Even though their record currently has them in 10th place in the West, I believe the Spurs are much better than their record indicates. In fact, I believe they're a top 5 team in the West. Here's why.
First of all, their point differential of +0.9 is good for #5 in the West, ahead of four teams above them with a negative point differential and one other team with a positive but lower point differential.
And we all know that point differential is a better predictor of future performance than win-loss record. In fact, if go by point differential alone, the Spurs should be a 16-15 team right now.
Second, even that point differential is made to look lower than it should be because of that extended stretch in early November where Poeltl was out due to health and safety protocols.
During that time, the Spurs went 2-5. If we exclude those games, the Spurs would have a point differential of +2.1, which is equivalent to an 18-13 record. That would put the Spurs at #4 in the West.
In summary, the Spurs are better than their record indicates because of their high point differential and all the games Poeltl missed due to health and safety protocols. When fully healthy and at their best, the Spurs are a top 5 team in the West.
I'd like to agree with you but I can't. Poeltl may have been out but plenty of teams have had key players out because of the protocols. In fact, we've had less consequences from the protocol than most teams. You can make the argument that if you include that in the mix we may be slotted to high right now.
Even if we exclude the part about health and safety protocols, the Spurs' raw point differential is in the top 5 in the West.
HASP has really only been a thing in December. The Lakers had LeBron, Westchuck, and Carmelo. The Clippers had PG13. Utah had Gobert, Mitc , and Conley. , the only team we faced that was really short handed was Sacto, and we LOST.
Spurs really starting to gel. Gonna be scary by the end of the season.
IMO with a top 4 pick next year they will be.
Out of curiosity who do you believe is the 4th best team?
Spurs are definitely trending up. Players are developing and gaining confidence. Still inconsistent, as all teams are. But things are looking up. Only negative is that dream of a Top-3 draft pick is basically dead tbh.
Spurs are looking much better and now are a young team with a future. Still, need someone to emerge as a true star. I thought that'd be a future acquisition or just maybe Primo in about 2 years but hopefully a star is born sooner. Someone on the current roster go supernova please!!
They not top 5 yet and that’s a weak argument. But they are elite in a lot
of stats and are trending up in a lot of other categories. Also the schedule gets a lot easier by march. I think this team could get the 6th seed, but they would need to do a trade for a starting PF. They are definitely better than their position in the standings right now
If we go by point differential, right now, it would be Memphis.
So it’s a weak argument because the Spurs are a top 6 team in the West instead of top 5?
no, they aren't
OP proved me right without meaning to. even the if the spurs were the fifth best team in the west... who cares ?? that just means no high draft pick.
Collins is our pf
I think Pop has found his roster rotation which includes more of Jock and Diop, and less of Thad and Eubanks. I think they are a better team than what their record shows and should just get better. Currently they’re at 10. Are they better than TWolves? I think so. Mavs? Maybe. That puts Spurs at 8th?
I like how Jock spreads the floor and creates open shots for everyone. He is exactly what a modern NBA center should look like. You don't need to be athletic to shoot the three and interior defense is not as important as rebounding as everyone is chucking the three.
no it's a weak argument to say the Spurs are a top 5 team in the West cause of point differential. I made a list of all the team stats in another thread and they are top 10 in a lot of categories while only being in the bottom 3rd on 3PA FTA and FT%. I'm also not saying they are a top 6 team in the west, I'm saying they could be if they make a trade. I think they more like top 8 right now, but time will tell.
Spurs aren't a top6 team because there's no playoffs experience on the team.
And there's not a single player who can consistently deliver guaranteed 20+ points in the playoffs.
But the future is looking relatively bright. I'm just pessimistic about PATFO.
If an opportunity to acquire a top player presents itself, they most likely wouldn't pull the trigger, they care about picks way too much.
All of our young guys are good, but in the NBA it's almost always better to have one elite player than several good ones.
If it was up to me I'd look to cash in Derrick and Jakob.
Derrick because of his injury history and too many guards on the roster and Jakob because I don't think he'll get any better.
His current deal is amazing, but he'll surely ask for around 15 million per year for the extension and that's when his value drops.
Elite rim protector against penetration from the perimeter, but superstar bigs always cook him. Great rebounder and decent finisher, but he won't be able to stay on the floor in the playoffs if he keep shoting less than 50% from the line.
Not to mention that Spurs have the potential to be an elite offense if their starting big could stretch the floor.
I feel like competent GM would fleece a desperate contender in a Derrick+Jakob deal.
Last edited by LeBowen; 12-26-2021 at 11:25 AM.
I think every season has its ebb and flow, and that the Spurs are flowing right now while others are ebbing. Even so, I could see their making the playoffs. The Lakers, Clippers and Blazers are all dog . The Spurs don’t have any elite players (though DJM is getting close), but Pop has them playing their best.
Spurs need a legit PF before they can have even a chance of being a top 5 team in the West.
Last edited by daslicer; 12-26-2021 at 02:32 PM.
Like many have said, we need a legit 4 and we could be in the mix for a 4-5-6 seed. The West is soft after PHX, GSW and UT this season. As of right now, we'll likely end up between #7-10 if we stay relatively healthy.
Spurs have lost a bunch of games to bad teams. Very unlikely they are anything other than a 10 seed. But maybe they’ll get lucky with injuries/Covid
i dont buy it … spurs are better than 10th but not 5th …
Bbref has their expected record, based on Netrtg and SoS at 16-15, which would put us 6th right now.
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