Monroe: Lack of rebounding hurts Spurs

[timvp]

http://www.drudgereport.com/siren.gifLack of rebounding hurts Spurshttp://www.drudgereport.com/siren.gif

Mike Monroe
Express-News

After two days off to think about deficiencies that contributed to losses at Utah and Phoenix, the Spurs got a visual reminder before a lengthy practice session at their team facility on Super Bowl morning.

A film session that lasted nearly an hour before they took the court revealed outstanding defensive effort was often negated when the Jazz and Suns got second, and sometimes third, opportunities by beating the Spurs to rebounds after defensive stops.

Utah, one of the NBA's best rebounding teams, had a 50-32 advantage on the glass in its 97-93 victory over the Spurs.

Phoenix, hardly one of the league's more physical units, outrebounded the Spurs, 51-41, with 15 offensive rebounds in its 103-87 victory.

Tim Duncan had 12 rebounds against the Jazz, 18 against the Suns. None of his teammates had more than six in either game — and point guard Tony Parker had six against Utah.

"Utah, it's hard to beat them on the boards, because they are really good," Manu Ginobili said. "But usually Phoenix is a team that's not that good a rebounding team, and they got us, too. So we just have to think more about it, everybody (has to) go hard, try to compete every single possession, and try to change that. But it's not something you can practice. You've just got to go at it."

Starting center Fabricio Oberto did not grab a single rebound against Utah, and had only four against Phoenix. The solution, he said, is simply to keep working hard and remembering that when Duncan is double-teamed, it creates openings for other players to get to the boards.

"We know that sometimes when they overplay him, even our guys try to help him, and we have to get more adjusted to finding the empty spot, the hole in the paint, so we can help.

"Most of the time, I think we just have to play with more energy every game, hustle and run the floor. Tim is really the best four/five man in the league, passing and shooting and rebounding and blocking shots. Sometimes he simplifies the game for the other big on the other side, so we have to give more effort and help him."

Francisco Elson, who had moved into the starting lineup at center before suffering a small tear in his right rotator cuff in December, had nine rebounds in the Spurs' two losses, but his playing time has remained limited as he works his way back into the playing rotation.

Now, Elson says he is fully recovered and ready to play more.

"It's just a matter of time to get back in the rotation and get comfortable," he said.

If coach Gregg Popovich is considering another lineup change to jump-start the team's rebounding by starting Elson at center, he has not said. Popovich recently shook up the starting lineup by replacing Ginobili with Brent Barry.

Like his fellow Argentine, Oberto said he would have no problem going back to a bench role if Popovich believed it would help the Spurs solve problems.

"All my career, I love the teamwork," said Oberto. "I am a team player. Even with the national team, I always say I don't need a lot of minutes. I only prefer to win. It's the only thing that matters, and that's what we are here for.

"The coaches know better than us the game and what is best for the team."

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA020507.05D.Spurs.17948a9.html





Shocking. :sleep

http://espn.starwave.com/i/nba/profiles/players/small/3663.jpg

[SilverPlayer]

Wow, that was some deep and insightful investigative reporting right there. I don't know why I didn't see it before? Rebounding?!? That's just confabulous!

[Big Shot Rob]

Damn guys!!!

Rebounding!!!

What didn't we think of that!!!

THat Pop is a fucking genius!!!

[Kori Ellis]

It will be interesting to see if Pop puts Elson back in the starting lineup. He will probably rebound more (maybe) than Oberto but the D would probably get even worse.

Too bad there's not an available PF or C that can rebound and defend.

[Big Shot Rob]

My 85 year old mother screams at the TV set for somebody to grab a damn rebound--I think even casual fans know the problem.

[Das Texan]

we have rebounding problems.


I never would have guessed it.

[GrandeDavid]

I'm glad they've recognized the problem, now let's hope they can physically correct it. All season long the Spurs have intelligently articulated their awareness of their weaknesses, but we still tap our thumbs on the table waiting for words to be translated into action. In other words, hit the damn boards.

[Big Shot Rob]

The first step in solving a problem is to acknowledge it.

"My name is Spurs Bench.

"I am a reboundaholic..."

Crowd responds in unison:

"Hello Reboundaholic..."

[Extra Stout]

We look forward to future E-N headlines:

"Aging role players an issue for Spurs"

"Interior defense still a work in progress for Spurs"

"Backup point play a problem"

"Help lacking for Duncan inside"

"Weary veteran legs prepare for playoff run"

"Rebounding, hot shooting propel Mavs to 2-0 lead"

"Season in review: Aging roster, disappointing acquisitions lead to season cut short"

"Offseason report: Pop insists roster OK as is for 2007-08"

[boutons_]

The bad RB problem was very evident last year during the season.

Fixed, stepped up for the playoffs?

No, Spurs lost RB in all 7 games vs Mavs.

[SilverPlayer]

We look forward to future E-N headlines:

"Aging role players an issue for Spurs"

"Interior defense still a work in progress for Spurs"

"Backup point play a problem"

"Help lacking for Duncan inside"

"Weary veteran legs prepare for playoff run"

"Rebounding, hot shooting propel Mavs to 2-0 lead"

"Season in review: Aging roster, disappointing acquisitions lead to season cut short"

"Offseason report: Pop insists roster OK as is for 2007-08"

<sigh> Sad but probably also the most dead on prediction of the year, if they don't get some help.

[Trainwreck2100]

The first step in solving a problem is to acknowledge it.

"My name is Spurs Bench.

"I am a reboundaholic..."

Crowd responds in unison:

"Hello Reboundaholic..."


That would imply they robound alot. And the croud wouldn't say "Hello reboundaholic", it would say "hello spurs bench"

[The Truth #6]

I know it would have repulsed people but I wish the Spurs moved Tim to C and had pursued Reggie Evans in the summer. At least he could have rebounded the ball, or balls.

[Rick Von Braun]

We look forward to future E-N headlines:

"Aging role players an issue for Spurs"

"Interior defense still a work in progress for Spurs"

"Backup point play a problem"

"Help lacking for Duncan inside"

"Weary veteran legs prepare for playoff run"

"Rebounding, hot shooting propel Mavs to 2-0 lead"

"Season in review: Aging roster, disappointing acquisitions lead to season cut short"

"Offseason report: Pop insists roster OK as is for 2007-08"

:lmao

[Big Shot Rob]

You know--damn!--you're right.

Let me re-phrase--

"I am Rebound-aphobic..."

[VaSpursFan]

it really bothers me that the FO/coaching staff seem to be a step behind this board...if we can see the gaping holes, what takes them so long to recognize them?

rebounding a problem...no shit!!!! it's been a problem since the first game of the season.

[intlspurshk]

Why not sign Reggie Evans or even Melvin Ely? They can't be worse, can they

[Phenomanul]

We look forward to future E-N headlines:

"Aging role players an issue for Spurs"

"Interior defense still a work in progress for Spurs"

"Backup point play a problem"

"Help lacking for Duncan inside"

"Weary veteran legs prepare for playoff run"

"Rebounding, hot shooting propel Mavs to 2-0 lead"

"Season in review: Aging roster, disappointing acquisitions lead to season cut short"

"Offseason report: Pop insists roster OK as is for 2007-08"

:depressed sad but true....

Ahhhhhhhhhhh

I still want to believe.... heck...

I still believe.... YES!

I BELIEVE!

[MannyIsGod]

I've seen worse teams lifted to championships by a single player. Hakeem did it. Thats probably what its going to take for the Spurs to win it.

Are Tony, Tim, and Manu capable of that kind of a performance? Perhaps. But It certainly isn't all too likely.

[Das Texan]

I've seen worse teams lifted to championships by a single player. Hakeem did it. Thats probably what its going to take for the Spurs to win it.

Are Tony, Tim, and Manu capable of that kind of a performance? Perhaps. But It certainly isn't all too likely.


Its going to have to be Timmy or Manu that lifts their performance to some ungodly level.


I would say Tony, but I just dont think its possible for him to take over a game like them two can, mostly because his range hasnt fully developed yet.


Tim, Tony and Manu though alone could take this team to the Promised Land. Will it be tough? You bet your sweet ass. Do I want that to be the case? No.

But if its what has to be done, it could happen. Its going to come down to desire.

[TDMVPDPOY]

how come td doesnt pull down 15+ rebs sometimes like how KG does on a one man fuckn team.....very :(:(

[Big Shot Rob]

Guys--

We still need to believe!

Did the Americans quit after we were bombed by the Germans at Pearl Harbor?!

[leemajors]

I've seen worse teams lifted to championships by a single player. Hakeem did it. Thats probably what its going to take for the Spurs to win it.

Are Tony, Tim, and Manu capable of that kind of a performance? Perhaps. But It certainly isn't all too likely.

it didn't hurt that smith, horry, elie and cassell were raining threes either.

[Mr. Body]

it didn't hurt that smith, horry, elie and cassell were raining threes either.

Yeah, their role players were incredible.

[NuGGeTs-FaN]

Slide Duncan to Center and get a 3rd team involved for a trade that brings Reggie to the Spurs and something decent to Denver :smokin

[Trainwreck2100]

it didn't hurt that smith, horry, elie and cassell were raining threes either.

ding ding remember 04 when nobody would hit an outside shot in the playoffs? Same when the Lakers rolled the Spurs in 01, and 02. Theyd send 3 guys at Duncan and make the other team beat you. The pheonix game Marion was put on Parker, and when that happens Bowen has to hit the wide open threes he's given thanks to Nash caring more about sitting up the next offensive play than guarding him.

[sabar]

We look forward to future E-N headlines:

"Aging role players an issue for Spurs"

"Interior defense still a work in progress for Spurs"

"Backup point play a problem"

"Help lacking for Duncan inside"

"Weary veteran legs prepare for playoff run"

"Rebounding, hot shooting propel Mavs to 2-0 lead"

"Season in review: Aging roster, disappointing acquisitions lead to season cut short"

"Offseason report: Pop insists roster OK as is for 2007-08"

This is so true it's scary.

[Mr. Body]

"Offseason report: Pop insists roster OK as is for 2007-08"

Summer 2008 we get Elton Brand. Until then, it's free swim.

[ducks]

jeff foster

[Lebowski Brickowski]

"Utah, it's hard to beat them on the boards, because they are really good," Manu Ginobili said. "But usually Phoenix is a team that's not that good a rebounding team, and they got us, too. So we just have to think more about it, everybody (has to) go hard, try to compete every single possession, and try to change that. But it's not something you can practice. You've just got to go at it."



Huh? You can't practice rebounding? Is that why we can't rebound in the first place?

[ManuTastic]

Rebounding you can practice. Hustle, energy, and youth you can't.
So yes, we need some kind of trade. Or for Elson to turn into a beast...

[ArgSpursFan]

how come td doesnt pull down 15+ rebs sometimes like how KG does on a one man fuckn team.....very :(:(

TD is having less minutes this reg season,that´s why.
He is still capable to grab 15+rebs p/game.+we know Manu is capable to average 20 + pts in the playoffs.
we´ll see what happens when the playoffs come around,but I still think that with a 3 men orchestra wont be enough to beat Dallas or Phoenix in the playoffs.Everybody needs to step up as well.

[Mavschick]

It's not just your post guys you need to get rebounds. You need to get the SF motivated to get in there too. Bowen averages a pathetic 2.6 rebounds a game. As a PF, Dirk is nothing special rebounding-wise yet DAL still has the third-highest rebound-differential (for-against) because SF Josh Howard gets in there and averages 7.5 rebounds a game. NYY is first in that category despite Eddy Curry being one of the weakest rebounding C's in the game because SF Q. Richardson gets in there and averages 7.3 rebounds a game. You can't rely on just your post players to vacuum up rebounds. They need help.

[ArgSpursFan]

It's not just your post guys you need to get rebounds. You need to get the SF motivated to get in there too. Bowen averages a pathetic 2.6 rebounds a game. As a PF, Dirk is nothing special rebounding-wise yet DAL still has the third-highest rebound-differential (for-against) because SF Josh Howard gets in there and averages 7.5 rebounds a game. NYY is first in that category despite Eddy Curry being one of the weakest rebounding C's in the game because SF Q. Richardson gets in there and averages 7.3 rebounds a game. You can't rely on just your post players to vacuum up rebounds. They need help.

bowen will never be a good D.rebounder,cause he always too busy guarding the other team´s best perimetral player,who happens to shoot more tham the rest of his teammates,and he´ll be trying to get that shot blocked.

[Extra Stout]

It's not just your post guys you need to get rebounds. You need to get the SF motivated to get in there too. Bowen averages a pathetic 2.6 rebounds a game. As a PF, Dirk is nothing special rebounding-wise yet DAL still has the third-highest rebound-differential (for-against) because SF Josh Howard gets in there and averages 7.5 rebounds a game. NYY is first in that category despite Eddy Curry being one of the weakest rebounding C's in the game because SF Q. Richardson gets in there and averages 7.3 rebounds a game. You can't rely on just your post players to vacuum up rebounds. They need help.
The Spurs haven't been structured around a strong-rebounding SF for ages. basically, they have started two swingmen ever since they got Bowen, and traded off size and rebounding for Bowen's superior defense.

Making that scheme work depended on excellent rebounding from the PF and C. It was a lot easier when David Robinson manned the post, backed up by a rebound hog like Malik Rose in his prime.

They tried to address the issue of a bigger SF with Hedo Turkoglu, but he didn't pan out here.

They then tried to patch things together with Nesterovic and Mohammed, with Horry, and they played just well enough to deliver 1 championship, before that plan unravelled.

Now, with Horry so old, and Oberto and Elson's play so astonishingly bad, and the search for the "long 3" so unfruitful, there is nobody to pick up the slack for having a perimeter-defense-specialist swingman playing small forward.

Also, Bowen is probably around 85% of what we was at his peak.

[objective]

lol, when addressing the rebounding problems Oberto only talks about crashing the offensive boards. Surrendering defensive glass might want to be addressed.

[ploto]

They tried to address the issue of a bigger SF with Hedo Turkoglu, but he didn't pan out here.

Hedo was a good rebounder for the Spurs. That was the season Pop called them the best rebounding Spurs team he had coached.

[rascal]

The Spurs haven't been structured around a strong-rebounding SF for ages. basically, they have started two swingmen ever since they got Bowen, and traded off size and rebounding for Bowen's superior defense.

Making that scheme work depended on excellent rebounding from the PF and C. It was a lot easier when David Robinson manned the post, backed up by a rebound hog like Malik Rose in his prime.

They tried to address the issue of a bigger SF with Hedo Turkoglu, but he didn't pan out here.

They then tried to patch things together with Nesterovic and Mohammed, with Horry, and they played just well enough to deliver 1 championship, before that plan unravelled.

Now, with Horry so old, and Oberto and Elson's play so astonishingly bad, and the search for the "long 3" so unfruitful, there is nobody to pick up the slack for having a perimeter-defense-specialist swingman playing small forward.

Also, Bowen is probably around 85% of what we was at his peak.

Great analysis. I agree. Bowen no longer works well for the spurs because of the weakness at the 5. With Robinson, Bowen could afford to concentrate on defense and not be in position to get many rebounds because Robinson was picking up the slack but with weak interior rebounding at the 5 now Bowen's lack of rebounding is more apparent.

[Solid D]

We look forward to future E-N headlines:

"Aging role players an issue for Spurs"

"Interior defense still a work in progress for Spurs"

"Backup point play a problem"

"Help lacking for Duncan inside"

"Weary veteran legs prepare for playoff run"

"Rebounding, hot shooting propel Mavs to 2-0 lead"

"Season in review: Aging roster, disappointing acquisitions lead to season cut short"

"Offseason report: Pop insists roster OK as is for 2007-08"

:lol :tu


how come td doesnt pull down 15+ rebs sometimes like how KG does on a one man ***** team.....very :(:(

Timmy had 18 rebounds in his last game against PHX. He's not having as good a rebounding year as KG, but it's clear Duncan is making a more concerted effort to block shots and hold down the fort in the lane.

[vanvannen]

Great analysis. I agree. Bowen no longer works well for the spurs because of the weakness at the 5. With Robinson, Bowen could afford to concentrate on defense and not be in position to get many rebounds because Robinson was picking up the slack but with weak interior rebounding at the 5 now Bowen's lack of rebounding is more apparent.

I Agree. A case could be done about Bowen's subpar defense this year for not having a good shot blocker behind him (apart from Timmy).
We could say Spurs defense as a whole has gone down since we lost a second post presence on defense.
This was pretty obvious in last year's playoffs when TD played like a beast and we got consistently killed on the boards.

[Solid D]

how come td doesnt pull down 15+ rebs sometimes like how KG does on a one man ***** team.....very :(:(



Timmy had 18 rebounds in his last game against PHX. He's not having as good a rebounding year as KG, but it's clear Duncan is making a more concerted effort to block shots and hold down the fort in the lane.

In fact, Timmy has had 9 games this year with 15+ rebounds. KG has had 7 games of 15+ rebounds.

[itzsoweezee]

say whatever junk you want about elson, but don't say the guy can't rebound.

rebounding is a huge problem for the spurs. so the logical step would be to play elson since he's the second best rebounder on the team. but that hasn't been happening. the result? more poor rebounding as a whole.

so the spurs can either stop bitching about rebounding and continue losing or play elson and at least give themselves a shot (there is no trade coming. quit dreaming).

[nkdlunch]

say whatever junk you want about elson, but don't say the guy can't rebound.

rebounding is a huge problem for the spurs. so the logical step would be to play elson since he's the second best rebounder on the team. but that hasn't been happening. the result? more poor rebounding as a whole.

so the spurs can either stop bitching about rebounding and continue losing or play elson and at least give themselves a shot (there is no trade coming. quit dreaming).

the problem with that is that with Elson on the floor, the opposing team does not need to worry about offensive rebounds cause his defense sucks so bad, they will score on the first try.

[Big Shot Rob]

I would start Elson and then Bonner.

I'd tell Fab he may as well make himself useful and help the ball boy pick up the jock straps from the floor after practice, clean the toilets really good--use alot of elbow grease there, Fab cause the players have been sick as hell this year and have been puking and shitting their germs all over the place...

[SOFT SPURS]

Grow a NUTSACK SPURS FANS!!!!!!!!!!

[SOFT SPURS]

Believe!!!!!!!!!!

[ploto]

say whatever junk you want about elson, but don't say the guy can't rebound.
Elson has worse career rebounding numbers per minute than Rasho. :lol

[itzsoweezee]

the problem with that is that with Elson on the floor, the opposing team does not need to worry about offensive rebounds cause his defense sucks so bad, they will score on the first try.


popovich needs to make some adjustments. he should try doing what so many other teams do to the spurs, pack the lane and force jumpshots. that would cut down a lot on the so-called "rotations" problem. maybe elson isn't great at rotating on defense, but he can definitely guard the rim. obviously, a good coach would make adjustments to make up for his team's deficiencies.

[itzsoweezee]

Elson has worse career rebounding numbers per minute than Rasho. :lol

what's funny is how you ignore their stats this year. rasho is averaging less rebounds while playing four more minutes a game. :lol