Harry Callahan
03-15-2008, 11:06 AM
I was wondering for awhile about this, so I thought I'd look it up (NBA.com).
For Duncan's career totals prior to the 2007-2008 regular season, he averaged 7.5 FT Attempts per game.
In the 2007-2008 season, the FT attempts per game are 5.9, the worst since his rookie season in the league (5.8 in 97-98). David Robinson was still an outstanding player back then and the leading scorer on that team - he took a lot of shots (and potential FT attempts) back in those days.
Tim is playing 34-35 minutes per game - similar to the last two or three years.
Shot attempts for his career are 16.3 versus 15.5 this year - only 5% off from historical averages.
A 21% decline in FTs per game this year from career averages is a huge dropoff. It's not like Tim has had a huge reduction in minutes or shots from recent prior years (especially the last 2-3).
Is there any wonder why Tim is getting frustrated on a regular basis when he is getting a lot of contact at the basket and not getting the same opportunities to go to the line.
I will mention (since I was curious about Ginobili and Parker as well) - MG's Ft attempts are at 6.2 per game this year versus a career 4.6 and Parker's FT attempts are at 4.8 this year versus a career 3.7. This is somewhat skewed for Manu because he is playing more minutes per game this year than he ever has at 31 minutes per game versus a career 28. Parker is at 34 per game this year versus a career 33.
The lack of FT attempts this year for Tim are a significant factor in the Spurs offensive woes at times this year. I know I have seen more times this year where the opponent will bump and grind on Tim enough to warrant a whistle, but they are allowed to knock the ball away or force TD to put up a forced shot. Not to mention the "and 1s" that should be called where shot goes in and the officials don't blow the whistle because the basket was made.
For Duncan's career totals prior to the 2007-2008 regular season, he averaged 7.5 FT Attempts per game.
In the 2007-2008 season, the FT attempts per game are 5.9, the worst since his rookie season in the league (5.8 in 97-98). David Robinson was still an outstanding player back then and the leading scorer on that team - he took a lot of shots (and potential FT attempts) back in those days.
Tim is playing 34-35 minutes per game - similar to the last two or three years.
Shot attempts for his career are 16.3 versus 15.5 this year - only 5% off from historical averages.
A 21% decline in FTs per game this year from career averages is a huge dropoff. It's not like Tim has had a huge reduction in minutes or shots from recent prior years (especially the last 2-3).
Is there any wonder why Tim is getting frustrated on a regular basis when he is getting a lot of contact at the basket and not getting the same opportunities to go to the line.
I will mention (since I was curious about Ginobili and Parker as well) - MG's Ft attempts are at 6.2 per game this year versus a career 4.6 and Parker's FT attempts are at 4.8 this year versus a career 3.7. This is somewhat skewed for Manu because he is playing more minutes per game this year than he ever has at 31 minutes per game versus a career 28. Parker is at 34 per game this year versus a career 33.
The lack of FT attempts this year for Tim are a significant factor in the Spurs offensive woes at times this year. I know I have seen more times this year where the opponent will bump and grind on Tim enough to warrant a whistle, but they are allowed to knock the ball away or force TD to put up a forced shot. Not to mention the "and 1s" that should be called where shot goes in and the officials don't blow the whistle because the basket was made.