Kori Ellis
09-02-2005, 12:17 AM
Mike and Nick: Road Warriors
LAST UPDATE: 9/2/2005 12:09:08 AM
http://www.woai.com/spurs/story.aspx?content_id=46BA964F-CC5F-4CB4-A8CA-38305C1219D7
By LJ Ellis
SpursZONE.com
Despite 59 victories and a third NBA championship in seven seasons, the San Antonio Spurs have completely rebuilt their bench within the last few days. Adding Michael Finley and Nick Van Exel not only adds firepower to the reserves, it also addresses a glaring need heading into next season.
As good as the Spurs were last year on the way to the NBA title, the team wasn’t without noticeable flaws. An overlooked yet vital fault was the team’s struggles to win on the road. Not only was their road record of 21-20 the worst mark in the Tim Duncan era, it was the worst road record by an eventual champion since the 1978-79 Seattle Supersonics.
Comparing how the Spurs played on the road to how they played at home, where San Antonio finished with a franchise best 38-3 record, the statistic that stands out the most is three-point shooting.
At home, the Spurs shot 39.4% from beyond the arc. On the road, that percentage dipped to 33.3%.
Of the five Spurs players who made at least 50 three-pointers for the season, only one of them shot noticeably better on the road than at home. Not surprisingly, that player was playoff hero Robert Horry.
PLAYER H% R% Difference
Horry 36.6 37.3 +.7%
Bowen 40.3 40.4 +.1%
Ginobili 39.2 36.1 -3.1%
Barry 42.4 29.7 -12.7%
Udrih 48.5 33.8 -14.7%
This is where Finley and Van Exel come in. Both players have a history of shooting well on the road. Last season was no different.
PLAYER H% R% Difference
Finley 39.0 42.7 +3.7%
Van Exel 37.3 40.0 +2.7%
It was Finley’s second consecutive season making at least 40% of his three-point attempts on the road. As for Van Exel, it was his fifth consecutive season shooting a better percentage on the road than at home from beyond the arc.
As good as the Spurs were last season, expect Finley and Van Exel to make this team even better by adding some deadeye shooting beyond the friendly confines of the SBC Center.
LAST UPDATE: 9/2/2005 12:09:08 AM
http://www.woai.com/spurs/story.aspx?content_id=46BA964F-CC5F-4CB4-A8CA-38305C1219D7
By LJ Ellis
SpursZONE.com
Despite 59 victories and a third NBA championship in seven seasons, the San Antonio Spurs have completely rebuilt their bench within the last few days. Adding Michael Finley and Nick Van Exel not only adds firepower to the reserves, it also addresses a glaring need heading into next season.
As good as the Spurs were last year on the way to the NBA title, the team wasn’t without noticeable flaws. An overlooked yet vital fault was the team’s struggles to win on the road. Not only was their road record of 21-20 the worst mark in the Tim Duncan era, it was the worst road record by an eventual champion since the 1978-79 Seattle Supersonics.
Comparing how the Spurs played on the road to how they played at home, where San Antonio finished with a franchise best 38-3 record, the statistic that stands out the most is three-point shooting.
At home, the Spurs shot 39.4% from beyond the arc. On the road, that percentage dipped to 33.3%.
Of the five Spurs players who made at least 50 three-pointers for the season, only one of them shot noticeably better on the road than at home. Not surprisingly, that player was playoff hero Robert Horry.
PLAYER H% R% Difference
Horry 36.6 37.3 +.7%
Bowen 40.3 40.4 +.1%
Ginobili 39.2 36.1 -3.1%
Barry 42.4 29.7 -12.7%
Udrih 48.5 33.8 -14.7%
This is where Finley and Van Exel come in. Both players have a history of shooting well on the road. Last season was no different.
PLAYER H% R% Difference
Finley 39.0 42.7 +3.7%
Van Exel 37.3 40.0 +2.7%
It was Finley’s second consecutive season making at least 40% of his three-point attempts on the road. As for Van Exel, it was his fifth consecutive season shooting a better percentage on the road than at home from beyond the arc.
As good as the Spurs were last season, expect Finley and Van Exel to make this team even better by adding some deadeye shooting beyond the friendly confines of the SBC Center.