Spurs allowing a ridiculously low 89.8 ppg in millennial ball era

[UNT Eagles 2016]

Easily good for 1st in the NBA. Miami 2nd in the league at 92.5. Might see another Spurs/Miami 67-65 game this year, or something like that. Only, I doubt Timmy gets 17 & 25 rebounds this time :lol


Haven't seen those kind of numbers since Spurs/Pistons/Rockets in the early and mid 2000s tbh :toast

[BatManu20]

Our defense has been our having grace this season (small sample size and we've really only played 3 good teams, but still). It's been great. It's going to be what we hang our hats on all season. Hopefully our offense starts catching up as the season goes on.

[100%duncan]

The stat is good and all, but I hope we can carry it against good teams.

[TE]

I wonder what the advanced metrics say about which lineup is most stingy defensively.

[scanry]

88.8 tbh.

[ducks]

Even if you play bad teams some times u do not play d because your mind set is you can out score them

[spursistan]

88.8 tbh.

[TE]

Love that we are hanging our hat on defense. That is what will translate mostly to the road, and into the playoffs. Having long active and athletic wings in addition to bigs who can defend every area near the basket well will bother the fuck out of teams.

[Kawhitstorm]

The Heat having given up 100+ pts to a couple of teams including two this past week.

[TE]

When D West is in the game, he's making use of his body when rebounding. He was never an athlete and for some stupid reason would foul a lot more before coming here. We saw some of that earlier in the season, he's been coached up not to do that. Now that he's learning that the team would rather not foul, he's doing a better job of being in position to play defensive position basketball.

[Kawhitstorm]

When D West is in the game, he's making use of his body when rebounding. He was never an athlete and for some stupid reason would foul a lot more before coming here. We saw some of that earlier in the season, he's been coached up not to do that. Now that he's learning that the team would rather not foul, he's doing a better job of being in position to play defensive position basketball.

He has long ass arms & likes to strip people but he gets caught w/ his hand in the cookie jar too often.

[YGWHI]

The stat is good and all, but I hope we can carry it against good teams.

Until the 2014 rodeo trip, the Spurs couldn't beat good teams, they lost against Blazers, Thunder, Rockets, Pacers, Clippers, Bulls...But we all know how ended that season for the Spurs.

[steeledl]

Until the 2014 rodeo trip, the Spurs couldn't beat good teams, they lost against Blazers, Thunder, Rockets, Pacers, Clippers, Bulls...But we all know how ended that season for the Spurs.


I remember this shit. Thought we were fools gold.

[Keepin' it real]

B-b-b-but the Spurs aren't making enough 3 pointers...
B-b-b-but the Spurs can't win close games...
B-b-b-but INSERT EXAGGERATED SPURSTALK CONCERN HERE...

[ElNono]

It's not a given it will last, but it's been really phenomenal. And I know Ettore Messina gets talked down a lot here, but he's been the architect of that during the summer.

[100%duncan]

Until the 2014 rodeo trip, the Spurs couldn't beat good teams, they lost against Blazers, Thunder, Rockets, Pacers, Clippers, Bulls...But we all know how ended that season for the Spurs.

Yah but that was because of injuries

[Dex]

Spurs Defense is back in full effect, my friends.

Milwaukee had 59 points late in the fourth before they put a small spurt on our third string. That's just unfathomable in this day and age of the NBA.

[spurtech09]

The good old days when spurs relied on there defense....Spurs have been playing some pretty good D this yr.....Reminds me of the Spurs of old....

[nowitzkikopf]

Easily good for 1st in the NBA. Miami 2nd in the league at 92.5. Might see another Spurs/Miami 67-65 game this year, or something like that. Only, I doubt Timmy gets 17 & 25 rebounds this time :lol


Haven't seen those kind of numbers since Spurs/Pistons/Rockets in the early and mid 2000s tbh :toast

i think i read something the other day saying that the last team this good defensively were...the spurs in 2005

[SAGirl]

It's not a given it will last, but it's been really phenomenal. And I know Ettore Messina gets talked down a lot here, but he's been the architect of that during the summer.
:tu:worthy::worthy:
All hail Ettore.
I have never busted his chops.
I actually shared an interview he gave talking about the team.
I had forgotten about him actually, but yea, he's known as supremely defensive minded.
If he had a part on Anderson's improvement on D, I have to admire the man, because he came in as a rookie labeled as a defensive sieve, yet he could shoot. Right now he's not shooting (I credit Chip reworking his shot, and him needing confidence on it to shoot, never was a shooter as a young guy so to develop that uncouncious shooter mentality, he might never, he could be like Diaw, ever the reluctant shooter, but I digress), defensively he's night and day from where he was.

I actually think us not having Belinelli and those minutes going to Kyle and now Simmons, and then Danny or Kawhi (who both have taken minutes with the bench as a 3, has had a gigantic impact). Also, Lamarcus is much better defensively than he was in Portland, and he's healthy, blocking shots and playing more minutes than Tiago.

Overall we have better defensive personnel... but I have to give props to Messina too. You are absolutely right.

[313]

Note; playing at a bottom five pace

[Uriel]

The defense has been terrific, but the notion that it is historically great is absurd. Our competition has consisted almost entirely of bottom of the barrell offensive teams. Let's see if we can still keep our opponents under 90 PPG once we've had all 4 games against the Warriors under our schedule.

[Raven]

i predicted that the D would be historically great this year, so I'm not surprised with the early results.

[ceperez]

Until the 2014 rodeo trip, the Spurs couldn't beat good teams, they lost against Blazers, Thunder, Rockets, Pacers, Clippers, Bulls...But we all know how ended that season for the Spurs.

Spurs know that they need to start peaking going into the playoffs.

[Spurtacular]

Hardly seems ridiculous if Miami isn't all that far behind.

[BG_Spurs_Fan]

Hardly seems ridiculous if Miami isn't all that far behind.

How much farther behind should the 2nd team be? If Miami continue maintaining their defensive level the Spurs would have to allow 100 points for the next 10 games in order to fall behind them ( on a per game basis ). That's pretty good - more than half the season's worth of games played.

[Spurtacular]

How much farther behind should the 2nd team be? If Miami continue maintaining their defensive level the Spurs would have to allow 100 points for the next 10 games in order to fall behind them ( on a per game basis ). That's pretty good - more than half the season's worth of games played.

Not saying it's not good or impressive. I was just minimizing the framing of their prowess. It's nowhere near the record.

[Raven]

Hardly seems ridiculous if Miami isn't all that far behind.
they are 3points behind in defensive rating. So it's pretty ridiculous.

[Raven]

i've checked the stats until 1996 and the current spurs defensive rating would top any record. Only close are two other spurs seasons. So... yeah.

[Spurtacular]

they are 3points behind in defensive rating. So it's pretty ridiculous.

Mmm....I'd have to study the team defense rating to make an educated rebuttal.

[ceperez]

Note; playing at a bottom five pace

Pace stats here is deceptive. Spurs aren't slowing the game down, they are actually passing a lot more. What this does is make the defense work a lot more.

I haven't look at the stats, but I think the Spurs are also crashing the offensive board more.

The team is slowly being morphed into one that can take on GS.

Ideal situation is to shut down GS late in the season, pop their invincibility bubble and hope they lose confidence.

[bdictjames]

B-b-b-but INSERT EXAGGERATED SPURSTALK CONCERN HERE...
I swear, Spurs fan anxiety is a real thing. Lol.

[Raven]

Mmm....I'd have to study the team defense rating to make an educated rebuttal.
there's not much to study, it's simply the points allowed per 100 possessions.

[exstatic]

there's not much to study, it's simply the points allowed per 100 possessions.

It's also pace neutral, and better for comparing one team's defense to another's.

[Brazil]

Well Spurs are relying on Defense while offense is still a work in progress... I prefer this to the opposite...

[Cowboys_Wear_Spurs]

Laugh All you want, but the Spurs defense is this good because of LMA. His offense has suffered b/c Pop always wants defense to become first. LMA is expending so much effort on the defensive you can tell at times he doesn't even care to touch the ball on the offensive end. He had 5 blocks last night. With two 6'11 guys guarding the rim, and Green and Kawhi hounding wing players on the perimeter, teams are finding easy shots hard to come by against the Spurs. Giannis was scoring like 20 ppg and Kawhi held him to 7 last night.

People keep on bitching about LMA not scoring like he did in Portland but what they fail to realize is how much he has improved on the defense end this year. He is the reason the Spurs are the best defensive team in the league. Combo on Duncan, LMA, Green, Kawhi and now even Parker picking up his defense of late, that is the best starting defensive 5 in the league.

[TheGreatYacht]

"Splitter was the key" ... They said

[Raven]

Laugh All you want, but the Spurs defense is this good because of LMA. His offense has suffered b/c Pop always wants defense to become first. LMA is expending so much effort on the defensive you can tell at times he doesn't even care to touch the ball on the offensive end. He had 5 blocks last night. With two 6'11 guys guarding the rim, and Green and Kawhi hounding wing players on the perimeter, teams are finding easy shots hard to come by against the Spurs. Giannis was scoring like 20 ppg and Kawhi held him to 7 last night.

People keep on bitching about LMA not scoring like he did in Portland but what they fail to realize is how much he has improved on the defense end this year. He is the reason the Spurs are the best defensive team in the league. Combo on Duncan, LMA, Green, Kawhi and now even Parker picking up his defense of late, that is the best starting defensive 5 in the league.

while you make a good point, I still think that the reason our D is so great this year, is because we don't have Cancernelli anymore.

[Cowboys_Wear_Spurs]

"Splitter was the key" ... They said

Yes was. But LMA has been better this year to be quite honest. LMA is becoming an Elite defender and that is due to Pop for sure. LMA seems to want to win a championship and is doing everything Pop is telling him to do to achieve that. That's a good sign for the Spurs.

LMA become a much better defender. Parker FINALLY transitioning his game so he can continue to be successful. KA and Simmons continuing to improve since the Preseason. Butler being a solid bench contributor from day 1.

The Spurs could have asked for a better first month this season considering all the new guys stepping in.

[Cowboys_Wear_Spurs]

while you make a good point, I still think that the reason our D is so great this year, is because we don't have Cancernelli anymore.

That's somewhat true. But Beli wasn't that bad. It's just LMA has been playing the best D I have ever seen him play. But Butler for Beli has definitely is an improvement in D as well.

[will_spurs]

For single seasons, from 1946-47 to 2015-16, played in the NBA/BAA, playing for the San Antonios Spurs (Tex/Dal), requiring Opp PTS<= 90, sorted by descending Wins.





Opponent Per Game


Rk
Season
Tm
Lg
G
W
L
W/L%
FG
FGA
2P
2PA
3P
3PA
FT
FTA
ORB
DRB
TRB
AST
STL
BLK
TOV
PF
PTS


1
2005-06
SAS (http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/SAS/2006.html)*
NBA (http://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2006.html)
82
63
19
.768
33.9
78.3
30.3
67.5
3.7
10.8
17.2
23.3
10.8
29.5
40.3
16.3
7.3
4.2
13.9
20.8
88.8


2
2004-05
SAS (http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/SAS/2005.html)*
NBA (http://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2005.html)
82
59
23
.720
33.1
77.5
29.1
66.8
3.9
10.7
18.3
23.8
10.9
29.3
40.2
16.9
7.2
5.1
15.1
23.1
88.4


3
2000-01
SAS (http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/SAS/2001.html)*
NBA (http://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2001.html)
82
58
24
.707
34.6
82.6
30.4
69.8
4.2
12.7
15.0
20.3
11.8
29.7
41.5
19.7
7.3
5.2
13.5
23.7
88.4


4
2003-04
SAS (http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/SAS/2004.html)*
NBA (http://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2004.html)
82
57
25
.695
31.9
77.9
28.1
66.3
3.8
11.6
16.7
22.5
11.1
30.0
41.1
17.3
7.7
4.6
15.3
22.4
84.3


5
1997-98
SAS (http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/SAS/1998.html)*
NBA (http://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1998.html)
82
56
26
.683
33.4
81.2
29.3
68.6
4.1
12.5
17.7
23.9
12.4
27.3
39.7
19.0
8.9
4.6
12.7
22.5
88.5


6
1998-99
SAS (http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/SAS/1999.html)*
NBA (http://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1999.html)
50
37
13
.740
32.6
81.2
29.2
70.0
3.4
11.2
16.1
23.0
13.9
28.1
42.1
18.8
8.7
4.9
14.6
23.0
84.7


7
2015-16
SAS (http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/SAS/2016.html)
NBA (http://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2016.html)
19
15
4
.789
34.8
83.3
28.7
64.2
6.1
19.1
13.0
16.9
9.2
32.5
41.6
21.1
7.7
3.6
14.6
18.6
88.8

[Chinook]

It's also pace neutral, and better for comparing one team's defense to another's.

This isn't like football where the offense decides how quickly to snap the ball. Controlling the pace is part of defense in basketball. Efficient offenses want to move quickly (SSOL being the obvious example, but the Spurs also believe in a two-second rule or whatever; then you have a bunch of people wanting to get out and run all the time). If you discourage quick shots and force the other team to hold the ball, you start to drop their efficiency.

If the Spurs play Golden State, you hope the Spurs' defense can slow down the Warriors' offense (literally) and hope the Spurs' offense can methodically score on the Warriors' D. You don't just throw up your hands and concede that they are going to run all over the Spurs on that end.

[SAGirl]

And we have to take into account how disruptive we have been on the perimeter. Kawhi and Danny of course, but Kyle is immensely better on that end than Marco. Literally, no comparison. Also, the switches, Kyle has switched on anyone, fearlessly. Yea someone will get the better of him occasionally , but he's also gotten the better of most, and discouraged a lot of shots. Even as a small ball stretch 4, he was scary. Rasual has been hustling and blocking shots left and right, still has spring on those legs. Of all our wings Manu is the one who has been poor with too many defensive gambles, and slow getting back in transition and stuff. When the team depends too much on him offensively, he sometimes just doesn't have it for D like he used to.

Simmons is a late addition and his defensive fundamentals have been lacking, but he's probably getting chewed up by Pop and will be motivated to get better in order to play. He's already better than Marco even as he is, defensively.

[Phenomanul]

For single seasons, from 1946-47 to 2015-16, played in the NBA/BAA, playing for the San Antonios Spurs (Tex/Dal), requiring Opp PTS<= 90, sorted by descending Wins.





Opponent Per Game


Rk
Season
Tm
Lg
G
W
L
W/L%
FG
FGA
2P
2PA
3P
3PA
FT
FTA
ORB
DRB
TRB
AST
STL
BLK
TOV
PF
PTS


1
2005-06
SAS (http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/SAS/2006.html)*
NBA (http://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2006.html)
82
63
19
.768
33.9
78.3
30.3
67.5
3.7
10.8
17.2
23.3
10.8
29.5
40.3
16.3
7.3
4.2
13.9
20.8
88.8


2
2004-05
SAS (http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/SAS/2005.html)*
NBA (http://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2005.html)
82
59
23
.720
33.1
77.5
29.1
66.8
3.9
10.7
18.3
23.8
10.9
29.3
40.2
16.9
7.2
5.1
15.1
23.1
88.4


3
2000-01
SAS (http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/SAS/2001.html)*
NBA (http://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2001.html)
82
58
24
.707
34.6
82.6
30.4
69.8
4.2
12.7
15.0
20.3
11.8
29.7
41.5
19.7
7.3
5.2
13.5
23.7
88.4


4
2003-04
SAS (http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/SAS/2004.html)*
NBA (http://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2004.html)
82
57
25
.695
31.9
77.9
28.1
66.3
3.8
11.6
16.7
22.5
11.1
30.0
41.1
17.3
7.7
4.6
15.3
22.4
84.3


5
1997-98
SAS (http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/SAS/1998.html)*
NBA (http://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1998.html)
82
56
26
.683
33.4
81.2
29.3
68.6
4.1
12.5
17.7
23.9
12.4
27.3
39.7
19.0
8.9
4.6
12.7
22.5
88.5


6
1998-99
SAS (http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/SAS/1999.html)*
NBA (http://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1999.html)
50
37
13
.740
32.6
81.2
29.2
70.0
3.4
11.2
16.1
23.0
13.9
28.1
42.1
18.8
8.7
4.9
14.6
23.0
84.7


7
2015-16
SAS (http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/SAS/2016.html)
NBA (http://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2016.html)
19
15
4
.789
34.8
83.3
28.7
64.2
6.1
19.1
13.0
16.9
9.2
32.5
41.6
21.1
7.7
3.6
14.6
18.6
88.8



Seems like our free throw defense improved. Even though that may sound odd, Spurs are fouling at a much lower rate than other years.

Superficially it would also seem like we're not doing as good of guarding the 3pt line since we are giving up almost 2 threes more per game... until one notices that the opposition is taking over 7 more 3 point attempts per game to get there (the state of today's NBA).

The opposition seems to be moving the ball more on the Spurs (taking a page out of our own book) given that their assists per game totals against the Spurs is one of the higher averages conceded in the Duncan era.

[Seventyniner]

they are 3points behind in defensive rating. So it's pretty ridiculous.

For some context, 3 points in DRtg is about 0.79 standard deviations (1 is 3.78). Right now the Spurs are 3.6 ahead of Indiana. 1 SD at the top is a huge gap.

Even more ridiculous is Golden State's lead in offense. They're +12.1 over the league average in ORtg (over 3 SD) and 5.9 ahead of 2nd place. Insanity.

[will_spurs]

Seems like our free throw defense improved. Even though that may sound odd, Spurs are fouling at a much lower rate than other years.

Superficially it would also seem like we're not doing as good of guarding the 3pt line since we are giving up almost 2 threes more per game... until one notices that the opposition is taking over 7 more 3 point attempts per game to get there (the state of today's NBA).

The opposition seems to be moving the ball more on the Spurs (taking a page out of our own book) given that their assists per game totals against the Spurs is one of the higher averages conceded in the Duncan era.

You have to remember the table shows only the seasons when the Spurs were reasonably (and successfully) focusing on D.

What's interesting is that the last time the Spurs held their opponents to 90 points or less was 2005-2006... ten years ago! There's clearly a shift in focus going on, after a few years of run & gun.

[Drom John]

I wonder what the advanced metrics say about which lineup is most stingy defensively.

NBA.COM League Lineup Stats (http://stats.nba.com/league/lineups/#!/advanced/?sort=DEF_RATING&dir=-1)

Sample size issues. Seems that they have an 18 minute cutoff, 18-368 minutes range.

League best
50.3 Isaiah Canaan, Robert Covington, Jahil Okafor, JaKarr Sampson, Hollis Thompson

Best Spurs:
79.1 LaMarcus Aldridge, Kyle Anderson, Tim Duncan, Danny Green, Tony Parker

League worst:
146.1 Jamal Crawford, Blake Griffin, DeAndre Jordan, Chris Paul, Paul Pierce

Spurs worst:
124.6 Kyle Anderson, Boris Diaw, Manu Ginobili, Patty Mills, David West

[Drom John]

Spurs lineups

79.1 (18 min) Aldridge, Anderson, Duncan, Green, Parker
79.7 (20 min) Butler, Diaw, Ginobili, Mills, West
82.0 (36 min) Aldridge, Diaw, Ginobili, Leonard, Mills
94.1 (36 min) Aldridge, Duncan, Ginobili, Leonard, Parker
94.9 (238 min) Aldridge, Duncan, Green, Leonard, Parker
100.0 (52 min) Duncan, Green, Leonard, Parker, West
104.8 (18 min) Diaw, Ginobili, Green, Mills, West
124.6 (21 min) Anderson, Diaw, Ginobili, Mills, West

[Cowboys_Wear_Spurs]

Spurs lineups

79.1 (18 min) Aldridge, Anderson, Duncan, Green, Parker
79.7 (20 min) Butler, Diaw, Ginobili, Mills, West
82.0 (36 min) Aldridge, Diaw, Ginobili, Leonard, Mills
94.1 (36 min) Aldridge, Duncan, Ginobili, Leonard, Parker
94.9 (238 min) Aldridge, Duncan, Green, Leonard, Parker
100.0 (52 min) Duncan, Green, Leonard, Parker, West
104.8 (18 min) Diaw, Ginobili, Green, Mills, West
124.6 (21 min) Anderson, Diaw, Ginobili, Mills, West

LMA spearheading the D. No surprise the metrics back it up, as my eye test sees the very same thing.

[UNT Eagles 2016]

Not saying it's not good or impressive. I was just minimizing the framing of their prowess. It's nowhere near the record.
Nowhere near the record in terms of oppPPG of course, because we're in millennial ball era now... probably is the record for the millennial ball era though. Of course, there were teams with lower oppPPGs in the 90s when isoball reigned supreme, and in the early and mid 2000s when close to half the league still played at a slow tempo (and the Suns' fast style was largely frowned upon).

[UNT Eagles 2016]

Yes was. But LMA has been better this year to be quite honest. LMA is becoming an Elite defender and that is due to Pop for sure. LMA seems to want to win a championship and is doing everything Pop is telling him to do to achieve that. That's a good sign for the Spurs.

LMA become a much better defender. Parker FINALLY transitioning his game so he can continue to be successful. KA and Simmons continuing to improve since the Preseason. Butler being a solid bench contributor from day 1.

The Spurs could have asked for a better first month this season considering all the new guys stepping in.
Parker still gambles WAY too damn much... cost us at least 3 buckets against the Bulls which might have been the difference... Parker gambling means the big guy has to rotate to the enemy perimeter driver's shot which leaves the offensive glass wide open.

[midnightpulp]

Can't jump to too many conclusions obviously since the season is young and the schedule hasn't been too demanding, but this could be a historically great team. All the issues they have offensively (which will smooth out) are more than offset by their defense. Kawhi and Danny (who is shit right now offensively) cause terror for opposing perimeter players. Parker looks more comfortable than ever. Duncan steady as always. And LMA turned into an unexpected great defender. Shut down Greek Freak last night. And if Simmons comes along, the bench will be deadlier (they really need that extra athlete).

Problem is Golden State might be the greatest team of all-time :cry

[Cowboys_Wear_Spurs]

Can't jump to too many conclusions obviously since the season is young and the schedule hasn't been too demanding, but this could be a historically great team. All the issues they have offensively (which will smooth out) are more than offset by their defense. Kawhi and Danny (who is shit right now offensively) cause terror for opposing perimeter players. Parker looks more comfortable than ever. Duncan steady as always. And LMA turned into an unexpected great defender. Shut down Greek Freak last night. And if Simmons comes along, the bench will be deadlier (they really need that extra athlete).

Problem is Golden State might be the greatest team of all-time :cry

No that would be the Celtics of the 60's. Halivcek, Cousy, Russell, and Jones starting on their team. 4 HOF that would have been great in even today's NBA. Even the 80's Lakers and Celtics were better. 90's bulls with Kukoc, Jordan, Pippen, Kerr, Rodman, Harper, etc were better.

Spurs are GS kryptonite. They match up with them perfectly. I can honestly I am not worried about the Spurs playing GS in the playoff. If the Spurs are fully healthy, they will win that series.

[Dex]

In 20 games, the Spurs have held their opponent under 85 points 10 times this season.

They only were able to do this 6 times total last season.

[Blake]

Love that we are hanging our hat on defense.

Completely concur. I'm ecstaticly surprised at LMA's defense.

[boutons_deux]

Completely concur. I'm ecstaticly surprised at LMA's defense.

yep, great seeing him push hard against Randolph's backing down.

[spursistan]

In 20 games, the Spurs have held their opponent under 85 points 10 times this season.

They only were able to do this 6 times total last season.
:wow

Easy schedule or not, all metrics point to Spurs D being historically good thus far that any drop-off won't be change much of this..Barring an injury to key guy, i don't see it any worse Top 3 in DEF rating even if the offense picks up more of our focus later on..

[UNT Eagles 2016]

[/B]
No that would be the Celtics of the 60's. Halivcek, Cousy, Russell, and Jones starting on their team. 4 HOF that would have been great in even today's NBA. Even the 80's Lakers and Celtics were better. 90's bulls with Kukoc, Jordan, Pippen, Kerr, Rodman, Harper, etc were better.

Spurs are GS kryptonite. They match up with them perfectly. I can honestly I am not worried about the Spurs playing GS in the playoff. If the Spurs are fully healthy, they will win that series.
I'm more worried about OKC getting the #3 seed and us being on a death collision course with them for the 2nd round. If we have to play them we lose because refs

[spursistan]

I'm more worried about OKC getting the #3 seed and us being on a death collision course with them for the 2nd round. If we have to play them we lose because refs
Yeah, unfortunately Rockets collapse will ensure that pairing happen..They are overrated but are still a pain in the ass as KD/Westbrook are capable of dropping a double 30 point game on any given night to get the W..1) Warriors 2/Spurs 3) OKC 4) Clippers is the likely Top 4 seed..and knowing the Warriors luck they will get Houston as 4th seed and and Clippers 6th seed in our bracket :lol..

[UNT Eagles 2016]

Yeah, unfortunately Rockets collapse will ensure that pairing happen..They are overrated but are still a pain in the ass as KD/Westbrook are capable of dropping a double 30 point game on any given night to get the W..1) Warriors 2/Spurs 3) OKC 4) Clippers is the likely Top 4 seed..and knowing the Warriors luck they will get Houston as 4th seed and and Clippers 6th seed in our bracket :lol..
I could see Clippers beating OKC even without HCA if they get hot late? That too much to hope for? NBA/ESPN really wants GSW/LAC in the playoffs to happen though so we'll see.

[Brian Windhorst]

http://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/tsl_finder.cgi?request=1&match=single&type=team_totals&lg_id=NBA&year_min=&year_max=&franch_id=&c1stat=def_rtg&c1comp=lt&c1val=95&c2stat=&c2comp=gt&c2val=&c3stat=&c3comp=gt&c3val=&c4stat=&c4comp=gt&c4val=&order_by=wins

[Mel_13]

http://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/tsl_finder.cgi?request=1&match=single&type=team_totals&lg_id=NBA&year_min=&year_max=&franch_id=&c1stat=def_rtg&c1comp=lt&c1val=95&c2stat=&c2comp=gt&c2val=&c3stat=&c3comp=gt&c3val=&c4stat=&c4comp=gt&c4val=&order_by=wins

http://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/tsl_finder.cgi?request=1&match=single&type=team_totals&lg_id=NBA&year_min=1977&year_max=&franch_id=&c1stat=def_rtg&c1comp=lt&c1val=95&c2stat=&c2comp=gt&c2val=&c3stat=&c3comp=gt&c3val=&c4stat=&c4comp=gt&c4val=&order_by=wins

[SAGirl]

In 20 games, the Spurs have held their opponent under 85 points 10 times this season.

They only were able to do this 6 times total last season.

W-O-W!!!
That is an eye opener stat.
:wow

[Kawhitstorm]

W-O-W!!!
That is an eye opener stat.
:wow

I'm actually a grower so the stat is for flaccid :hat

[SpursFan86]

Rather than look at raw DRTG, it's better to look at the defense compared to the league average defense. Things change throughout different eras, and a 94 DRTG in one era isn't the same as a 94 DRTG in another era.

Spurs are currently 1st with a DRTG of 93.9. The Celtics are 2nd, with a DRTG of 98.9. So the Spurs have been 5 points per 100 possessions better than even the 2nd best defense in the league. The league average DRTG this year is 103.8...the Spurs are 9.9 points better than the league average defense. That's absolutely insane. Comparing them against some of the defenses you commonly hear as all-time great:

'04 Spurs were 8.8 points better than the league average
'08 Celtics were 8.6 points better than the league average
'93 Knicks were 8.3 points better than the league average
'64 Celtics were 10.8 points better than the league average

I don't expect them to keep this up, but if they do, it'll without a doubt be one of the best defensive seasons in NBA history.