Random thoughts after track meet with the Rockets

Regarding Splitter, I think starting him is the right thing to do. And there might still be a way to get him enough minutes with the bench unit as well, e.g. by subbing in Diaw a bit earlier than it is usually done.

I agree with timvp that the Rockets have some nice pieces. I think Lin still needs to improve a lot, though. He is still basically a one-handed player, as he just doesn't seem to be able to finish with his left at a reasonable clip. He is even uncomfortable dribbling with his left hand.

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Originally Posted by spursmartyr

lol at even considering them

they're turrible, tbh

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By far the most random stat of the night, entering the game against houston and the lakers game against Portland the Lakers were 3rd in the NBA in total 3's down one 3ptr from the Spurs with Nash missing 25 games.

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Originally Posted by cd021

By far the most random stat of the night, entering the game against houston and the lakers game against Portland the Lakers were 3rd in the NBA in total 3's down one 3ptr from the Spurs with Nash missing 25 games.

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To date:

3pt attempts per game:

Lakers: 24.8
Spurs: 22.8

Why can't Splitter be a bit of both? Come off the bench and dominate, and then join the best unit to finish the game. Kinda like Ginobili did.

I hope Pop continues with the big starting line up. Let NDC and Manu figure out how they best play together and turn the bench back into the monster that it is. Tiago needs more time in the starting unit to get this defensive identity established. It will pay off later in the playoffs.
As long as the Spurs are winning, keep on doing it. Let the guys get into their new roles.

Once Neal gets back, DC's minutes will decrease. So its pretty irrelevant that he and Manu figure anything out.

I like timvp's random thoughts even better than his game thoughts because it lets him focus on what was most interesting instead of following a fixed form. He's a great writer!

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Originally Posted by doobs

Why can't Splitter be a bit of both? Come off the bench and dominate, and then join the best unit to finish the game. Kinda like Ginobili did.

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Good point. Pop might just mix and match with Splitter starting, or coming off the bench, depending on opposing team's matchups.

I know this is a somewhat loaded and/or complicated question, but...

For anyone here, do you see De Colo as more of a project player (who may or may not work out), or as a role player (who's ultimate role has yet to be defined)?

With Duncan/Splitter I've noticed that we always seem to get out to a great defensive start, then as soon as Diaw is subbed in for Splitter, the other team always makes a run. Then Splitter comes back in for Duncan and the other team makes a couple of subs and they cool off again. Kinda concerning against an opponent like OKC who won't be subbing anyone important during that sequence.

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Originally Posted by Bill_Brasky

With Duncan/Splitter I've noticed that we always seem to get out to a great defensive start, then as soon as Diaw is subbed in for Splitter, the other team always makes a run. Then Splitter comes back in for Duncan and the other team makes a couple of subs and they cool off again. Kinda concerning against an opponent like OKC who won't be subbing anyone important during that sequence.

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Diaw's defense was pretty good last year. Maybe he just needs to regain it and there shouldn't be that much dropoff.

The Splitter/Duncan frontcourt is a dominant one. With it, Spurs are allowing 90.6 points per 48 minutes while scoring 105.9 points per 48 minutes.

For the current starting lineup of Parker/Green/Leonard/Splitter/Duncan, even if the sample size is very small, Spurs are scoring 98.9 points per 48 minutes while allowing a crazy low 73.5 points per 48 minutes.

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Originally Posted by Bill_Brasky

With Duncan/Splitter I've noticed that we always seem to get out to a great defensive start, then as soon as Diaw is subbed in for Splitter, the other team always makes a run. Then Splitter comes back in for Duncan and the other team makes a couple of subs and they cool off again. Kinda concerning against an opponent like OKC who won't be subbing anyone important during that sequence.

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When Ibaka is hitting, the Spurs haven't had an answer for him no matter who is next to TD. If it remains necessary to use Leonard to cover Durant I'm not sure the Spurs have what's needed to counter Ibaka and OKC's ability to play him, Durant and Westbrook for most of the game(youth, hmmpfh). That may have been Pop's purpose for giving Anderson one more shot, since he has enough size and physical tools to stay in Durant's face. It will be interesting to see if the FO thinks it necessary to pick up a front court body that can serve their needs, and in time to help the team this late season and playoffs.

I like Splitter starting next to Duncan but I think if Pop is committed to sticking with it the FO must make a move for a big. Against most teams playing even short stints with Diaw along side Bonner/Blair/or Sjax is just a disaster defensively and rebounding wise. The problem facing Spurs is can you get solid big without moving SJax? Somewhat on that note had there been any other news regarding Dice comeback attempt - VERY doubtful that he would be the answer for Spurs, but if he is healthy and in shape I could see him being more effective than Bonner/Blair for half a season in limited minutes

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Originally Posted by JRHernandez88

Yup, it's funny to me when thunder fans act like Martin for Harden won't change anything. Martin's a great scorer and has given us problems in the past but Harden is just a different animal.

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Seriously. They either flat out just don't have enough NBA-watching experience to know any better, or they're just playing it off like it doesn't matter so they can continue the arrogance of having gotten to the Finals. I don't see them making it back this time. They are worse than both the Spurs and the Clippers now. The Grizzlies could potentially handle them in the playoffs too.

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Originally Posted by Strategic

When Ibaka is hitting, the Spurs haven't had an answer for him no matter who is next to TD. If it remains necessary to use Leonard to cover Durant I'm not sure the Spurs have what's needed to counter Ibaka and OKC's ability to play him, Durant and Westbrook for most of the game(youth, hmmpfh). That may have been Pop's purpose for giving Anderson one more shot, since he has enough size and physical tools to stay in Durant's face. It will be interesting to see if the FO thinks it necessary to pick up a front court body that can serve their needs, and in time to help the team this late season and playoffs.

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Leonard or Jackson could defend him. Ibaka isn't good enough in the post to make the Spurs pay for playing them on him. The other of Leonard/Jackson can defend Durant. They both play him pretty well considering. Duncan can take Perkins easily on both ends of the court. And we all know the well-documented thrashing Parker gives Westbrook on both ends almost every time. Then it's Manu vs Martin. . .and I think we're better there too.

We match up better now than we did before imo. We just need to play a smaller/quicker lineup with Jack and Leonard at both forward spots.

Jack on Ibaka

I don't mind so much if Splitter doesn't start every game with Duncan. I'm beyond excited that they're finally allowed to be on the floor at the same time, since some of us have been talking about it since he was still in Europe. Having those guys getting minutes together just makes them better for a playoff run, and there's no downside to it.

Since Splitter has been starting and in previous trials, he has left the game about 6 mins +or- into the game. Diaw comes in and plays beside Duncan. When it is time for Duncan to go to the bench at the 2or 3 min mark, Splitter comes back and plays. Splitter is with the second unit at that time.

For me, I would like to see Bonner get about 4 to 6 mins a half. He will spread the floor and create a different look. When we get to the playoffs we are going to need our bigs to be rested. At that time, we can take Bonner out of the rotation and go with our best players. Even in the playoffs, our bench needs to be used more. When we get a lead in the playoffs, use the bench to keep the starters fresh. That is something we did not do last year. We lost to OKC because we did not have fresh legs in the last 4 games.

You can't use your bench to protect a lead when they can't hit shots and can't play defense.

great post timvp, I never realized this until now.

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Originally Posted by Bruno

The Splitter/Duncan frontcourt is a dominant one. With it, Spurs are allowing 90.6 points per 48 minutes while scoring 105.9 points per 48 minutes.

For the current starting lineup of Parker/Green/Leonard/Splitter/Duncan, even if the sample size is very small, Spurs are scoring 98.9 points per 48 minutes while allowing a crazy low 73.5 points per 48 minutes.

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The numbers are better than i expected

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Originally Posted by Mel_13

To date:

3pt attempts per game:

Lakers: 24.8
Spurs: 22.8

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at least we're more effiecent

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It sounds strange to say but I believe it's true: Harden is more difficult to gameplan for than either Kevin Durant or Russell Westbrook.

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I agree . . . but it doesn't sound strange in the case of Westbrook. I've been saying since last season that Harden is better and that they should have chose him over Westbrook. Partially due to how erratic and clueless Westbrook is, partially because of how much harder it is to find a high level SG than PG. If I were them, before free agency began, I'd have offered Westbrook for Lowry, Parsons and a swap of 1sts.

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Getting back to the Spurs... can a Nando De Colo and Manu Ginobili backcourt work? I don't like the early returns. De Colo is good as a creator but if you move him off the ball, he's pretty useless. Ginobili is always going to be the creator in that alignment so then De Colo turns into a spot-up shooter -- and that's not his game.

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I said the same thing a week or two ago. De Colo-Ginobili doesn't work. De Colo-Neal does, but that only happens if they trade Green, which I don't see happening. If Neal is dealt, look for Mills-Ginobili to be the way they go (despite the fact that De Colo has usurped Mills as the 12th man).

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In the first half, at times I was wondering if Stephen Jackson was done. He just looked like he could no longer move.

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But I thought they had two starting SF's?

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The Tiago Splitter conundrum: Is he better utilized as the PJ Brown of the starting unit or the Hakeem Olajuwon of the bench unit? I don't know. I've thought about it but I haven't come to a conclusion.

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He's probably best served where he is, because it means he get's a few extra minutes more than Diaw, which makes sense considering he's the fourth best player on this team and playing him 20 mpg is not enough. They're already (inevitably) going to ask him to take below market value (again) to re-sign. It'll be easier to sell him on doing so with an expanded role.

But whichever way it goes, it doesn't change the fact that they need a competent fourth big. A three big rotation only works if one can play 40 minutes.

Looking at Splitter's numbers as a starter with Duncan (not including the MIA game) . . .

If my quick math is right his FGA per 36 and his FG% is down, with rebounds down slightly (ORB down a good deal), but other categories go up while starting next to Duncan.

More steals, more blocks, less fouls, more assists, more FTA, fewer turnovers.

Splitter should start but also needs minutes with the second unit. For that to happen he'd need to continue to get at least 25 minutes a night. Sorta like Gasol was next to Bynum when he'd start as a passive big then be the go to center with the reserve unit.

As for NDC, it's gna be tough to find a spot for him when everyone is healthy. Starting unit with Green works fine. Neal/Manu are a good fit (similar to Mills-Manu but I trust Neal more in important stretches). That leaves NDC in the third unit, or "spark unit" next to mills and bonner. NDC needs to be the primary ball handler to thrive, and that won't happen with TP or Manu on the floor