally, I'd prefer one of the first two solutions. Perhaps that long two-pointer percentage will regress a bit but I don't think it'd be wise to bet the season on that happening.

Thanks for the excellent writeup timvp. Your analysis basically explains why the Grizzlies won last year. The weakness in the middle required the perimeter players to help so much that the Spurs advantage on the perimeter with TP/Manu was negated. If they had enough good defensive bigs and didn't help so much I think the Spurs would have had much less trouble.

I've been advocating position two since the beginning of last season. However for that to happen the Spurs need to pickup a veteran big man who can defend and rebound and hit the midrange jumper like Dice. They had one last season in Dice but chose not to play Splitter.

I think the only hope the defense has of becoming championship caliber is getting TD and TS to work together. They have the ability to force the opponent into tougher shots. Also that combo has the potential to punish opponents for playing small ball.

[Bruno]

The solution isn't to add a shot-blocker or to start Splitter, it's both.

For example, a player like Robin Lopez is in the doghouse with Phoenix. He played 8.4 mpg in February. Blair + Anderson for Lopez works salary wise and I can really see Suns liking this trade. After that move, Spurs would start Splitter with Duncan. Bonner and Lopez would be backups.

The starting SG/SF combination should also change with Ginobili healthy.

[Brazil]

:tu great writeup

[wildbill2u]

Defense isn't an entity unto itself. Defense is keyed to your personnel who have to perform their assigned roles. Most of the fall off over the past two years is because we don't have a very good defensive center.

Blair is simply overmatched too many times in too many games by too many people. Whose defensive rebounding has fallen off from last year? I've seen more athletic players simply jump higher and go over Blair to snare rebounds. His defensive lapses at the rim and lack of mobility to defend in that critical 4-10 ft range have been exposed this year for whatever reason. Maybe the league is just catching on to Blair's limitations.

You can't expect a defense that is predicated on the big men rotating over and defending the rim to work with Blair as our starting center, operating against the cream of the NBA centers.

So we aren't going to be the same old defensive Spurs and the overall game strategy will have to change to allow for that.

[DPG21920]

Bruno, I would love that trade, but do you think the Spurs make such a move in reality? Basically, what are the odds the Spurs actually make a trade in your opinion and what would be the hold up in a scenario like you brought up? I feel the Spurs seem to feel pretty good about their chances as is.

[Mugen]

great writeup, thanks timvp.

IMO, the defense is what it is. Sure they can get a little bit better as the season progresses but that's not gonna happen as long as guys like RJ/Bonner/Blair get regular minutes or even two out of those three.

TP/Manu/Kawhi/Tiago/TD is an above average defensive lineup, at least on paper. But I highly doubt Pop will trust that lineup in the POs unless Kawhi all of a sudden becomes a lights out shooter or the offense is run through Tiago. Neither are likely to happen.

that said, i think it's good enough to get this team to the 2nd round or WCF. But the only chance this team has to get to the Finals or a championship is if it shoots lights out from 3.

[dylankerouac]

Great write-up and analysis timpv. I hope you are right and the team finds someone that can fill that role.

[Bruno]

Bruno, I would love that trade, but do you think the Spurs make such a move in reality? Basically, what are the odds the Spurs actually make a trade in your opinion and what would be the hold up in a scenario like you brought up? I feel the Spurs seem to feel pretty good about their chances as is.

Pop doesn't like Blair and is certainly isn't fine with being to have him as a starter. Pop also doesn't seem comfortable with Pairing Tiago and Tim. At the end, it's up to what Pop dislikes the less. If it's pairing Tiago and Tim, as it should be, then I can really see Spurs doing a trade like that.

Don't forget that Spurs went after Kenyon Martin. It quite shows that they aren't fully pleased with what they have.

[jjktkk]

Thanks for the writeup Tim.

[DPG21920]

Pop doesn't like Blair and is certainly isn't fine with being to have him as a starter. Pop also doesn't seem comfortable with Pairing Tiago and Tim. At the end, it's up to what Pop dislikes the less. If it's pairing Tiago and Tim, as it should be, then I can really see Spurs doing a trade like that.

Don't forget that Spurs went after Kenyon Martin. It quite shows that they aren't fully pleased with what they have.

I should have clarified; I meant via trade and adding to vs taking away. Kenyon would have simply added to what they have, while a trade would be subtraction of something to bring in something else. That is what I meant when I said I get the feeling they are comfortable with what they have.

[Bruno]

I should have clarified; I meant via trade and adding to vs taking away. Kenyon would have simply added to what they have, while a trade would be subtraction of something to bring in something else. That is what I meant when I said I get the feeling they are comfortable with what they have.

Well, I disagree.

Martin isn't an end of the bench player who would have been signed to have some depth. He would have played a solid amount of minutes with Spurs and he would have pushed a player (likely Blair) out of the rotation. Spurs certainly aren't that comfortable with what they have if they were ready to add a player who would have changed their rotation.

[acoelho1]

Nice write-up. I think they are making steady improvement on defense but have probably reached their ceiling. I just can't see this team being an elite defensive team with Blair/Bonner getting as many minutes as they do. I hope a deal can be worked out for defensive big. R. Lopez would be perfect in my book and suggested that same trade scenario in another thread. I don't expect the Suns to resign him since they have Gortat in the fold. However, they may not be interested in Blair/Anderson.

[therealtruth]

Well, I disagree.

Martin isn't an end of the bench player who would have been signed to have some depth. He would have played a solid amount of minutes with Spurs and he would have pushed a player (likely Blair) out of the rotation. Spurs certainly aren't that comfortable with what they have if they were ready to add a player who would have changed their rotation.

I wonder how much Pop is willing to change the rotation for better defense. I think his Bonner love and insistence on spacing the floor won't allow him. Otherwise Splitter would have been starting from day 1 last year.

[GSH]

Timvp - this season the Spurs have had recurring problems with guys having career (or near-career) nights against them. At times it seems like a fluke, i.e. Ben Wallace sinking a long jumper and a 3-pointer in rapid succession. But when something keeps happening, it gets harder to believe it can be coincidence. I'd like to hear your thoughts.

Here's the specific thing I'm trying to get my head around: when mid-level players continue to have their best shooting nights of the season (sometimes several seasons) against the Spurs, the inference is that this defense is potentially worse than any other that they face. After all, if they could shoot like that against other teams, their numbers would look better, and they would be star-level players. I know guys just get hot sometimes. But that many guys don't randomly get hot against one team. It's got to have something to do with the defense.

The numbers indicate that the Spurs defense has fallen to below-average, which I can't argue with. But is there some aspect at which they are basement-level? Otherwise, how do you explain the frequent breakout games?

[The Truth #6]

I'm curious what people think of Leonard's defense. I remember a few articles that both praised his post defense and highlighted his weakness on defending penetration and PnR (iirc). Most people here seem to think he's a good (with potential to be great) perimeter defender. I hope that's actually true. I remember him pressuring Rudy Gay and Durant well. My hope is that his individual defense against star players will shine in the playoffs, where isolations seem to happen more often.

As for the team defense, I'm somewhat surprised to see it regress because it feels like we have better individual defenders compared to last year: Leonard, Splitter (now that he's playing) and Green.

[DPG21920]

GSH, those 3 stats within the defensive metrics explain a lot: PnR, Iso's & Screen defense.

[therealtruth]

Didn't the defense philosophy change to allowing long two's since it's the least efficient shot? There's no point forcing players towards the shot blockers when TD and TS are the only shot blockers and they don't play together. Even if we saw more TD and TS and/or we got another shot blocker it seems the defensive principles would have to change.

[ThaBigFundamental21]

Gay.

[GSH]

GSH, those 3 stats within the defensive metrics explain a lot: PnR, Iso's & Screen defense.

Ah. A couple of sentences under that chart, and I guess I sort of scanned over them. Yeah, that'll do it. Those are definitely bottom-of-the-barrel stats. And that's what the results look like.

It's just hard to believe that the Spurs could be with the worst in the league in a defensive stat. It's those things that are just killing them. You're going to give up points to the Durants and Kevin Martins. But giving up 26 to Jarret Jack? That's just hard to believe from the Spurs.

[Bruno]

BTW, timvp, speaking of synergy sports stats, you should take a look at Spurs offensive numbers. They are quite interesting.

For people interested:
link: http://www.mysynergysports.com/synergystats/?away=spurs&home=heat then click on "Go To Plays"

[timvp]

I think the condensed schedule has hurt the Spurs defensively. Think about it. Defense is more about energy and after playing so many games consecutively something has to give.

Interesting thought but it doesn't quite fit what we're seeing:

1. Offenses around the league are much worse than they were last season. If anything, that shows scoring is more effected by the condensed schedule than defense.

2. Pop is spreading the minutes so well that no one on the Spurs should be more tired than the average player on a random team.

3. Duncan and Parker have probably been pushed the hardest but their defensive numbers are the best on the team.

4. The Spurs defense has been better lately after starting slow. If the condensed schedule was at fault, it would have been the other way around.

[Phenomanul]

timvp, does that 2011-2012 data factor out the Portland game Pop "tanked"...??? I imagine that one game goes a long way in making our defense look worse...

[Phenomanul]

Excellent write-up BTW... :tu

[timvp]

Timvp, trading for a shot blocker shouldn't impact the offense too much because they would be replacing Blair. While Blair's offensive numbers aren't bad, they aren't impactful numbers on a consistent basis. While Blair has his shortcomings and his offensive production is spotty at best, he fits next to Duncan -- and that's something that is far from automatic for a bigman. As we saw in the last Player Pairs, Blair actually helps the offense when paired with Duncan.

In theory, it sounds easy to replace Blair with anyone and enjoy the gains from the defensive improvement ... but it's not quite that simple. For example, if Splitter were on another team, he'd look like a great fit next to Duncan. But as we've seen this season, the fit isn't so seamless.


Who do you think would be some reasonable targets for a shot blocker and do you think the Spurs will address this issue in a meaningful way?

I haven't really thought about reasonable targets. The Spurs have been after Marcus Camby the last three trade deadlines to fit that role ... but I don't think the Blazers have any reason to trade him this time around.

Robin Lopez makes some sense but he's an example of a bigman that wouldn't work next to Duncan.

And while I'm confident the Spurs know they could use another shotblocker, it's damn hard to find a competent one. It'd take a minor miracle to locate one that fills all the needs and can be had for what the Spurs have to offer.

[spurs10]

Great write up, thanks. I, too wonder how our defense has improved the last 12 games or so, excluding the tanking in Portland. I just hope we are improving. You'd think so...??

[timvp]

The solution isn't to add a shot-blocker or to start Splitter, it's both.Can't really disagree. If the Spurs did those two things and the long two-pointers turned out to be a fluke, that'd be the best of all worlds.

:toast


So we aren't going to be the same old defensive Spurs and the overall game strategy will have to change to allow for that.I have been wondering something similar lately. Basically, Pop's defensive philosophy looked great when he had all-time great defenders anchoring it in Robinson and Duncan and when he had a shutdown perimeter defender in Bowen. But now that the personnel has changed, shouldn't Pop change the philosophy. Funneling players to Blair and Bonner just doesn't make much sense.

A change in philosophy that had the perimeter players stop funneling and instead attempt to stay in front of players makes some sense. But then again, it would have been impossible to install a new defense between the end of the lockout and the beginning of the season.

[timvp]

BTW, timvp, speaking of synergy sports stats, you should take a look at Spurs offensive numbers. They are quite interesting.

For people interested:
link: http://www.mysynergysports.com/synergystats/?away=spurs&home=heat then click on "Go To Plays"Thanks. I hadn't seen that "scouting report" option. I got my Synergy subscription -- highly recommended. There's so much info that it's difficult to digest it all :lol


timvp, does that 2011-2012 data factor out the Portland game Pop "tanked"...??? I imagine that one game goes a long way in making our defense look worse...

I thought about taking out that game but when I ran the numbers they actually didn't skew the numbers that much either way. Plus, the Spurs have "tanked" a number of games in the past so each season already has some tanking built in to the numbers.

[therealtruth]

Robin Lopez makes some sense but he's an example of a bigman that wouldn't work next to Duncan.


I think this would allow Splitter to start. Splitter would be an upgrade over Blair. Lopez would take Splitter's role of the bench. He would play well with Bonner since he has some lowpost game.

[Spursfanfromafar]

Robin Lopez makes some sense but he's an example of a bigman that wouldn't work next to Duncan.

And while I'm confident the Spurs know they could use another shotblocker, it's damn hard to find a competent one. It'd take a minor miracle to locate one that fills all the needs and can be had for what the Spurs have to offer.

Timvp, Skill-wise, what kind of shot blocking capable bigman would work best with Duncan?

[DMC]

We cannot shuffle the pieces and make a worthwhile impact. I think we have acquired offense for too long to just pick up one guy and hope we become stoppers.

Look at what we have:

Neal: poor defender

RJ: Poor defender

Blair: Poor defender

Green: mid to poor defender

Bonner: poor defender

CJ: Poor defender

Anderson: Mid to poor defender

TJ: not sure

KL: Good defender

Manu: Good defender while he's healthy

Tony: Mid level

Tim: Good defender

Tiago: Good defender in the paint, not much outside of it but that's ok


We need to have good starting defense 1 - 5 and at least half the bench needs to be able to defend the PnR and rotate.

We just don't have the pieces to suddenly become elite defensively. It takes more time to do that than to become elite offensively.

I think the owners/managers decided that we were too defensive minded, that we needed to have up tempo games, maybe because we were boring or maybe because they didn't want to spend money for help for Tim. Whatever it is, we aren't going to fix it with Lopez.

[mathbzh]

I Agree with DMC. We don't have the personnal to be good on defense.

Maybe the team made a mistake last year when they tried to shift from offense to defense.
Say what you want about Phoenix but they made 2 WC finals and one semi in 3 years (2005-2007). The Spurs did not really take their offense away. Instead, they ran with them while getting stops when needed.

This is what elite offense can give you. A deep playoff run untill you get into a team that has enough firepower and defense to expose your weaknesses. Considering there is no "2003-2007" Sours in the West... that team may just wait for us in the Finals.

I don't see how having a good offense with average (at best) defense is any better.

At this point, unless we can make a move that really change the team potential on defense, I think we should stick to offense and see what happens.

[therealtruth]

I Agree with DMC. We don't have the personnal to be good on defense.

Maybe the team made a mistake last year when they tried to shift from offense to defense.
Say what you want about Phoenix but they made 2 WC finals and one semi in 3 years (2005-2007). The Spurs did not really take their offense away. Instead, they ran with them while getting stops when needed.

This is what elite offense can give you. A deep playoff run untill you get into a team that has enough firepower and defense to expose your weaknesses. Considering there is no "2003-2007" Sours in the West... that team may just wait for us in the Finals.

I don't see how having a good offense with average (at best) defense is any better.

At this point, unless we can make a move that really change the team potential on defense, I think we should stick to offense and see what happens.

The RJ trade was really what started the shift towards more offense. At the time I thought it didn't make sense unless the Spurs could get RJ to play better defense like Bowen. The 15mil they traded for with RJ would have been better of getting a good big man that could defend and score.

[lurker23]

A change in philosophy that had the perimeter players stop funneling and instead attempt to stay in front of players makes some sense. But then again, it would have been impossible to install a new defense between the end of the lockout and the beginning of the season.

To make a cross-sport reference here, this is what the Philadelphia Eagles tried to do- install a new defensive scheme with a lot of new personnel in a lockout shortened offseason. By the time the final few weeks rolled around, they were playing great football, but early season struggles cost them a chance at the playoffs.

Hard to say what would have happened if the Spurs tried to do the same. Probably something similar, but who knows if one season would have been enough to make the new system work.

[Obstructed_View]

Didn't the defense philosophy change to allowing long two's since it's the least efficient shot? There's no point forcing players towards the shot blockers when TD and TS are the only shot blockers and they don't play together. Even if we saw more TD and TS and/or we got another shot blocker it seems the defensive principles would have to change.

I don't recall hearing about that strategy. I think the fear of giving up points at the rim combined with the fear of getting killed at the three point line just leaves that area open. The Spurs clearly place a lot of value in the three point shot and none in the long two pointer. It's not really a giant surprise that it's what kills them on both sides of the ball.

And I thought the funnel-the-man-baseline strategy went away some years back. We had a big discussion about it and those in the know seemed to say that it didn't happen anymore.

[SpurNation]

I can't say it's a complete coincidence that the Spurs have stopped winning championships ever since their shotblocking fell off the map. That said, trading for a shotblocking isn't simple because that shotblocker would have to also allow the Spurs to remain elite on the offensive end. Shotblockers who are also capable offensively are rare -- and usually rather expensive.

A second possible solution is to alter the rotation to play the best defensive bigmen as much as possible. In other words, start Tiago Splitter next to Tim Duncan. They are obviously the two best defensive bigmen on the Spurs and the team's best two shotblockers. The hope would be the duo could shore up the middle and then a trickle down effect will be felt everywhere else defensively.

The third solution is to hope against hope that the defense as currently constructed can improve. In this scenario, you'd have to believe that the shooting on two-pointers outside of ten feet is a fluke and once that number normalizes, the defense can return to last year's level. You'd also have to believe that the personnel has a lot of room for growth and that there is enough time to reach the potential.

Personally, I'd prefer one of the first two solutions. Perhaps that long two-pointer percentage will regress a bit but I don't think it'd be wise to bet the season on that happening.

1) Certainly not a coincidence and the main reason over the past two seasons as to opponents success against the Spurs in the playoffs. Trade not realistic in happening at this stage of the season? Or... having to give up too much in established players in order get a shot blocking big.

Solution 2 forces the Bonner/Blair combo. A disaster (as proven) waiting to happen. Unless...when pairing Tiago and Tim in the starting lineup you play the least effective perimeter defenders that provide the best opportunity for scoring. Parker, Green, Jefferson, Splitter and Duncan? Save your better 1 on 1 perimeter defenders to pair with Bonner/Blair in Ford, Ginobili and Leonard, (Ginobili providing the best offensive pairing solution for Blair)

Odd player out being Neal to be used if either Green/Jefferson is struggling or matchups favor either Green/Jefferson not starting in a particular game/scenario.

Solution 3 is current yet new compared to systems past and the Spurs are still winning. Perhaps "hope beyond hope" is an adequate description when not knowing what the future entails and compared to what's proven to work in the past. But is it being given enough time to grow and mature before prematurely changed if the offense proves to provide enough scoring to compensate until it perfects?

That will take you back to Do, Te, La, So, Fa, Me, Re, Do.

[Bruno]

While Blair has his shortcomings and his offensive production is spotty at best, he fits next to Duncan -- and that's something that is far from automatic for a bigman. As we saw in the last Player Pairs, Blair actually helps the offense when paired with Duncan.

Spurs' points scored by 48 minutes (using nba.com +/- stats):
Duncan with Blair: 93.9 (512 minutes)
Duncan without Blair: 97.2 (389 minutes)

[timvp]

Spurs' points scored by 48 minutes (using nba.com +/- stats):
Duncan with Blair: 93.9 (512 minutes)
Duncan without Blair: 97.2 (389 minutes)

Yeah, those Player Pairs are a little old now and predate the Splitter injury so it didn't account for Duncan playing with Bonner a lot more recently. I shouldn't have cited that stat, tbh. Good catch.





Damn, last ten games:

Duncan with Bonner = 106.6 points per 48 minutes
Duncan with Blair = 94.1 points per 48 minutes
Duncan with Splitter = 82.6 points per 48 minutes

Regular season Bonner is amazing :wow

[Phenomanul]

Yeah, those Player Pairs are a little old now and predate the Splitter injury so it didn't account for Duncan playing with Bonner a lot more recently. I shouldn't have cited that stat, tbh. Good catch.





Damn, last ten games:

Duncan with Bonner = 106.6 points per 48 minutes
Duncan with Blair = 94.1 points per 48 minutes
Duncan with Splitter = 82.6 points per 48 minutes

Regular season Bonner is amazing :wow

If only it was this version of the Red Rocket that showed up in the post season... :depressed :depressed

He had us believing that he could overcome his playoff suckiness near the end of Game 1 in last year's playoff debacle versus the Grizz... 2 straight clutch threes... and then it all rapidly went downhill as he made Darrell Arthur look like the second coming of Chamberlain... (I won't fault him for Z-Bo though... when healthy and focused, that guy is a legitimate stud on the low block)...

[DPG21920]

How many minutes has Tiago played w Tim the last 10?

[timvp]

Timvp, Skill-wise, what kind of shot blocking capable bigman would work best with Duncan?The optimal player would be a shotblocker on defense who is quick enough to defend the smaller fours in the league. On offense, this player would be able to shoot three-pointers to spread the floor ... or, at the very least, be a good passer who can also shoot from the midrange.

Unfortunately, that is an extremely rare type of player these days.


I think the owners/managers decided that we were too defensive minded, that we needed to have up tempo games, maybe because we were boring or maybe because they didn't want to spend money for help for Tim.Pop and the rest of the FO began thinking that the Big 3 could no longer carry the entire offensive load starting in about late 2008. Since then, we've seen the shift from defensive role players to offensive role players.


And I thought the funnel-the-man-baseline strategy went away some years back. We had a big discussion about it and those in the know seemed to say that it didn't happen anymore.I must have missed that thread. The funnel-baseline strategy is still very much alive and well. It's obviously not executed as well these days but the philosophy today is basically exactly the same as it was in 1999.

[Dex]

Yeah, the Spurs still obviously funnel opponents baseline, sometimes to a fault. It's one of my major pet-peeves of our lacking defense: sometimes our defenders seem to focus more on funneling baseline than they do actually staying in front of their man. They jump way too far out on their outside hip, at which point the baseline path to the basket is wide open.

I understand that's supposed to influence the opponent to go that way, but at the same time, it would be better to keep him guarded on the perimeter rather than to let him into the paint at all. It's like the perimeter defender is content to let the help take care of the dirty work. And while our initial help defender is usually right there, the second rotation into the paint is usually where we get beat, and teams seem to be exploiting that with cutters, mid-range pick and pops, or collapsing the defense and tossing out for wide open threes (which is ironic, because the Spurs offensive strategy seems to have also become one of their biggest defensive weaknesses).

I'm all for forcing the guy baseline, but you gotta at least make him earn it.

[Phenomanul]

Yeah, the Spurs still obviously funnel opponents baseline, sometimes to a fault. It's one of my major pet-peeves of our lacking defense: sometimes our defenders seem to focus more on funneling baseline than they do actually staying in front of their man. They jump way too far out on their outside hip, at which point the baseline path to the basket is wide open.

I understand that's supposed to influence the opponent to go that way, but at the same time, it would be better to keep him guarded on the perimeter rather than to let him into the paint at all. It's like the perimeter defender is content to let the help take care of the dirty work. And while our initial help defender is usually right there, the second rotation into the paint is usually where we get beat, and teams seem to be exploiting that with cutters and mid-range jumpers imo.

I'm all for forcing the guy baseline, but you gotta at least make him earn it.


+1 :tu

My thoughts exactly...

[Paranoid Pop]

Against Detroit Pop went with Tp Manu Kahwi Tiago Tim in the first, we got every single rebound barring a putback. Then he went with BonBon then small with Kawhi-RJ as 3 and 4.

It's clearly a roster problem, we put a great defensive 5 on the floor at times, but not all game.

[cheguevara]

"stacked western confererence"?

[Dex]

"stacked western confererence"?

I'd still consider it pretty stacked.

The separation between 3rd place and 8th is only 3.5 games, with 3 teams who are 2 games or less from fighting for that 8th spot. Of those 11 teams, only one has a losing record.

Compare that with the Eastern conference, where the 7th and 8th spot are both under .500.

[manufan10]

Yeah, the Spurs still obviously funnel opponents baseline, sometimes to a fault. It's one of my major pet-peeves of our lacking defense: sometimes our defenders seem to focus more on funneling baseline than they do actually staying in front of their man. They jump way too far out on their outside hip, at which point the baseline path to the basket is wide open.

I understand that's supposed to influence the opponent to go that way, but at the same time, it would be better to keep him guarded on the perimeter rather than to let him into the paint at all. It's like the perimeter defender is content to let the help take care of the dirty work. And while our initial help defender is usually right there, the second rotation into the paint is usually where we get beat, and teams seem to be exploiting that with cutters, mid-range pick and pops, or collapsing the defense and tossing out for wide open threes (which is ironic, because the Spurs offensive strategy seems to have also become one of their biggest defensive weaknesses).

I'm all for forcing the guy baseline, but you gotta at least make him earn it.

Great points. I've seen it quite a bit also, where (for example) Tony Parker will be right in front of the offensive player, and then adjust and play him from the hip. Basically telling the offensive player, go ahead and go baseline. It's there for you.

I understand the funneling to the baseline, because it actually gives you an "extra defender," but like Dex said, you still have to make him earn it, and stay in front of him. You can be like a bull fighter, and just move the red cape out of the way and let them run past you.

[cheguevara]

I'd still consider it pretty stacked.

The separation between 3rd place and 8th is only 3.5 games, with 3 teams who are 2 games or less from fighting for that 8th spot. Of those 11 teams, only one has a losing record.

Compare that with the Eastern conference, where the 7th and 8th spot are both under .500.

With the damage the lockout did basketball wise, play and injuries, I'd hardly call the WC stacked.

OKC stands above all then Spurs seem to be doing well regular season wise and the rest is a bunch of flawed teams. Dallas lost Chandler and Dirk was really struggling, Clippers lost Chauncey and are not that good, lakers are trash. Memphis lost their MVP. Portland/Houston? come on.

Competitive? yes. Stacked? no way

[GSH]

The optimal player would be a shotblocker on defense who is quick enough to defend the smaller fours in the league. On offense, this player would be able to shoot three-pointers to spread the floor ... or, at the very least, be a good passer who can also shoot from the midrange.

Unfortunately, that is an extremely rare type of player these days.




Rare - and pretty much unobtainable. Even without the ability to spread the floor or shoot from midrange, the pickings are pretty slim. In fact, it pretty much comes down to, "What would it take to pry Javale McGee away from Washington?" I think he could be a competent interior/baseline defender. And he's enough of an under-the-basket presence on offense that he could open up the outside shooters - if you could teach him to pass. He's definitely a good shotblocker. Dumb as a post, but a good shotblocker. Not that it matters, because Washington isn't likely to let him go.

The best way to get the guy you're looking for was to tank this season and pick him up in next year's draft. But that's not an answer anyone really wants to hear.

[velik_m]

Spurs defense went to shit the moment they traded Rasho for Bonner, it's been mostly downhill from there.

[timvp]

Yeah, the Spurs still obviously funnel opponents baseline, sometimes to a fault. It's one of my major pet-peeves of our lacking defense: sometimes our defenders seem to focus more on funneling baseline than they do actually staying in front of their man. They jump way too far out on their outside hip, at which point the baseline path to the basket is wide open.

Very good point. You just described one of Kawhi Leonard's biggest weaknesses right now. He oftentimes does too much funneling and not enough defending. It's a balance he'll learn in time but right now it can be frustrating to watch him open up a clear baseline path when his help is Blonnair.


"stacked western confererence"?

The Nuggets would get the third seed in the East and could miss the playoffs in the West. Call that what you will, tbh.

[cheguevara]

I see what you meant. I would have gone with "the tougher western conference"

my point is the level of basketball this season is pathetic. thus my problem with the "stacked' adjective.

[CGD]

The optimal player would be a shotblocker on defense who is quick enough to defend the smaller fours in the league. On offense, this player would be able to shoot three-pointers to spread the floor ... or, at the very least, be a good passer who can also shoot

Ryan Anderson of the Magic comes to mind; however, I don't think a guy needs to be able to spread the floor on offense if Duncan prioritizes his midrange shot. The spurs can then give splitter a greater role on the block.

[manufan10]

Very good point. You just described one of Kawhi Leonard's biggest weaknesses right now. He oftentimes does too much funneling and not enough defending. It's a balance he'll learn in time but right now it can be frustrating to watch him open up a clear baseline path when his help is Blonnair.



The Nuggets would get the third seed in the East and could miss the playoffs in the West. Call that what you will, tbh.

Good nickname, tbh

[GSH]

Ryan Anderson of the Magic comes to mind; however, I don't think a guy needs to be able to spread the floor on offense if Duncan prioritizes his midrange shot. The spurs can then give splitter a greater role on the block.

Ryan Anderson is their second leading scorer. There's no way the Magic lets go of that kind of size without knowing what's going to happen with Dwight Howard. Plus, Anderson isn't much of a shotblocker.

The only other remotely possible pickup I can think of is James Johnson with Toronto. He's a pretty good shotblocker, even if he is nearly as earthbound as Tim. He's also a decent passer, and a former Demon Deacon.

[Obstructed_View]

I must have missed that thread. The funnel-baseline strategy is still very much alive and well. It's obviously not executed as well these days but the philosophy today is basically exactly the same as it was in 1999.

Nah, I probably just remember it wrong. Isn't a very good strategy when you have Michael Finley playing power forward though. If they're still funneling it would explain why the Spurs have taken a nosedive on defense sinse Rasho and Nazr left.

[Cant_Be_Faded]

Hey timvp if the focus is on offensive role players, what was the logic behind trading the number four scorer on the team, that was also the backup pointguard, for a lanky wing rookie, with hardly any solid offensive skill set but seems to be very promising on defense?

[DMC]

Danny Ferry even commented a few games ago that the Spurs funnel baseline while most teams funnel to the middle.

That left side is almost always completely open just after the halfcourt transition, most of the time the opponent ignores it though. I guess other teams have their flaws too.

[Bruno]

Damn, last ten games:

Duncan with Bonner = 106.6 points per 48 minutes
Duncan with Blair = 94.1 points per 48 minutes
Duncan with Splitter = 82.6 points per 48 minutes

Regular season Bonner is amazing :wow

It's understandable while regular season Bonner do so well on the offensive end, a shooter as good as him brings a lot to the offensive execution by giving a lot of spacing.

What I wonder is how much the Duncan/Splitter offensive struggle can be put on a lack of chemistry and how much can be put on them being bad fits to play alongside? How will Ginobili starting impact that?

[ElNono]

Might be obvious, and excuse the lack of charts and graphs, but the biggest problems on defense are Tim Duncan aging and losing his dominance as a defensive force and the retirement of a perimeter defensive specialist like Bowen.

[ElNono]

Yeah, those Player Pairs are a little old now and predate the Splitter injury so it didn't account for Duncan playing with Bonner a lot more recently. I shouldn't have cited that stat, tbh. Good catch.

Damn, last ten games:

Duncan with Bonner = 106.6 points per 48 minutes
Duncan with Blair = 94.1 points per 48 minutes
Duncan with Splitter = 82.6 points per 48 minutes

Regular season Bonner is amazing :wow

Frankly, the offense numbers don't matter much, IMO. Simply because pace slows down in the playoffs and ultimately offense isn't something the contemporary Spurs have struggled with. Getting a crucial stop on the other hand...

[tenbeersbold]

Yup but against good defensive teams in the PO's Bonner is gonna be closed out upon and his slow,low release on his 3 ball shot is a killer rendering him mostly useless.Only Neal and Green have a quick shot release on the 3 ball.Even Jefferson takes a little too much time gettin' set unfortunately.that being said GO SPURS !!!!

[Agloco]

Spurs' points scored by 48 minutes (using nba.com +/- stats):
Duncan with Blair: 93.9 (512 minutes)
Duncan without Blair: 97.2 (389 minutes)




Damn, last ten games:

Duncan with Bonner = 106.6 points per 48 minutes
Duncan with Blair = 94.1 points per 48 minutes
Duncan with Splitter = 82.6 points per 48 minutes

Regular season Bonner is amazing :wow

Just a thought:

These stats are a strong function of who the other three players on the court are. This fact makes a direct comparison of these combos quite tricky imo.

:stirpot:

[Dex]

Just a thought:

These stats are a strong function of who the other three players on the court are. This fact makes a direct comparison of these combos quite tricky imo.

:stirpot:

So what you're saying is this is RJ's fault?

:lol

[ElNono]

Just a thought:

These stats are a strong function of who the other three players on the court are. This fact makes a direct comparison of these combos quite tricky imo.

:stirpot:

Yes, using that stat.

[dylankerouac]

Anyone hoping the Spurs don't get home court advantage in the playoffs? I know this would generally mean them facing tougher competition but this could be beneficial for a team like the Spurs that have many young pieces, plus our standing didn't matter much last year when we lost to the eight seed.

The first two away games of the series would basically be an adjustment period for the new blood, in addition to the Spurs probably playing some of their worst ball possible.

This sounds bad but it also gives them a chance to come home after playing bad and re-energizing their play. I would rather the team find out it's playoff faults sooner rather than later, and them not having home court advantage may give that opportunity.

Am I nuts for thinking of it in this way?

[Amuseddaysleeper]

The Spurs have the best home record in the NBA. And considering how many new/young players we have, there are much better chances that the team will play better at home than on the road.

Spurs have been a pretty poor road team in the playoffs since 2008. The more games they can get at home during the playoffs, the better.

Also, look at last year. Spurs got off on the wrong foot in Game 1, and then were playing catch up for most of the series. The Spurs lost every road game against the Grizz in the playoffs, yet had Manu played in Game 1, they were very cose to being 3-0 at home in that series with Game 7 in their building.

[therealtruth]

Against Detroit Pop went with Tp Manu Kahwi Tiago Tim in the first, we got every single rebound barring a putback. Then he went with BonBon then small with Kawhi-RJ as 3 and 4.

It's clearly a roster problem, we put a great defensive 5 on the floor at times, but not all game.

That's probably the best defensive lineup. They probably need to develop more chemistry on offense. But on defense they have the ability to limit opponents to one shot which is crucial for closing out a game and maintaining a lead.

[therealtruth]

Yup but against good defensive teams in the PO's Bonner is gonna be closed out upon and his slow,low release on his 3 ball shot is a killer rendering him mostly useless.Only Neal and Green have a quick shot release on the 3 ball.Even Jefferson takes a little too much time gettin' set unfortunately.that being said GO SPURS !!!!

Plus Bonner releases the ball from in front of him instead of overhead which makes it easier to block.

[therealtruth]

Rare - and pretty much unobtainable. Even without the ability to spread the floor or shoot from midrange, the pickings are pretty slim. In fact, it pretty much comes down to, "What would it take to pry Javale McGee away from Washington?" I think he could be a competent interior/baseline defender. And he's enough of an under-the-basket presence on offense that he could open up the outside shooters - if you could teach him to pass. He's definitely a good shotblocker. Dumb as a post, but a good shotblocker. Not that it matters, because Washington isn't likely to let him go.

The best way to get the guy you're looking for was to tank this season and pick him up in next year's draft. But that's not an answer anyone really wants to hear.

That's the Spurs problem. They're holding out for some elusive player that doesn't exist. If they didn't insist on bigmen being able to hit 3's they would not overlook competent bigs like Splitter. How did the Spurs win before Horry/Bonner?

[therealtruth]

Anyone hoping the Spurs don't get home court advantage in the playoffs? I know this would generally mean them facing tougher competition but this could be beneficial for a team like the Spurs that have many young pieces, plus our standing didn't matter much last year when we lost to the eight seed.

The first two away games of the series would basically be an adjustment period for the new blood, in addition to the Spurs probably playing some of their worst ball possible.

This sounds bad but it also gives them a chance to come home after playing bad and re-energizing their play. I would rather the team find out it's playoff faults sooner rather than later, and them not having home court advantage may give that opportunity.

Am I nuts for thinking of it in this way?

Playing and winning tough games is the best way to find out playoff faults. Easy wins don't do much for you.

[dylankerouac]

Playing and winning tough games is the best way to find out playoff faults. Easy wins don't do much for you.

I agree. Which is why I suggested the above. What would be tougher than starting the playoffs with two road games?

Winning just one of those would shift a lot of the momentum to SA and be a huge confidence builder for the young players.

[RodNIc91]

@Bruno

Who do you think the spurs are targeting right now if anyone at the trade deadline? Is a trade likely?

[rmt]

Yup but against good defensive teams in the PO's Bonner is gonna be closed out upon and his slow,low release on his 3 ball shot is a killer rendering him mostly useless.Only Neal and Green have a quick shot release on the 3 ball.Even Jefferson takes a little too much time gettin' set unfortunately.that being said GO SPURS !!!!

Have you seen how quickly Novak releases the ball? Hate when the commentators say Spurs let him go while he's draining 3s.

Pity there are no good big men around (unlike SG that Spurs like to collect).

[Bruno]

@Bruno

Who do you think the spurs are targeting right now if anyone at the trade deadline? Is a trade likely?

There is a shitload of constraints to do a trade for Spurs:
- Spurs can't take a player with a too high salary because they won't be able to match salaries. Their tradable players all have a low salary.
- Spurs won't be able to get a too good player because they don't have the assets to do so.
- Getting a bad player obviously won't help Spurs.
- Spurs don't have a lot of holes. Aside of a defensive bigman, I don't see what can really help them.
- Spurs will have cap space this summer and might want to keep it.
- Because of the luxury tax, a trade that will increase too much Spurs salaries might be vetoed by Holt.

If you sum up:
Spurs must get a defensive bigman with a low salary, who is good enough to help them and who has an expiring contract. To get him, they only have Blair, Anderson, Joseph and picks.

Well, good luck with that. Needless to say that a trade is unlikely. There are maybe a handful of realistic targets for Spurs.

The most realistic scenario if Spurs doing no trade or a meaningless one (salary dumping Anderson). Their best odd to improve their front-line is a vet PF/C waived by a lottery team before the waiving deadline (March 23).

[DesignatedT]

Really wish we would have made a push for Pryzbilla. Don't understand why we didn't even pick up the phone.


Also, Say the deadline passes and the Spurs make no move, is their any possibility at all that McDyess or the Spurs might be interested in reuniting for the rest of the season? Would anyone be in favor of this happening if there was mutual interest? I mean he knows the system and there would virtually be little to no growing pains.

[Paranoid Pop]

Really wish we would have made a push for Pryzbilla. Don't understand why we didn't even pick up the phone.

How do you know? What we do know is that he only ever considered the Heat and the Blazers, we had no chance to begin with.


Also, Say the deadline passes and the Spurs make no move, is their any possibility at all that McDyess or the Spurs might be interested in reuniting for the rest of the season? Would anyone be in favor of this happening if there was mutual interest? I mean he knows the system and there would virtually be little to no growing pains.

0, McDyess recently said that he was happy with his decision to retire.

[DesignatedT]

How do you know? What we do know is that he only ever considered the Heat and the Blazers, we had no chance to begin with.

I was just going by the many articles that stated this. "The 7-foot-1 center was pursued by Portland, Chicago, Miami and Milwaukee but decided to rejoin the Blazers last week, pending a physical exam."




, McDyess recently said that he was happy with his decision to retire.

I must have missed that. Link?

[Paranoid Pop]

I was just going by the many articles that stated this. "The 7-foot-1 center was pursued by Portland, Chicago, Miami and Milwaukee but decided to rejoin the Blazers last week, pending a physical exam."

Ok I was pretty sure I read that we were interested but who knows, at this point everyone should be thankful he didnt choose the Heat.


I must have missed that. Link?

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/spurs/article/Dad-to-be-McDyess-glad-to-be-retired-2432224.php

[DesignatedT]

Thanks, I missed this article.

[maverick1948]

I went back to the last championship year and checked the Points Allowed in the NBA and how the Spurs stand in relation from year to year.

Year avg place where we
would be with 2012 PA


2007 90.1 1st 8th
2008 90.6 3rd 5th
2009 93.3 2nd 10th
2010 96.3 8th 5th
2011 98.0 14th 9th
2012 95.6 16th


Just from this set of stats, defense has become a bigger priority for other teams. Last year, Philadelphia gave up 97.5 ppg, this year 87.5. What did they add that makes the difference? Not much, jusr a coach that has them playing D. Removing the 3 bad games this year, Por 137, Mia 120, and Den 117, we have an avg of 92.8 per game. That aint bad for 31 games.

[TD 21]

So if I'm reading you right, you've basically surmised that lack of shot blocking is a major problem, if not the major problem, for the Spurs defensive slippage in recent years. Despite this, you'd rather they continue to not only play, but start Blair, than find out if a guy like Turiaf can help them without destroying the offense?

I'm really not concerned about the offense. I have confidence that Pop and the big three would figure it out and make it work. Maybe it regresses some if they start Splitter or go with Turiaf, but if the trade off is a significant improvement defensively, I'd do it in a second. And if it doesn't work out, they can always go back to Blair. Yeah, maybe mentally they lose him in the process, but that's a risk they should be willing to take.

[jjktkk]

So if I'm reading you right, you've basically surmised that lack of shot blocking is a major problem, if not the major problem, for the Spurs defensive slippage in recent years. Despite this, you'd rather they continue to not only play, but start Blair, than find out if a guy like Turiaf can help them without destroying the offense? Or you just think Pop wouldn't go this route?

I'm really not concerned about the offense. I have confidence that Pop and the big three would figure it out and make it work. Maybe it regresses some if they start Splitter or go with Turiaf, but if the trade off is a significant improvement defensively, I'd do it in a second. But if it doesn't work out, they can always go back to Blair. Yeah, maybe mentally they lose him in the process, but that's a risk they should be willing to take.

Imo, Pop won't stop babying Blair until they find another big. Because of the Spur's lack of bigman depth, Pop can't afford to lose Blair mentally.

[MaNu4Tres]

Because of the Spur's lack of bigman depth, Pop can't afford to lose Blair mentally.

That take sounds familiar.

:downspin:

[TD 21]

Imo, Pop won't stop babying Blair until they find another big. Because of the Spur's lack of bigman depth, Pop can't afford to lose Blair mentally.

I'm talking if/when they get another big. To me, it makes sense to immediately plug that big in and find out if he can make them better. Because they know what their upside/end game is with Blair, or at least they should; and it isn't championship. I'm not suggesting it would be with whoever they may be able to acquire, but at least the possibility would exist, so long as it would provide them with more rim protection and allow them to have more balance.

[Spursfanfromafar]

I think finding a starter quality big for the PF position is going to be near impossible before the trade deadline. If there are not any decent vets worth taking a risk on.. I think one decent 10th/11th man big the Spurs can target is DJ White of the Bobcats.

A trade featuring James Anderson + Cory Joseph for DJ White + Cory Higgins is probably worthwhile.

DJ White seems to be an average big who can block shots and shoot the midrange and play decent team defense. May he can be motivated to do more in a contending team as compared to a bottom feeder like the Bobcraps.

[DMC]

Really wish we would have made a push for Pryzbilla. Don't understand why we didn't even pick up the phone.


Also, Say the deadline passes and the Spurs make no move, is their any possibility at all that McDyess or the Spurs might be interested in reuniting for the rest of the season? Would anyone be in favor of this happening if there was mutual interest? I mean he knows the system and there would virtually be little to no growing pains.
The McDyess formula failed last season. I don't think revamping it will do anything for us. We don't need edge of death people defending the paint, we need energy and length.

[jjktkk]

The McDyess formula failed last season. I don't think revamping it will do anything for us. We don't need edge of death people defending the paint, we need energy and length.

The difference, theoretically, would be Dice and Splitter change roles, with Dice comeing off the bench, playing spot minutes, maybe more.