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12-30-2004, 05:54 PM
Defense-first approach still scores with Spurs
Web Posted: 12/30/2004 12:00 AM CST
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer
PORTLAND, Ore. The Spurs are running more, passing more and, as a result, scoring more.
More coverage
Tonight: Spurs (23-6) at Trail Blazers (13-13)
Manu Ginobili's wraparound passes and Tony Parker's now-you-see-me-now-you-don't dashes down the lane have become regular staples of nightly highlight shows. Even the team's routine ball movement, Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers said, "is really cool to watch."
But while their offense might have gone Broadway, the Spurs insist their blue-collar identity hasn't changed.
"We can score a little bit now, so people tend to lose sight of what gets it done for us," Bruce Bowen said. "And that's defense."
Despite a spike in scoring around the league, the Spurs' success remains anchored on the other side of the court. For the second consecutive season, they lead the NBA in field-goal percentage defense and scoring defense, holding opponents to an average of 85.5 points per game on 41.2 percent shooting.
On Tuesday, the Spurs limited Phoenix's top-ranked offense to 94 points more than 15 below its season average on 39.7 percent shooting. It was the 13th time this season they held an opponent below 40 percent.
"We don't care if they have the top offense," Parker said of the Suns. "Our thing is to stop people."
No team has done that consistently better the past eight seasons than the Spurs. Since Tim Duncan joined them for the 1997-98 season, the Spurs have ranked in the top five in field-goal percentage defense and scoring defense each year.
Last season, they held opponents to an average of 84.3points on 40.9 percent shooting both NBA record-lows for an 82-game season.
This season, the Spurs have avoided becoming victims of their success.
In an effort to improve shooting percentages and allow players to take advantage of their athleticism, referees are calling perimeter contact more closely. The crackdown has had its desired effect. Scoring is up, and players aggressive about driving to the basket are harder to defend.
The Spurs' defense, however, hasn't suffered much.
"We haven't really been affected by it," Malik Rose said. "Pop (coach Gregg Popovich) made us go through a lot of weird drills in training camp the first month, as far as keeping our hands out of the cookie jar."
In a testament to their discipline, the Spurs lead the league in blocks (6.62 per game) while ranking third in fewest fouls committed. Duncan swatted five shots in Tuesday's first half, setting the tone for the evening.
The Spurs were pleased with their effort Tuesday given that they already had lost twice to Seattle. The Sonics' tempo and let-it-fly attitude are comparable to that of Phoenix. Seattle, like the Suns, can create matchup problems by going small.
For much of Tuesday's first quarter, the Spurs looked in danger of being run off their court. Phoenix's 35 points were the most the Spurs have allowed in an opening quarter this season.
After initially asking Duncan and Rasho Nesterovic to focus on containing Suns forward Amar้ Stoudemire, Popovich reverted to the team's usual philosophy where the big men help longer on pick-and-rolls. The switch allowed the Spurs to corral Steve Nash, who did not score in the final three quarters.
Phoenix totaled 34 points in the decisive second and third quarters.
Though the Spurs outrebounded Phoenix 52-39, Popovich was more pleased they limited the Suns to a season-low 12 3-point attempts, more than 10 below their average.
"I think in the first quarter we were in a little shock at seeing the ball flying around everywhere," Nesterovic said. "But we have confidence that sooner or later our system is going to start working."
Web Posted: 12/30/2004 12:00 AM CST
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer
PORTLAND, Ore. The Spurs are running more, passing more and, as a result, scoring more.
More coverage
Tonight: Spurs (23-6) at Trail Blazers (13-13)
Manu Ginobili's wraparound passes and Tony Parker's now-you-see-me-now-you-don't dashes down the lane have become regular staples of nightly highlight shows. Even the team's routine ball movement, Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers said, "is really cool to watch."
But while their offense might have gone Broadway, the Spurs insist their blue-collar identity hasn't changed.
"We can score a little bit now, so people tend to lose sight of what gets it done for us," Bruce Bowen said. "And that's defense."
Despite a spike in scoring around the league, the Spurs' success remains anchored on the other side of the court. For the second consecutive season, they lead the NBA in field-goal percentage defense and scoring defense, holding opponents to an average of 85.5 points per game on 41.2 percent shooting.
On Tuesday, the Spurs limited Phoenix's top-ranked offense to 94 points more than 15 below its season average on 39.7 percent shooting. It was the 13th time this season they held an opponent below 40 percent.
"We don't care if they have the top offense," Parker said of the Suns. "Our thing is to stop people."
No team has done that consistently better the past eight seasons than the Spurs. Since Tim Duncan joined them for the 1997-98 season, the Spurs have ranked in the top five in field-goal percentage defense and scoring defense each year.
Last season, they held opponents to an average of 84.3points on 40.9 percent shooting both NBA record-lows for an 82-game season.
This season, the Spurs have avoided becoming victims of their success.
In an effort to improve shooting percentages and allow players to take advantage of their athleticism, referees are calling perimeter contact more closely. The crackdown has had its desired effect. Scoring is up, and players aggressive about driving to the basket are harder to defend.
The Spurs' defense, however, hasn't suffered much.
"We haven't really been affected by it," Malik Rose said. "Pop (coach Gregg Popovich) made us go through a lot of weird drills in training camp the first month, as far as keeping our hands out of the cookie jar."
In a testament to their discipline, the Spurs lead the league in blocks (6.62 per game) while ranking third in fewest fouls committed. Duncan swatted five shots in Tuesday's first half, setting the tone for the evening.
The Spurs were pleased with their effort Tuesday given that they already had lost twice to Seattle. The Sonics' tempo and let-it-fly attitude are comparable to that of Phoenix. Seattle, like the Suns, can create matchup problems by going small.
For much of Tuesday's first quarter, the Spurs looked in danger of being run off their court. Phoenix's 35 points were the most the Spurs have allowed in an opening quarter this season.
After initially asking Duncan and Rasho Nesterovic to focus on containing Suns forward Amar้ Stoudemire, Popovich reverted to the team's usual philosophy where the big men help longer on pick-and-rolls. The switch allowed the Spurs to corral Steve Nash, who did not score in the final three quarters.
Phoenix totaled 34 points in the decisive second and third quarters.
Though the Spurs outrebounded Phoenix 52-39, Popovich was more pleased they limited the Suns to a season-low 12 3-point attempts, more than 10 below their average.
"I think in the first quarter we were in a little shock at seeing the ball flying around everywhere," Nesterovic said. "But we have confidence that sooner or later our system is going to start working."