ElNono
01-11-2013, 12:10 PM
We're playing faster and faster
MEMPHIS.- Against the Lakers we played acceptably during three quarters, but in the last one we had a mental block. We stopped attacking, stopped being aggressive and walked the court. That's why we can't be happy even though we won. Especially on the offensive end. On defense we weren't all that bad, they made their run to get close when Kobe made some impossible shots, and that can happen. The most important is the other part, what we stopped doing.
It wouldn't be a problem if it were the first time, but the reality is that in three out of the last four games we were awful on offense. Against New York we were tired after playing four games in five nights and we had less energy. We were better against Philadelphia, but against New Orleans we screwed up again. And against the Lakers it happened to us again.
Even though it's not alarming, because a 82 game season logically has up and downs, we have to pay attention to it. The offense is and has to be one of our strong points and that's something we'll have to start adjusting tonight against Memphis. Especially since we've done it much better before.
Our point average is in the top five in the NBA and it has to do with the fact we play faster and faster. Last year we also had a phenomenal season in that aspect. Looking at the specific points per possession statistics, we were among the top last season and this time around we're only in the middle of the table. It's a statistic that tracks how many times you're attacking and the percentage of scored points.
If you look at the games of my first season with the team, in 2002-2003, you can see a totally different team. It was crazy, every possession we played five against five. The explanation is that when Duncan was double teamed, that created the space we needed on offense. But about five or six years ago, Pop asked us to change that and it's been done progressively. We need to get easy baskets. Tim and I can run even though we're not the fastest guys, but the team has young guys that can run and Tony still has incredible speed on his legs. We try to generate more possessions, get the pace up and try to fastbreak more.
And the numbers, as I said, help us. Because everything has an equilibrium point. If it didn't work for us, we would stop doing it, although this season we have more turnovers than last season and in that aspect we need to improve.
Besides of the things we need to improve on, personally, in this last month I felt really good physically. Some people noticed because I dunked the ball a couple times in the last few games. With Boris Diaw and Matt Bonner we're the guys that dunk less, we have a competition going and I think I'm a bit ahead now. They have one each, and I must have five already. I'm pretty close to catching Blake Griffin! Aside from the joke, the dunking stuff is circumstantial. The important thing is that I feel good.
Lastly, I'd like to tell you I'm very happy to hear Fabri is playing again. It's great for the National League, but above all because he needed to close his career in a different way, on the court. He couldn't do it in the Olympic Games and I think that affected him a bit. I didn't think he would try to come back, but he found the courage and I'm happy. If he's coming back it's because he has thought about it for a while and he's sure of what he's doing. He feels it's going to be good for him. And if he's happy, then I'm happy for him.
http://canchallena.lanacion.com.ar/1544786-jugamos-cada-vez-mas-rapido
MEMPHIS.- Against the Lakers we played acceptably during three quarters, but in the last one we had a mental block. We stopped attacking, stopped being aggressive and walked the court. That's why we can't be happy even though we won. Especially on the offensive end. On defense we weren't all that bad, they made their run to get close when Kobe made some impossible shots, and that can happen. The most important is the other part, what we stopped doing.
It wouldn't be a problem if it were the first time, but the reality is that in three out of the last four games we were awful on offense. Against New York we were tired after playing four games in five nights and we had less energy. We were better against Philadelphia, but against New Orleans we screwed up again. And against the Lakers it happened to us again.
Even though it's not alarming, because a 82 game season logically has up and downs, we have to pay attention to it. The offense is and has to be one of our strong points and that's something we'll have to start adjusting tonight against Memphis. Especially since we've done it much better before.
Our point average is in the top five in the NBA and it has to do with the fact we play faster and faster. Last year we also had a phenomenal season in that aspect. Looking at the specific points per possession statistics, we were among the top last season and this time around we're only in the middle of the table. It's a statistic that tracks how many times you're attacking and the percentage of scored points.
If you look at the games of my first season with the team, in 2002-2003, you can see a totally different team. It was crazy, every possession we played five against five. The explanation is that when Duncan was double teamed, that created the space we needed on offense. But about five or six years ago, Pop asked us to change that and it's been done progressively. We need to get easy baskets. Tim and I can run even though we're not the fastest guys, but the team has young guys that can run and Tony still has incredible speed on his legs. We try to generate more possessions, get the pace up and try to fastbreak more.
And the numbers, as I said, help us. Because everything has an equilibrium point. If it didn't work for us, we would stop doing it, although this season we have more turnovers than last season and in that aspect we need to improve.
Besides of the things we need to improve on, personally, in this last month I felt really good physically. Some people noticed because I dunked the ball a couple times in the last few games. With Boris Diaw and Matt Bonner we're the guys that dunk less, we have a competition going and I think I'm a bit ahead now. They have one each, and I must have five already. I'm pretty close to catching Blake Griffin! Aside from the joke, the dunking stuff is circumstantial. The important thing is that I feel good.
Lastly, I'd like to tell you I'm very happy to hear Fabri is playing again. It's great for the National League, but above all because he needed to close his career in a different way, on the court. He couldn't do it in the Olympic Games and I think that affected him a bit. I didn't think he would try to come back, but he found the courage and I'm happy. If he's coming back it's because he has thought about it for a while and he's sure of what he's doing. He feels it's going to be good for him. And if he's happy, then I'm happy for him.
http://canchallena.lanacion.com.ar/1544786-jugamos-cada-vez-mas-rapido