Spurs Sets for Lamarcus Aldridge Video

[SAGirl]

A coach took the time to put this together. Thought I'd share:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkFxm0byQT4

[spurs10]

Good stuff, thanks!:flag:

[SAGirl]

Good stuff, thanks!:flag:
No problem. It was a nice summary of basic Lamarcus' sets.
I am sure we have been scouted out. The lob passes are not always there, and once guys get doubled, secondary actions get triggered that have ended in some mishaps.

[KenziE]

TD is such a badass passer

[TheGreatYacht]

Best player on the team :tu

[bic50]

Td is such an underrated passer. Oh btw not funny and unoriginal. No brain fraud ^^^

[cutewizard]

LaMarcus shall lead us to the promised land.

You heard it from me first, hehe

[kaji157]

Tnx for posting, very interesting.

I think i prefer all those plays over a Kawhi post up.

Nothing against Kawhi, but his offense provokes nothing, the defense itself collapses on the paint making almost impossible for us to get an offensive rebound and the worst part is that our best defender is not there for the defensive transition.


I think you have to find ways to initiate the offense for Kawhi in other ways than the post up, you can get him off the curl, or teach him how to play the pick and roll. But the problem with the current use is that it has almost no spacing and he seems to take an awful lot of time doing his Kobe thing.

[Mr Bones]

Aldridge is getting acclimated-- the numbers are pretty clear on this:

In November, he shot 44.3% from the field for 15.9 ppg.
In December, he has shot 51.6% from the field for 16.2 ppg. His December numbers would probably be even better were it not for a large number of blow out wins where he played limited minutes. He has played fewer mpg and had fewer FGA per game in December, but stilled slightly raised his ppg number.

http://espn.go.com/nba/player/gamelog/_/id/2983/lamarcus-aldridge

[Mel_13]

A coach took the time to put this together. Thought I'd share:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkFxm0byQT4

Good stuff. Thanks.


Aldridge is getting acclimated-- the numbers are pretty clear on this:

In November, he shot 44.3% from the field for 15.9 ppg.
In December, he has shot 51.6% from the field for 16.2 ppg. His December numbers would probably be even better were it not for a large number of blow out wins where he played limited minutes. He has played fewer mpg and had fewer FGA per game in December, but stilled slightly raised his ppg number.

http://espn.go.com/nba/player/gamelog/_/id/2983/lamarcus-aldridge

Yep.

[Chinook]

Kawhi is unequivocally the best player on the team now, but LMA is still the guy you want to build the offense around. A wing in the post just doesn't do as much damage as a big does in the same position. And it's easier to get him open. Of course, if Leonard is going to keep being the best three-point shooter in the league, it may not matter how much LMA helps get other guys involved.

[jag]

Kawhi is unequivocally the best player on the team now, but LMA is still the guy you want to build the offense around. A wing in the post just doesn't do as much damage as a big does in the same position. And it's easier to get him open. Of course, if Leonard is going to keep being the best three-point shooter in the league, it may not matter how much LMA helps get other guys involved.

I agree to an extent, I just don't think the current roster needs to have the offense "built" around any single player.

[T_L_P]

Td is such an underrated passer. Oh btw not funny and unoriginal. No brain fraud ^^^

Nah, he's a 'bad passer'. KenziE told me.

[Chinook]

I agree to an extent, I just don't think the current roster needs to have the offense "built" around any single player.

If you mean that you don't think one player is going to get the majority of the touches, then I agree. But if you mean you don't think one player is going to one who is the first option on the majority of the plays, I disagree. As that video showed, the Spurs pretty much have LMA as the their top option every time down the floor. Teams having to guard against that helps the Spurs run their sets better. A Green-to-LMA entry pass is like Gravity City. Leonard and to a lesser extent Parker can get their points just by being great scorers. But the opponents are game-planning to stop Aldridge.

[ceperez]

If you mean that you don't think one player is going to get the majority of the touches, then I agree. But if you mean you don't think one player is going to one who is the first option on the majority of the plays, I disagree. As that video showed, the Spurs pretty much have LMA as the their top option every time down the floor. Teams having to guard against that helps the Spurs run their sets better. A Green-to-LMA entry pass is like Gravity City. Leonard and to a lesser extent Parker can get their points just by being great scorers. But the opponents are game-planning to stop Aldridge.

I guess the question really is whether the Spurs can get to a position to take a high efficiency shot even when teams game plan against them.

The offense needs to be dynamic enough that even if it is read correctly by the defender that the Spurs have an alternative option.

The high-low action is great because it is a high percentage shot. However, it is kind of like a football touch down play that requires a good pass, good timing and it not being intercepted.

The contested post shots are a low percentage shot. You can just look at LMA's numbers and honestly a defending team should give it to him everytime.

The open mid-range elbow is a decent as Tony Parker's mid-range elbow. I prefer however the open 3 point shot over the mid-range. The efficiency is better and the chances of a rebound are better if you are at the 3 point line. Even statistically, being able to retrieve a rebound from a 3 point shot is higher than that from a mid-range jumper. It is strange, but those are what the stats show.

[jag]

If you mean that you don't think one player is going to get the majority of the touches, then I agree. But if you mean you don't think one player is going to one who is the first option on the majority of the plays, I disagree.

I mean that I don't think the offense should function with any one player consistently being the focal point. There's enough chemistry (even with LMA on the floor) that they don't have to limit themselves in this way.

[ceperez]

I mean that I don't think the offense should function with any one player consistently being the focal point. There's enough chemistry (even with LMA on the floor) that they don't have to limit themselves in this way.

Well, that would make sense if the play is consistently a high percentage scoring. Unfortunately you just have to look at the numbers to see that LMA percentages aren't where it should be for a max player.

[Chinook]

I mean that I don't think the offense should function with any one player consistently being the focal point. There's enough chemistry (even with LMA on the floor) that they don't have to limit themselves in this way.

It's not about how the Spurs choose to score. It's about how the Spurs choose to make teams defend them. You want teams to have to put get a big down to check LMA every time down the court. You want to force teams to bring that second big over to help in the post. You want teams to leave the PnR ball-handler open because they can't rotate off LMA. These are things that Leonard and Parker simply can't do.

The Spurs aren't making LMA the first option because they want him to score all the time. They are doing so because that puts the most pressure on the other team -- especially in today's game where bigs aren't well trained in post defense. LMA has been the first option on offense all season, yet Parker and Leonard are having great years scoring. I think that shows why he's been such a solid foundation.

[cjw]

I guess the question really is whether the Spurs can get to a position to take a high efficiency shot even when teams game plan against them.

The offense needs to be dynamic enough that even if it is read correctly by the defender that the Spurs have an alternative option.

The high-low action is great because it is a high percentage shot. However, it is kind of like a football touch down play that requires a good pass, good timing and it not being intercepted.

The contested post shots are a low percentage shot. You can just look at LMA's numbers and honestly a defending team should give it to him everytime.

The open mid-range elbow is a decent as Tony Parker's mid-range elbow. I prefer however the open 3 point shot over the mid-range. The efficiency is better and the chances of a rebound are better if you are at the 3 point line. Even statistically, being able to retrieve a rebound from a 3 point shot is higher than that from a mid-range jumper. It is strange, but those are what the stats show.

Good points. Only difference between the high-low and a red zone play in football is even if you get picked off 1/3 of the time, it's still good for 1.3 PPP - in football, that would be atrocious. Even if he doesn't get a clean look off it, can run into other sets. One advantage Spurs have is they get up floor in 4 seconds and have plenty of shot clock to work with.

I for one thought Pop would look to get LMA more 3pt looks, but maybe it'll come as he continues to develop through the season. No reason to think he can't at least put up a 33-35% clip from there like he did last season, and this would involve cleaner looks. He, Parker and Leonard are three of the best midrange shooters in the league right now, though, so no reason to eliminate completely from your offense. We saw what happened to Houston - you have to run them off 3pt line and it turns their offense into disarray (they didn't shoot well even against Spurs despite the win).

Would love to see his or another guy's take on LMA being active on the offensive boards. Could be a function of the system that puts his man out of position on the glass. He's been tops in the league this year on putback PPP.

[Chinook]

I guess the question really is whether the Spurs can get to a position to take a high efficiency shot even when teams game plan against them.

The mantra for this season is "Efficiency is in the eye of the beholder." A LMA open two off an assist is a high-efficiency shot, as is pretty much anything Leonard does.


The offense needs to be dynamic enough that even if it is read correctly by the defender that the Spurs have an alternative option.

That's very obviously still the case.


The high-low action is great because it is a high percentage shot. However, it is kind of like a football touch down play that requires a good pass, good timing and it not being intercepted.

The high-low is great because it discourages teams from trying to front the post to make up for their lack of size. It's pretty much the play-action pass of post play. The most important thing to making it work is the reverse seal by the low man and the high man having a passing lane. It's probably less dependent on timing than, say, a PnR or PnP.


The contested post shots are a low percentage shot. You can just look at LMA's numbers and honestly a defending team should give it to him everytime.

That really depends on how you're defining "post shots". If you mean LMA taking a 20-foot fadeaway with a guy in his jersey, then obviously. If you mean an up-and-under layup through contact, then it's not obvious at all. LMA is still learning when to shoot and when to pass. Once he gets back into his Portland aggressive mindset when he has the ball, he'll be taking almost no contested jumpers.


I prefer however the open 3 point shot over the mid-range.

First response is to lol at your attempt to act like that statement isn't obvious to everyone. Second response is to say that it depends on who's shooting. A Kawhi midrange shot is more efficient than a Duncan three. As far as rebounding goes, you're correct that teams have a better chance at rebounding their own long misses. But they also have a better chance at giving up transition buckets. The Spurs value transition D over O-boards. I don't think it's a question on which length of rebounds they prefer.

[jag]

It's not about how the Spurs choose to score. It's about how the Spurs choose to make teams defend them. You want teams to have to put get a big down to check LMA every time down the court. You want to force teams to bring that second big over to help in the post. You want teams to leave the PnR ball-handler open because they can't rotate off LMA. These are things that Leonard and Parker simply can't do.

The Spurs aren't making LMA the first option because they want him to score all the time. They are doing so because that puts the most pressure on the other team -- especially in today's game where bigs aren't well trained in post defense. LMA has been the first option on offense all season, yet Parker and Leonard are having great years scoring. I think that shows why he's been such a solid foundation.

I agree that for those reasons LMA is a better option than Parker/Kawhi, I just think that relying on him in that way limits the offense. I know they can't go back to the offense of Finals 2014, but I think the offense, as it is currently constructed, has a much lower ceiling than we originally anticipated.

[ceperez]

That really depends on how you're defining "post shots". If you mean LMA taking a 20-foot fadeaway with a guy in his jersey, then obviously. If you mean an up-and-under layup through contact, then it's not obvious at all. LMA is still learning when to shoot and when to pass. Once he gets back into his Portland aggressive mindset when he has the ball, he'll be taking almost no contested jumpers.



First response is to lol at your attempt to act like that statement isn't obvious to everyone. Second response is to say that it depends on who's shooting. A Kawhi midrange shot is more efficient than a Duncan three. As far as rebounding goes, you're correct that teams have a better chance at rebounding their own long misses. But they also have a better chance at giving up transition buckets. The Spurs value transition D over O-boards. I don't think it's a question on which length of rebounds they prefer.

I meant to say mid-range contested jumpers.

I meant to hint that LMA taking the open 3 point shot vs taking an open 2 point shot. The other poster (cjw) picked up on my intention.

[Chinook]

I agree that for those reasons LMA is a better option than Parker/Kawhi, I just think that relying on him in that way limits the offense. I know they can't go back to the offense of Finals 2014, but I think the offense, as it is currently constructed, has a much lower ceiling than we originally anticipated.

Well, let's put it this way: If Green makes one more three per game (would still be below last season's average), the Spurs would go from 12th in PPG to 3rd. The team's not that far away from being an elite offense even with Danny struggling.

[ceperez]

I agree that for those reasons LMA is a better option than Parker/Kawhi, I just think that relying on him in that way limits the offense. I know they can't go back to the offense of Finals 2014, but I think the offense, as it is currently constructed, has a much lower ceiling than we originally anticipated.

I will agree that the current offense by the starting lineup is performing below expectations.

The 2nd team is doing very well despite losing Belinelli and Baynes.

[dabom]

Many teams have won with a wing player as their best player. Kawhi is our best bet. Haven't had a top 2 player in the league since prime Duncan.

Kawhi isn't even in his prime yet. Like not even close. We got 8 years of prime Kawhi in the next couple of years. Lets make the best system early. Dumb to make one around LMA and then change it later when he gets old. :frying:

[ceperez]

Many teams have won with a wing player as their best player. Kawhi is our best bet. Haven't had a top 2 player in the league since prime Duncan.

Kawhi isn't even in his prime yet. Like not even close. We got 8 years of prime Kawhi in the next couple of years. Lets make the best system early. Dumb to make one around LMA and then change it later when he gets old. :frying:

Here's the problem, Spurs only have one top player. Everyone else looks pedestrian.

[Chinook]

Dumb to make one around LMA and then change it later when he gets old. :frying:

Why?

[dabom]

Why?


Many teams have won with a wing player as their best player. Kawhi is our best bet. Haven't had a top 2 player in the league since prime Duncan.

Kawhi isn't even in his prime yet. Like not even close. We got 8 years of prime Kawhi in the next couple of years. Lets make the best system early. Dumb to make one around LMA and then change it later when he gets old. :frying:

[Chinook]

I meant to say mid-range contested jumpers.

I meant to hint that LMA taking the open 3 point shot vs taking an open 2 point shot. The other poster (cjw) picked up on my intention.

ST decided to delete my response. But the gist was that LMA's jumpers are only contested because he hesitates and LMA shooting threes is bad for the offense (takes the primary option away from the basket and makes Tim play lower than he should) and for the defense (forces a guard below the FTLE, which damages transition). Occasional corner shots are one thing. Parking LMA at the wing in a PnP is another.

[Chinook]

That explains nothing. If LMA is a better guy to build an offense around now, you do it and figure out what to do when he gets old later. We're not talking about building around Tim, here. LMA should still be good by the time everyone's contracts are up.

And as far as teams winning with a wing as their best player, you have Jordan and then crickets. Bird MIGHT count, but that was an NBA where SFs were just shorter PFs and the three was considered a sissy shot.

[dabom]

That explains nothing. If LMA is a better guy to build an offense around now, you do it and figure out what to do when he gets old later. We're not talking about building around Tim, here. LMA should still be good by the time everyone's contracts are up.

And as far as teams winning with a wing as their best player, you have Jordan and then crickets. Bird MIGHT count, but that was an NBA where SFs were just shorter PFs and the three was considered a sissy shot.

But LMA is not better to build it around over Kawhi. :frying:

Kawhi is the 4th best ISO player in the game. I don't even know how force feeding LMA the ball helps this team right now.

[ceperez]

ST decided to delete my response. But the gist was that LMA's jumpers are only contested because he hesitates and LMA shooting threes is bad for the offense (takes the primary option away from the basket and makes Tim play lower than he should) and for the defense (forces a guard below the FTLE, which damages transition). Occasional corner shots are one thing. Parking LMA at the wing in a PnP is another.

I disagree. LMA choosing not to take the open 2 mid-range shot and dribbling to a posting up instead should never be an option.

[DMC]

Those plays are almost impossible to defend against because there are too many other options that are less desirable to the opponent than what they are giving up at that point. Aldridge is still being contested sometimes by two people he's just good enough often enough to make that shot. I'm sure they would not prefer Danny Green get a wide open 3 or that Kawhi Leonard get one from the other side.

[DMC]

But LMA is not better to build it around over Kawhi. :frying:

Kawhi is the 4th best ISO player in the game. I don't even know how force feeding LMA the ball helps this team right now.
You don't build your offense around Isolation play. At least good teams don't.

[dabom]

You don't build your offense around Isolation play. At least good teams don't.

That is still the first requirement. He doesn't even pass that. Why go any further?

[DMC]

Many teams have won with a wing player as their best player. Kawhi is our best bet. Haven't had a top 2 player in the league since prime Duncan.

Kawhi isn't even in his prime yet. Like not even close. We got 8 years of prime Kawhi in the next couple of years. Lets make the best system early. Dumb to make one around LMA and then change it later when he gets old. :frying:
You know absolutely nothing about basketball plus you're an obvious shitty troll. You and all your other accounts should shut the fuck up. It's like watching a a retarded child finger paint in his shit.

[ceperez]

Those plays are almost impossible to defend against because there are too many other options that are less desirable to the opponent than what they are giving up at that point. Aldridge is still being contested sometimes by two people he's just good enough often enough to make that shot. I'm sure they would not prefer Danny Green get a wide open 3 or that Kawhi Leonard get one from the other side.

Aldridge with a contested shot is the most desirable play for the defense. He's like 29% on pull-ups.

Matter of fact, any shot from Aldridge outside of the paint is desirable. When Aldridge has the ball, there aren't any secondary options because he can't pass. It is either he takes the shot or Spurs have to reset the offense.

One of the best defensive plays for the offense is to give Aldridge enough space to receive the ball, but enough space to slightly contest the shot. This results in a pump fake half the time and a 29% shooting percentage. Spurs fans have to realize that LMA is like a Enes Kanter player that we are paying 5 million more per season. Heck, Kanter is a more efficient player!

[dabom]

You know absolutely nothing about basketball plus you're an obvious shitty troll. You and all your other accounts should shut the fuck up. It's like watching a a retarded child finger paint in his shit.

Shut up faggot. Stay in cali puss. I obviously hit a cord with you faggot. Can't back it up I guess? :lmao

[apalisoc_9]

Defenses today are much more concenred defending the three pointers or the perimeter in general and this is specially true with defenses whose teams take a bunch of three pointers in the offense.

The issue is that LMA halfcourt offense has been horrendous to say this least, and the post ups in general have been so bad as pointed out by Harlem and Kawhistorm. Ive said the same thing a month ago.

Defenses are allowing the bigs to go one on one for the most part and even if they do score 48% two pointers is much preferable than 38% three pointers.

By using the bigs you force the defense to react. The problem right now, LMA is so poor at passing out that the SL isnt really getting any advantage of it and many times he doesnt have the option to pass out because the defenses dont react.

The spurs rely heavily on defenses reacting to their offense. They are Godlike in terms of taking advantage of that but its pretty evident when they dont react like in 4th quarter siuations the offense becomes hideous.

But by God if anyone has seens the results of LMA post ups and still want that to be the foundation pf the offense they probably must have sniffed coke of koo aid mans bzutthole tbh.

[dabom]

What is it with all this BOLD on BOLD white knighting? That's obviously what happened with DMC. :lmao

I'm sure Chinook can handle himself.

[dabom]

Defenses today are much more concenred defending the three pointers or the perimeter in general and this is specially true with defenses whose teams take a bunch of three pointers in the offense.

The issue is that LMA halfcourt offense has been horrendous to say this least, and the post ups in general have been so bad as pointed out by Harlem and Kawhistorm. Ive said the same thing a month ago.

Defenses are allowing the bigs to go one on one for the most part and even if they do score 48% two pointers is much preferable than 38% three pointers.

By using the bigs you force the defense to react. The problem right now, LMA is so poor at passing out that the SL isnt really getting any advantage of it and many times he doesnt have the option to pass out because the defenses dont react.

The spurs rely heavily on defenses reacting to their offense. They are Godlike in terms of taking advantage of that but its pretty evident when they dont react like in 4th quarter siuations the offense becomes hideous.

But by God if anyone has seens the results of LMA post ups and still want that to be the foundation pf the offense they probably must have sniffed coke of koo aid mans bzutthole tbh.

:lol

[Chinook]

But by God if anyone has seens the results of LMA post ups and still want that to be the foundation pf the offense they probably must have sniffed coke of koo aid mans bzutthole tbh.

I mean, there's a difference between just running a four-down and having LMA duck in for deep post position after a screen. The former is horrendous offense. The latter is pretty much an ideal first option.

[Chinook]

I disagree. LMA choosing not to take the open 2 mid-range shot and dribbling to a posting up instead should never be an option.

That's about him hesitating, not about where he is on the court. You think him turning down an open three to dribble into a post-up is better?

[Chinook]

Aldridge with a contested shot is the most desirable play for the defense. He's like 29% on pull-ups.

Matter of fact, any shot from Aldridge outside of the paint is desirable. When Aldridge has the ball, there aren't any secondary options because he can't pass. It is either he takes the shot or Spurs have to reset the offense.

One of the best defensive plays for the offense is to give Aldridge enough space to receive the ball, but enough space to slightly contest the shot. This results in a pump fake half the time and a 29% shooting percentage. Spurs fans have to realize that LMA is like a Enes Kanter player that we are paying 5 million more per season. Heck, Kanter is a more efficient player!

Getting into #ceperez territory. Not gonna lie.

[apalisoc_9]

I mean, there's a difference between just running a four-down and having LMA duck in for deep post position after a screen. The former is horrendous offense. The latter is pretty much an ideal first option.

Way to be predicatble.

Duck deep used consistently. You realize thats an easy offense to stop if defenses actually focus on stopping it.

The reason why thoses high lows are so efficient is because of Parker penetration and Leonard and Green gravity.

[Chinook]

Way to be predicatble.

Duck deep used consistently. You realize thats an easy offense to stop if defenses actually focus on stopping it.

The reason why thoses high lows are so efficient is because of Parker penetration and Leonard and Green gravity.

High-lows are effective because they almost completely take the defender out of the play. You end up with the big with no on between him and the basket. And because the other big is 20 feet from the basket, the only available help comes from smalls. There's no guarantee that the help guy can even stop a high-low alley-oop, which is something the Spurs run pretty often with Tim and LMA. You're right that teams don't want to leave Green or Leonard open by giving hard help, but it's obviously not that simple.

The way you defend the high-low is by face-guarding the high big or even better by not fronting the post. But then you run into the issues that causes -- especially for a player like Draymond who's historically struggled checking LMA one-on-one. So then you have to help traditionally, which leaves the entry-passer open or allows lanes for cut-ins and duck-ins.

I don't disagree that four-downing LMA or even letting him work a lot one-on-one is a bad idea. But his post-gravity is the straw that stirs the drink right now.

[apalisoc_9]

High-lows are effective because they almost completely take the defender out of the play. You end up with the big with no on between him and the basket. And because the other big is 20 feet from the basket, the only available help comes from smalls. There's no guarantee that the help guy can even stop a high-low alley-oop, which is something the Spurs run pretty often with Tim and LMA. You're right that teams don't want to leave Green or Leonard open by giving hard help, but it's obviously not that simple.

The way you defend the high-low is by face-guarding the high big or even better by not fronting the post. But then you run into the issues that causes -- especially for a player like Draymond who's historically struggled checking LMA one-on-one. So then you have to help traditionally, which leaves the entry-passer open or allows lanes for cut-ins and duck-ins.

I don't disagree that four-downing LMA or even letting him work a lot one-on-one is a bad idea. But his post-gravity is the straw that stirs the drink right now.

His post gravity? Are you serious?

He has zero gravity. Zero. The defenses since december have allowed him to do whatever. It might have been different at the start of the season but as the season progressed with Kawhi rise and Parker rejuvenated offense and respectable three the Gravity you speak off has been virtually zero. Thats exactly why you see him try getting foul calls on fakes because the defenders stay with their man and hes left to isolate which is a recipe for disaster.

The ONLY player that commands a double team nowadys is Leonard. If you even bothered watching the latest Denver Game kawhi posting up resulted in so many easy baskets.

The influences you think Aldridge still has on post over opponet perimeter defenders ONLY apply to Leonard now as teams are starting to realize his inefficient play.

If teams can relegate San Antonio to 40% ny forcing Aldridge to Iso and staying with their man, they would do it.

The deadliest the SL offense has looked is when Tony and Leonard are playing a two man game and its not even close.

[Chinook]

His post gravity? Are you serious?

He has zero gravity. Zero. The defenses since december have allowed him to do whatever. It might have been different at the start of the season but as the season progressed with Kawhi rise and Parker rejuvenated offense and respectable three the Gravity you speak off has been virtually zero. Thats exactly why you see him try getting foul calls on fakes because the defenders stay with their man and hes left to isolate which is a recipe for disaster.

The ONLY player that commands a double team nowadys is Leonard. If you even bothered watching the latest Denver Game kawhi posting up resulted in so many easy baskets.

The influences you think Aldridge still has on post over opponet perimeter defenders ONLY apply to Leonard now as teams are starting to realize his inefficient play.

If teams can relegate San Antonio to 40% ny forcing Aldridge to Iso and staying with their man, they would do it.

The deadliest the SL offense has looked is when Tony and Leonard are playing a two man game and its not even close.

If you're going to come here and say that Aldridge doesn't get doubled, I really don't know what to tell you. I do know that over the past few weeks, he's been eating players alive when he's gotten the ball in good position. And I can also tell you that Leonard is still being left open or guarded one-on-one quite a bit. That's an obvious mistake by teams, but it's one that keeps happening.

I just think it's absurd for you to assert that post gravity isn't a factor. It's ALWAYS a factor, even if you suck at the post. Teams will always rotate to protect the paint. It's just basketball. I don't disagree that teams aren't trying to force LMA to take bad contested shot. They want Leonard to do the same thing. But I'm pretty certain that they aren't saying, "If Aldridge gets the ball, just let him get his fill."

And again, despite the fact that Aldridge is clearly getting first-option plays called for him, and despite your observation that teams are letting LMA take as many bad shots as he wants, Kawhi and Parker are having either career or unexpectedly good years. So it seems clear that Leonard plays very well when the team focuses on feeding LaMarcus first.

[dabom]

If you're going to come here and say that Aldridge doesn't get doubled, I really don't know what to tell you. I do know that over the past few weeks, he's been eating players alive when he's gotten the ball in good position. And I can also tell you that Leonard is still being left open or guarded one-on-one quite a bit. That's an obvious mistake by teams, but it's one that keeps happening.

I just think it's absurd for you to assert that post gravity isn't a factor. It's ALWAYS a factor, even if you suck at the post. Teams will always rotate to protect the paint. It's just basketball. I don't disagree that teams aren't trying to force LMA to take bad contested shot. They want Leonard to do the same thing. But I'm pretty certain that they aren't saying, "If Aldridge gets the ball, just let him get his fill."

And again, despite the fact that Aldridge is clearly getting first-option plays called for him, and despite your observation that teams are letting LMA take as many bad shots as he wants, Kawhi and Parker are having either career or unexpectedly good years. So it seems clear that Leonard plays very well when the team focuses on feeding LaMarcus first.

Just no. :lol

[dabom]

2015-16 Real Plus-Minus - Power Forwards




RK
NAME
TEAM
GP
MPG
ORPM (http://espn.go.com/nba/statistics/rpm/_/sort/ORPM/position/6)
DRPM (http://espn.go.com/nba/statistics/rpm/_/sort/DRPM/position/6)
RPM (http://espn.go.com/nba/statistics/rpm/_/sort/RPM/position/6)
WINS (http://espn.go.com/nba/statistics/rpm/_/sort/WINS/position/6)


1
Draymond Green (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/6589/draymond-green)
GS
29
35.0
3.02
4.43
7.45
7.15


2
Paul Millsap (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/3015/paul-millsap)
ATL
32
33.1
3.96
2.77
6.73
6.47


3
Channing Frye (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/2754/channing-frye)
ORL
25
18.2
1.93
3.24
5.17
2.35


4
Kevin Love (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/3449/kevin-love)
CLE
28
32.6
3.70
1.32
5.02
4.52


5
Chris Bosh (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/1977/chris-bosh)
MIA
29
33.1
2.56
2.36
4.92
4.75


6
DeMarcus Cousins (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/4258/demarcus-cousins)
SAC
22
33.4
1.31
3.12
4.43
3.52


7
Blake Griffin (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/3989/blake-griffin)
LAC
30
34.9
3.18
0.90
4.08
4.85


8
Dirk Nowitzki (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/609/dirk-nowitzki)
DAL
29
30.2
3.12
0.47
3.59
3.67


9
Anthony Davis (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/6583/anthony-davis)
NO
27
36.4
-0.30
3.71
3.41
4.16


10
Marvin Williams (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/2797/marvin-williams)
CHA
29
30.1
0.91
1.72
2.63
3.17


11
Clint Capela (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/3102529/clint-capela)
HOU
31
20.7
-0.35
2.84
2.49
2.32


12
Amir Johnson (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/2769/amir-johnson)
BOS
29
23.5
-0.25
2.63
2.38
2.34


13
David West (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/2177/david-west)
SA
32
15.8
-0.69
3.04
2.35
1.76


14
Kevin Garnett (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/261/kevin-garnett)
MIN
26
15.2
-1.80
4.12
2.32
1.39


15
Derrick Favors (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/4257/derrick-favors)
UTAH
26
32.6
0.79
1.41
2.20
2.74


16
Kristaps Porzingis (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/3102531/kristaps-porzingis)
NY
32
27.5
-0.14
2.08
1.94
2.67


17
Mike Scott (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/6622/mike-scott)
ATL
26
12.8
1.02
0.40
1.42
0.93


18
Dwight Powell (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/2531367/dwight-powell)
DAL
29
18.4
-1.36
2.78
1.42
1.56


19
Nikola Mirotic (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/6459/nikola-mirotic)
CHI
28
23.6
0.34
0.88
1.22
1.84


20
James Johnson (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/3999/james-johnson)
TOR
25
14.3
-0.17
1.39
1.22
0.96


21
Taj Gibson (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/3986/taj-gibson)
CHI
28
23.3
-0.73
1.91
1.18
1.72


22
Jon Leuer (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/6452/jon-leuer)
PHX
32
21.3
-0.30
1.19
0.89
1.76


23
Spencer Hawes (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/3211/spencer-hawes)
CHA
27
17.0
-0.87
1.68
0.81
1.12


24
Marcus Morris (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/6462/marcus-morris)
DET
31
36.8
0.14
0.62
0.76
2.68


25
Carl Landry (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/3217/carl-landry)
PHI
2
18.0
-0.73
1.43
0.70
0.09


26
LaMarcus Aldridge (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/2983/lamarcus-aldridge)
SA
30
29.6
-1.00
1.58
0.58
2.05




We should make this guy our focal point?

[apalisoc_9]

If you're going to come here and say that Aldridge doesn't get doubled, I really don't know what to tell you. I do know that over the past few weeks, he's been eating players alive when he's gotten the ball in good position. And I can also tell you that Leonard is still being left open or guarded one-on-one quite a bit. That's an obvious mistake by teams, but it's one that keeps happening.

I just think it's absurd for you to assert that post gravity isn't a factor. It's ALWAYS a factor, even if you suck at the post. Teams will always rotate to protect the paint. It's just basketball. I don't disagree that teams aren't trying to force LMA to take bad contested shot. They want Leonard to do the same thing. But I'm pretty certain that they aren't saying, "If Aldridge gets the ball, just let him get his fill."

And again, despite the fact that Aldridge is clearly getting first-option plays called for him, and despite your observation that teams are letting LMA take as many bad shots as he wants, Kawhi and Parker are having either career or unexpectedly good years. So it seems clear that Leonard plays very well when the team focuses on feeding LaMarcus first.

Aldridge isnt getting doubled, not anymore no. None of the better coached teams have doubled Aldridge. Heck even the denver game they didnt double team him.

Post Gravity is not a factor when the post player is inefficient.

You really gonna seat there and tell me Aldridge Post ups is generating good looks for the team? That's absurd. I find it difficult to believe anyone who has watched Aldridge.post up this year and saw the result would genuinly want those plays to be the foundation of the offense.

The spurs have less possesions now as a team. Have less tranition offense than years past and play more half court offense. The only legitimate options for Lamarcus to be.the focal point are post ups and pops and rolls..the former being inefficient the latter two hardly used.

The point I am.making is that offenses rely on defenses to react to get great looks. In the last month teams have not bothered reacting to him. Alot of it has to do with how well Leonard is shooting the three and how Parker can shoot the three now. They are staying put.

Teams today would.generally just let a post player go to work as opposed to helping.

[dabom]

He doesn't have this imaginary pull at all. He doesn't make his teammates better on offense.

I do like the raw production though. There can be something said about that.

[Nathan89]

LMA is alright in near the rim. How often can he really get good position is a concern of mine.

[DAF86]

If you mean that you don't think one player is going to get the majority of the touches, then I agree. But if you mean you don't think one player is going to one who is the first option on the majority of the plays, I disagree. As that video showed, the Spurs pretty much have LMA as the their top option every time down the floor. Teams having to guard against that helps the Spurs run their sets better. A Green-to-LMA entry pass is like Gravity City. Leonard and to a lesser extent Parker can get their points just by being great scorers. But the opponents are game-planning to stop Aldridge.

lol what?

First of all, that video can't show what the Spurs do everytime down the court 'cause the video isn't call "Every Spurs set". It is called "Spurs sets for LaMarcus Aldridge", that's why you see him getting the ball everytime. If they make a video called "Spurs sets for Kawhi Leonard" you will see Leonard getting the ball everytime, tbh. :lol

And second, do you even watch the games? LMA can go six, seven, eight minutes without even touching the ball. He doesn't even come close to "being the first option on the majority of the plays", tbh.

[Chinook]

lol what?

First of all, that video can't show what the Spurs do everytime down the court 'cause the video isn't call "Every Spurs set". It is called "Spurs sets for LaMarcus Aldridge", that's why you see him getting the ball everytime. If they make a video called "Spurs sets for Kawhi Leonard" you will see Leonard getting the ball everytime, tbh. :lol

And second, do you even watch the games? LMA can go six, seven, eight minutes without even touching the ball. He doesn't even come close to "being the first option on the majority of the plays", tbh.

There's a difference between getting the lion's share of touches and being the first option. I've said as much consistently in this thread. The Spurs look to get LMA the ball almost every time down the court. If he isn't open, they do something else. He usually isn't open. That's what it means to be a first OPTION.

[DAF86]

There's a difference between getting the lion's share of touches and being the first option. I've said as much consistently in this thread. The Spurs look to get LMA the ball almost every time down the court. If he isn't open, they do something else. He usually isn't open. That's what it means to be a first OPTION.

I don't see it dog. Yeah, there's sometimes where our guards try to feed LMA the ball but they don't have the guts/skill to make the entry pass and they swing the ball away (way too quickly, imho. But that's another argument) but that doesn't happen enough times to say that LMA "is the first option the majority of the plays". And I know because I have been bitching all season long about LMA not getting enough plays called form him (whether he actually gets the ball or not).

[coachmac87]

Chinook is punking everybody on this topic.

[dabom]

Chinook is punking everybody on this topic.

:lmao


Go back to that hole you came from. :lol

[RD2191]

Yeah, because teams built around LMA have had huge success in the playoffs. :lol

[Chinook]

Aldridge isnt getting doubled, not anymore no. None of the better coached teams have doubled Aldridge. Heck even the denver game they didnt double team him.

The doubled him quite a bit actually. Did they completely commit to the double? No. And teams haven't completely committed to the Kawhi double very often, either. It's not like teams are doing with Curry where they're sending two guys after him as soon as he crosses half-court. Both are being left open to work against their man the majority of the time.


Post Gravity is not a factor when the post player is inefficient.

It's always a factor because players are taught to protect the paint. Hell, Green's back-door last game was because Barton was staring at the paint and not at his man. Number can tell you that you want LMA to post up. The players' instincts tell me to dig in anyway and leave their men open. It would all look a lot better if Danny took a page out of Kawhi's book and fired whenever he is open. Everything would look better.


You really gonna seat there and tell me Aldridge Post ups is generating good looks for the team? That's absurd. I find it difficult to believe anyone who has watched Aldridge.post up this year and saw the result would genuinly want those plays to be the foundation of the offense.

I've been pretty against non-Diaw post-ups for a while now, especially if they're not off movement. But the duck-ins or deep post-ups shown in that video are exceptions. What LMA does that I don't like is trying to back guys down from the elbow. I didn't like it when Kawhi was doing it last year, and I like it even less now that LMA is doing it. You need better position, you re-post.


The spurs have less possesions now as a team. Have less tranition offense than years past and play more half court offense. The only legitimate options for Lamarcus to be.the focal point are post ups and pops and rolls..the former being inefficient the latter two hardly used.

He could also come off screens. Hell, even Tim does that. And he's clearly not a bad roll-man.


The point I am.making is that offenses rely on defenses to react to get great looks. In the last month teams have not bothered reacting to him. Alot of it has to do with how well Leonard is shooting the three and how Parker can shoot the three now. They are staying put.

So the Spurs are 12-2 this month, LMA has a higher PPG and FG% than he did, and yet teams are realizing he's inefficient and leaving him alone? Do you not see how strange that is? And the Spurs are up to third-best offense by ORtg, so it seems like they're playing pretty well on that end now. They'll probably move up to second now that Green is resembling something of his old form.

[YGWHI]

I think i prefer all those plays over a Kawhi post up.

Nothing against Kawhi, but his offense provokes nothing, the defense itself collapses on the paint making almost impossible for us to get an offensive rebound and the worst part is that our best defender is not there for the defensive transition.


It's not about how the Spurs choose to score. It's about how the Spurs choose to make teams defend them. You want teams to have to put get a big down to check LMA every time down the court. You want to force teams to bring that second big over to help in the post. You want teams to leave the PnR ball-handler open because they can't rotate off LMA. These are things that Leonard and Parker simply can't do.

Not sure that Kawhi's offense provokes nothing or not provoke teams to leave our other guys open...In fact Parker, LMA, and most of our reserves have taken advantage of Kawhi getting double teamed this season, scoring easy points.

Making the life easier for his teammates seems a part of Kawhi's offense very underrated...



I think you have to find ways to initiate the offense for Kawhi in other ways than the post up, you can get him off the curl, or teach him how to play the pick and roll. But the problem with the current use is that it has almost no spacing and he seems to take an awful lot of time doing his Kobe thing.

Even when Kawhi's post up are known for consistently high efficiency, he's #4 in the whole league...his spot up plays Freq doubled his post up plays.

But agree with you that it would be nice to see Kawhi involved in pick and roll situations more often, or watch him shooting off the screen since he has strong numbers in those plays too, sadly it isn't the way the Spurs play him.

That's related to the personnel, with Manu/Parker on the court it makes sense that Pop still prefers them to run the PnR but at some point of Kawhi's career we'll see him in that role.

[DAF86]

Chinook is punking everybody on this topic.

Punking everybody by making a very suspect claim that can't be backed by actual facts? :lol

[Chinook]

I don't see it dog. Yeah, there's sometimes where our guards try to feed LMA the ball but they don't have the guts/skill to make the entry pass and they swing the ball away (way too quickly, imho. But that's another argument) but that doesn't happen enough times to say that LMA "is the first option the majority of the plays". And I know because I have been bitching all season long about LMA not getting enough plays called form him (whether he actually gets the ball or not).

Look at it this way: How early do you know someone's broken up the Hammer play? Do you only know once the shooter has to pass the ball away? Do you know after the pass gets deflected? What about when the defender slips behind the hammer screen? It could even be when the initial hand-off is botched. Any of those cases break up a play where Green, or Kawhi or Patty was the first option. Same goes for a PnR where the roll-man gets bumped and the ball goes to the helper's man instead. Or when a player comes off a down-screen only to see a switch, and the ball goes to the other wing. Those players don't have to touch the ball to be the first options.

Essentially, the Spurs are saying, "You have to stop LMA before you worry about the rest of us." And that's a principle reason why the Spurs' offense looks unstoppable when LMA looks good. It was like Green last year -- where if he was getting open looks, you knew the other team's gamplan was shot to hell and the Spurs were going to jog to victory.

[DAF86]

Look at it this way: How early do you know someone's broken up the Hammer play? Do you only know once the shooter has to pass the ball away? Do you know after the pass gets deflected? What about when the defender slips behind the hammer screen? It could even be when the initial hand-off is botched. Any of those cases break up a play where Green, or Kawhi or Patty was the first option. Same goes for a PnR where the roll-man gets bumped and the ball goes to the helper's man instead. Or when a player comes off a down-screen only to see a switch, and the ball goes to the other wing. Those players don't have to touch the ball to be the first options.

Essentially, the Spurs are saying, "You have to stop LMA before you worry about the rest of us." And that's a principle reason why the Spurs' offense looks unstoppable when LMA looks good. It was like Green last year -- where if he was getting open looks, you knew the other team's gamplan was shot to hell and the Spurs were going to jog to victory.

I know what you are trying to say. I know my basketball too, I know that there are many times where the play is called for someone but depending on how the other team defends that specific play another player ends up getting the look thanks to the attention the guy for whom the play was originally called for got without the need of him even getting the ball. But even undestranding all this and knowing almost all the Spurs plays by heart I just don't see this thing you see about LMA being the "first option of the majority of the plays", I just really don't see it.

[Chinook]

I know what you are trying to say. I know my basketball too, I know that there are many times where the play is called for someone but depending on how the other team defense that specific play another player ends up getting the look thanks to the attention the guy for whom the play was originally called for got without the need of him even getting the ball. But even undestranding all this and knowing almost all the Spurs plays by heart I just don't see this thing you see about LMA being the "first option of the majority of the plays", I just really don't see it.

I guess it would be more appropriate of me to say, "sets" rather than "plays." The Spurs are looking for LMA every time down the floor, but I don't think their ideal offense is trying to give him the ball at all costs every time down the floor. In fact, the point of plays for the most part is to give guys looks who don't get them reliably from the offense. In that sense, I don't think high-lowing is actually a play (like the Hammer is) as much as it's just a contingency of the defense.

[spursistan]

He doesn't have this imaginary pull at all. He doesn't make his teammates better on offense.

I do like the raw production though. There can be something said about that.
Though he has never been a great passer, he's been underwhelming relative to the expectation in Spurs system...his ASSISTS per 36 are at a career low if you disregard his rookie season..that's just something that i expected he would be improving inhere; instead he been mostly doing "hot potato" stuff ((with Green for most part) with the ball instead of trying to make a play..

[dabom]

Though he has never been a great passer, he's been underwhelming relative to the expectation in Spurs system...his ASSISTS per 36 are at a career low if you disregard his rookie season..that's just something that i expected he would be improving inhere; instead he been mostly doing "hot potato" stuff ((with Green for most part) with the ball instead of trying to make a play..

He's a good raw numbers guy for the RS. He does his share and keeping the load off the old guys. But he isn't a better first option than Kawhi and never will.

Kawhi should have a system in place to take advantage of his prime instead of giving it to an inefficient first banana then changing it away when he gets old.

[ceperez]

Defenses today are much more concenred defending the three pointers or the perimeter in general and this is specially true with defenses whose teams take a bunch of three pointers in the offense.

The issue is that LMA halfcourt offense has been horrendous to say this least, and the post ups in general have been so bad as pointed out by Harlem and Kawhistorm. Ive said the same thing a month ago.

Defenses are allowing the bigs to go one on one for the most part and even if they do score 48% two pointers is much preferable than 38% three pointers.

By using the bigs you force the defense to react. The problem right now, LMA is so poor at passing out that the SL isnt really getting any advantage of it and many times he doesnt have the option to pass out because the defenses dont react.

The spurs rely heavily on defenses reacting to their offense. They are Godlike in terms of taking advantage of that but its pretty evident when they dont react like in 4th quarter siuations the offense becomes hideous.

But by God if anyone has seens the results of LMA post ups and still want that to be the foundation pf the offense they probably must have sniffed coke of koo aid mans bzutthole tbh.

Agree entirely!

[Mr Bones]

I honestly don't think there needs to be an "alpha" on offense... At the beginning of the season I thought that having both Kawhi & LMA average between 15-18 FGA per game would be ideal... I still feel that way. LMA is just below 14 FGA per and Kawhi is just above 15 FGA per, so they're headed in that direction. Kawhi's assist numbers for the the first 10 games were worrying, but he has adjusted beautifully to being a prime option on O. LMA's FG% for December is better than his FG% for November & better than his career FG% average, so that's really encouraging too... If Green gets his 3ptFG% back to his standard 40%, the Spurs can be pretty scary & efficient on that side of the court.

[ceperez]

Though he has never been a great passer, he's been underwhelming relative to the expectation in Spurs system...his ASSISTS per 36 are at a career low if you disregard his rookie season..that's just something that i expected he would be improving inhere; instead he been mostly doing "hot potato" stuff ((with Green for most part) with the ball instead of trying to make a play..

He can't pass, the entire league knows this. He shoots at a low percentage, the entire league knows this. Anyone who takes the time to run the numbers can figure this out.

The numbers: http://stats.nba.com/tracking/#!/player/shooting/?Season=2015-16&SeasonType=Regular%20Season&sort=EFF_FG_PCT&dir=1&CF=TEAM_ABBREVIATION*E*SAS

So I find it completely beyond comprehension why someone would argue that his LMA's presence draws the defense. The only time that happens if he's right inside the paint. Unfortunately, he's soft so he avoids that kind of dirty work.

[ceperez]

2015-16 Real Plus-Minus - Power Forwards




RK
NAME
TEAM
GP
MPG
ORPM (http://espn.go.com/nba/statistics/rpm/_/sort/ORPM/position/6)
DRPM (http://espn.go.com/nba/statistics/rpm/_/sort/DRPM/position/6)
RPM (http://espn.go.com/nba/statistics/rpm/_/sort/RPM/position/6)
WINS (http://espn.go.com/nba/statistics/rpm/_/sort/WINS/position/6)


1
Draymond Green (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/6589/draymond-green)
GS
29
35.0
3.02
4.43
7.45
7.15


2
Paul Millsap (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/3015/paul-millsap)
ATL
32
33.1
3.96
2.77
6.73
6.47


3
Channing Frye (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/2754/channing-frye)
ORL
25
18.2
1.93
3.24
5.17
2.35


4
Kevin Love (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/3449/kevin-love)
CLE
28
32.6
3.70
1.32
5.02
4.52


5
Chris Bosh (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/1977/chris-bosh)
MIA
29
33.1
2.56
2.36
4.92
4.75


6
DeMarcus Cousins (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/4258/demarcus-cousins)
SAC
22
33.4
1.31
3.12
4.43
3.52


7
Blake Griffin (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/3989/blake-griffin)
LAC
30
34.9
3.18
0.90
4.08
4.85


8
Dirk Nowitzki (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/609/dirk-nowitzki)
DAL
29
30.2
3.12
0.47
3.59
3.67


9
Anthony Davis (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/6583/anthony-davis)
NO
27
36.4
-0.30
3.71
3.41
4.16


10
Marvin Williams (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/2797/marvin-williams)
CHA
29
30.1
0.91
1.72
2.63
3.17


11
Clint Capela (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/3102529/clint-capela)
HOU
31
20.7
-0.35
2.84
2.49
2.32


12
Amir Johnson (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/2769/amir-johnson)
BOS
29
23.5
-0.25
2.63
2.38
2.34


13
David West (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/2177/david-west)
SA
32
15.8
-0.69
3.04
2.35
1.76


14
Kevin Garnett (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/261/kevin-garnett)
MIN
26
15.2
-1.80
4.12
2.32
1.39


15
Derrick Favors (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/4257/derrick-favors)
UTAH
26
32.6
0.79
1.41
2.20
2.74


16
Kristaps Porzingis (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/3102531/kristaps-porzingis)
NY
32
27.5
-0.14
2.08
1.94
2.67


17
Mike Scott (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/6622/mike-scott)
ATL
26
12.8
1.02
0.40
1.42
0.93


18
Dwight Powell (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/2531367/dwight-powell)
DAL
29
18.4
-1.36
2.78
1.42
1.56


19
Nikola Mirotic (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/6459/nikola-mirotic)
CHI
28
23.6
0.34
0.88
1.22
1.84


20
James Johnson (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/3999/james-johnson)
TOR
25
14.3
-0.17
1.39
1.22
0.96


21
Taj Gibson (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/3986/taj-gibson)
CHI
28
23.3
-0.73
1.91
1.18
1.72


22
Jon Leuer (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/6452/jon-leuer)
PHX
32
21.3
-0.30
1.19
0.89
1.76


23
Spencer Hawes (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/3211/spencer-hawes)
CHA
27
17.0
-0.87
1.68
0.81
1.12


24
Marcus Morris (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/6462/marcus-morris)
DET
31
36.8
0.14
0.62
0.76
2.68


25
Carl Landry (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/3217/carl-landry)
PHI
2
18.0
-0.73
1.43
0.70
0.09


26
LaMarcus Aldridge (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/2983/lamarcus-aldridge)
SA
30
29.6
-1.00
1.58
0.58
2.05




We should make this guy our focal point?

Sigh... if it weren't for David West, Spurs will be in deep trouble in the PF position.

[apalisoc_9]

I honestly don't think there needs to be an "alpha" on offense... At the beginning of the season I thought that having both Kawhi & LMA average between 15-18 FGA per game would be ideal... I still feel that way. LMA is just below 14 FGA per and Kawhi is just above 15 FGA per, so they're headed in that direction. Kawhi's assist numbers for the the first 10 games were worrying, but he has adjusted beautifully to being a prime option on O. LMA's FG% for December is better than his FG% for November & better than his career FG% average, so that's really encouraging too... If Green gets his 3ptFG% back to his standard 40%, the Spurs can be pretty scary & efficient on that side of the court.

Jesus Christ. I Thought this guy was already on my ignore list. This thread is now overflowing with vanilla casual mainstream take just with this hideous post. Just as Bad as Aldridge post ups. Groce. Ew. Disgusting.

[Mr Bones]

Jesus Christ. I Thought this guy was already on my ignore list. This thread is now overflowing with vanilla casual mainstream take just with this hideous post. Just as Bad as Aldridge post ups. Groce. Ew. Disgusting.

Cool take. You're edgy.

Can't wait to see you quit, return, quit, return & quit, return in the upcoming melodramatic months!

[dabom]

Jesus Christ. I Thought this guy was already on my ignore list. This thread is now overflowing with vanilla casual mainstream take just with this hideous post. Just as Bad as Aldridge post ups. Groce. Ew. Disgusting.

:lol

Funny thing is Spurs have always had a go to guy. This guy is a dumbass. :lmao

[Mr Bones]

Funny thing is Spurs have always had a go to guy.


That's just a cliche you parrot. In the past, a hundred posters here said big time free agents NEVER sign with the Spurs. No one says that anymore. Not being able to see possibilities because they haven't already happened is the surest sign of not understanding anything. Feel free to respond with lots of emojis...

[Mr Bones]

Who was the go to guy in '07 when the Spurs won the title? Duncan w/ 14.1 FGA per games, or Parker with 14.2 FGAs per game?

[TheMulletMan3000]

:toast This is great. Thanks

[Mr Bones]

:lol

Funny thing is Spurs have always had a go to guy.


That's just a cliche you parrot. In the past, a hundred posters here said big time free agents NEVER sign with the Spurs. No one says that anymore. Not being able to see possibilities because they haven't already happened is the surest sign of not understanding anything. Feel free to respond with lots of emojis...


Who was the go to guy in '07 when the Spurs won the title? Duncan w/ 14.1 FGA per games, or Parker with 14.2 FGAs per game?

Best way to deal with children... ask them a serious question.

[BillMc]

Good vid. Thanks for posting OP.

[dabom]

Best way to deal with children... ask them a serious question.

No one is taking you seriously. I sure don't. Dam you got me to reply.:lol

[Mr Bones]

No one is taking you seriously. I sure don't. Dam you got me to reply.:lol

Funny, when I post about how dumb You & Apo are, there seem to be droves of people agreeing. Dam (sic), I guess you ain't a real good reader.

[dabom]

Funny, when I post about how dumb You & Apo are, there seem to be droves of people agreeing. Dam (sic), I guess you ain't a real good reader.

Except I'm probably one of the more knowledgeable posters here. Shitty posters like yourself agreeing with each other doesn't change that. :lmao

[bobcatfan4life]

Except I'm probably one of the more knowledgeable posters here. Shitty posters like yourself agreeing with each other doesn't change that. :lmao

:lmao

[dabom]

:lmao

Never seen this faggot before. :lmao



Serious. :lmao

[Mr Bones]

Except I'm probably one of the more knowledgeable posters here. Shitty posters like yourself agreeing with each other doesn't change that. :lmao

You're easily one of the dumbest posters, who makes up ridiculous lies (I'm an engineer!), misspells every 5th word, calls people "faggots," and relies mostly on emojis to express opinions. But good luck in the future.

[dabom]

I noted early on that LMA was a better defender in the system than an offensive player but one that would get better as he got acclimated to the Spurs system. Probably the 1st week or 2. RPM was not available the first month and a half or so and it says the same thing. The shooting percentages are also going up for LMA. Something I said was going to happen. Said Kawhi was going to be our best offensive player ahead of LMA. I'm not usually wrong faggot.

[dabom]

You're easily one of the dumbest posters, who makes up ridiculous lies (I'm an engineer!), misspells every 5th word, calls people "faggots," and relies mostly on emojis to express opinions. But good luck in the future.

None of your takes are good. Borderline trash. Stick to watching the games casual. :lmao

[Mr Bones]

What kind of engineer are you?

[dabom]

I don't even remember one notable take from mrfaggot. Anyone even know any? Anyone...?

[Mr Bones]

I don't even remember one notable take from mrfaggot. Anyone even know any? Anyone...?

So you're a fake engineer with a bad memory. Cool.

[dabom]

What kind of engineer are you?

I've already said too many things about my life in here. I'm not going to let people connect the dots.

And you know how we know you lost this argument? Ad hominem. Let chump educate you on that one faggot. :lmao

Can't talk about basketball. :lmao

[RD2191]

I don't even remember one notable take from mrfaggot. Anyone even know any? Anyone...?
:lol

[dabom]

Seriously people. Anyone even know where this faggot stands on anything? Last chance...

[dabom]

:lol

I'm gonna add mrfaggot to my murked list. :lol

[Mr Bones]

By the way, let me point out that it's not possible to "not remember any of my takes" and also think that "all of my takes are terrible." If you don't know what the takes are, you obviously can't analyze them. See how that works?

[dabom]

By the way, let me point out that it's not possible to "not remember any of my takes" and also think that "all of my takes are terrible." If you don't know what the takes are, you obviously can't analyze them. See how that works?

They're so shitty when I read them, I forgot about them because they are trash. If there was anything of merit, I would remember them. Get that? :lmao

[Mr Bones]

They're so shitty when I read them, I forgot about them because they are trash. If there was anything of merit, I would remember them. Get that? :lmao

Your ability to use logic goes perfectly with your fake engineer status. Let me know when you walk on the moon, cure cancer, and marry Rihanna, ok? I'd love to send a congratulatory gift.

[ceperez]

Time to trade Lamarcus Aldridge, Spurs have a new 3 and D center:

681614751269400576

[kaji157]

Not sure that Kawhi's offense provokes nothing or not provoke teams to leave our other guys open...In fact Parker, LMA, and most of our reserves have taken advantage of Kawhi getting double teamed this season, scoring easy points.

Making the life easier for his teammates seems a part of Kawhi's offense very underrated...




Even when Kawhi's post up are known for consistently high efficiency, he's #4 in the whole league...his spot up plays Freq doubled his post up plays.

But agree with you that it would be nice to see Kawhi involved in pick and roll situations more often, or watch him shooting off the screen since he has strong numbers in those plays too, sadly it isn't the way the Spurs play him.

That's related to the personnel, with Manu/Parker on the court it makes sense that Pop still prefers them to run the PnR but at some point of Kawhi's career we'll see him in that role.

I disagree that other players score more efficiently, my eye test says that when Kawhi is having a high usage almost no Spurs benefits from assists or hockey assists from him.

I think this should be checked, but when he cannot find his shoot he really struggles to create. So while he IS effective scoring, he is not good once the defense takes away his first option.

[Mr Bones]

Time to trade Lamarcus Aldridge, Spurs have a new 3 and D center:

681614751269400576

nice!

[Spurtacular]

Aldridge does weak screens designed to free teammates so that he'll get the ball as the next option. That's troubling to me. This is why the offense doesn't hit on all cylinders and why he's not necessarily the big upgrade from Tiago.

[bic50]

Aldridge does weak screens designed to free teammates so that he'll get the ball as the next option. That's troubling to me. This is why the offense doesn't hit on all cylinders and why he's not necessarily the big upgrade from Tiago.

Tiago did set really good screens. I remember after that series against Portland in 2014 playoffs, Lillard mentioned how the screens hurt.

[YGWHI]

my eye test says that when Kawhi is having a high usage almost no Spurs benefits from assists or hockey assists from him.

I think this should be checked, but when he cannot find his shoot he really struggles to create. So while he IS effective scoring, he is not good once the defense takes away his first option.

I wouldn't trust in your eye test...Kawhi finding West twice in the first quarter tonight, passing to Boris for a 3 shot last game, to Patty to finish the quarter, to Tim in the last quarter in Houston, the list is extensive...

He's fiding open guys everytime the defense collapses on him.

[kaji157]

I wouldn't trust in your eye test...Kawhi finding West twice in the first quarter tonight, passing to Boris for a 3 shot last game, to Patty to finish the quarter, to Tim in the last quarter in Houston, the list is extensive...

He's fiding open guys everytime the defense collapses on him.

http://i.imgur.com/Qb84TC9.png

[ceperez]

BTW, LMA is a scrub with regards to offensive plus minus:

Aldridge rank is #208.

So anyone fanboy praising LMA's great offensive game, doesn't really look at the actual numbers.

[YGWHI]

...
A TS % graphic doesn't show how many points his teammates score with him on the court, how he was double teamed all season, and how good he has handled it finding the open guy.
Kawhi's having more assists in December than the rest of the season, that's a better indicator of him making the life easier for his teammates...

[SAGirl]

A coach took the time to put this together. Thought I'd share:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkFxm0byQT4
This was put together in December 2015 and I recognize some of these sets as sets the team still runs to this day with Pau Gasol in Duncan's role and with Dejounte in Tony's spot... except that Dejounte bc he's such an aggressive rebounder, sticks under the basket after cutting... I don't see many changes in the Spurs offense at all... except that they do a lot more PnR with every perimeter player, since they don't have (without Kawhi) a singularly dominant PnR player... so they spread the load around. Pau being out the SL, the hi-lo action has diminished. Davis is not a great passer in hi lo, if you pass to him and he has a sliver of daylight he wants to shoot, Kyle instead has his passes made very difficult by the fact that he doesn't want to shoot, so his defender sags off him and jumps passing lanes resulting in TO for him... He was thus made to be more aggressive himself looking to score to force his defender to guard him and that is the reason he has lately had some higher scoring games. (against Denver and GSW for example)

What we saw is probably short lived, specially if the team gets everyone they expect back. It will be interesting to see how they adjust, does Pau get back to the SL with everyone healthy or no?