THE SPURS OFFENSE, AND ITS PERMUTATIONS

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Originally Posted by Seventyniner

Aldridge is an above average defender and will play way more minutes than Splitter did last season

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Yes, this is the underrated variable. 35 minutes of Aldridge vs. 20 minutes of Splitter means you basically don't have to play a (now departed) Ayres or a Baynes. We saw how playing Baynes worked against the Clippers.

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fKtu6YoIxg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_MLRbJ4M-I

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpeIur9bv9o

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOaC9gx7VTM

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...lEbJ0OjQzcCWtt

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Originally Posted by Spurtacular

My big thing is can Aldridge anchor a defense (many say he's an average defender at best). Yea, he'll probably be okay in line-ups with Duncan because two trees often can make up for one another's deficiencies. But what happens when Aldridge is left to his own devices? When the Spurs made their big run in Game 5 of the 2014 Finals, it was Splitter, Diaw, Leonard, Ginobili and Mills on the court. It was Splitter coming over and making that block on Wade. Is Aldridge the kind of defender that can have that kind of impact in a Duncan-less line-up? I have serious doubts. Playing small with Aldridge as the big is likely to come with draw-backs.

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Well seeing that Aldridge is actually a good defender if one looks at his playoff series I don't think that will be too much of a difference in our defense. Keep in mind that his usage rate is probably going to come down as well which would mean he will be able to expend more energy on D. I also seem to remember reading somewhere that the small-ball lineups of the Blazers were pretty good defensivly as well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtNF...zcCWtt&index=2

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Originally Posted by dgspursforlife

Well seeing that Aldridge is actually a good defender if one looks at his playoff series I don't think that will be too much of a difference in our defense. Keep in mind that his usage rate is probably going to come down as well which would mean he will be able to expend more energy on D. I also seem to remember reading somewhere that the small-ball lineups of the Blazers were pretty good defensivly as well.

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nice point man

any current links?

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Originally Posted by dgspursforlife

Well seeing that Aldridge is actually a good defender if one looks at his playoff series I don't think that will be too much of a difference in our defense. Keep in mind that his usage rate is probably going to come down as well which would mean he will be able to expend more energy on D. I also seem to remember reading somewhere that the small-ball lineups of the Blazers were pretty good defensivly as well.

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Aldridge is not a good defender. He's never been a good defender (and by good I qualify it as above average).

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Originally Posted by Spurtacular

Aldridge is not a good defender. He's never been a good defender (and by good I qualify it as above average).

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And how exactly do you qualify an above-average defender? I mean he isn't a healthy Splitter on the defensive end but he is a good post defender and does hold people to 45% at the rim. The only real problem I see is in the PnR defense

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Originally Posted by dgspursforlife

And how exactly do you qualify an above-average defender? I mean he isn't a healthy Splitter on the defensive end but he is a good post defender and does hold people to 45% at the rim. The only real problem I see is in the PnR defense

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I look at his (limited) ability to block or alter shots, his (limited) ability to laterally move, his (ho-hum) ability to be tough in the post. His (lack of) ability to play passing lanes. His (lack of) ability to play in a defensive crouch. None of that is anything above average. If he has any strength it's his length, which would explain the stat you mention. But overall, he's a below average defender, imo.

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Originally Posted by Spurtacular

I look at his (limited) ability to block or alter shots, his (limited) ability to laterally move, his (ho-hum) ability to be tough in the post. His (lack of) ability to play passing lanes. His (lack of) ability to play in a defensive crouch. None of that is anything above average. If he has any strength it's his length, which would explain the stat you mention. But overall, he's a below average defender, imo.

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well 45% at the rim looks like decent ability to alter shots and he is a decent shot blocker (1.8 Bpg). He did that whilst playing a inferior densive system to ours and having a usage of 30%. Again I'm not trying to say he is a defensive beast but his perceived weakness on that end is vastly overblown.

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Originally Posted by dgspursforlife

well 45% at the rim looks like decent ability to alter shots and he is a decent shot blocker (1.8 Bpg). He did that whilst playing a inferior densive system to ours and having a usage of 30%. Again I'm not trying to say he is a defensive beast but his perceived weakness on that end is vastly overblown.

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1.8 BPG? Try 1.0 career, last year, and per 36 min last year and career. One year, LMA even had a whopping 0.6 blks per game.

Danny Green's 1.1 blocks per 36 min career average surpasses Aldridge's 1.0 blocks per 36 minute career average.

Let's just hope that LaMarcus and DWest integration into the Spurs offense shall be seamless.............

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Originally Posted by Spurtacular

1.8 BPG? Try 1.0 career, last year, and per 36 min last year and career. One year, LMA even had a whopping 0.6 blks per game.

Danny Green's 1.1 blocks per 36 min career average surpasses Aldridge's 1.0 blocks per 36 minute career average.

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I was using playoff stats since those were the only times he seemed to care about defense

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Originally Posted by dgspursforlife

I was using playoff stats since those were the only times he seemed to care about defense

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There's a significant spike in the playoffs...LMA has never passed the eye test as a great defensive player. I certainly hope I'm wrong.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pgxisy3yWqU