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Pretty good read this.
An Early Assessment of Team Defense
By Timothy Varner
Through five games, the San Antonio Spurs are consistently getting beat on the boards. They currently rank 25th out of 30 teams in rebound rate. The Spurs are the 18th worst offensive rebounding team in the league; they’re ranked 27th in defensive rebounding rate. In terms of raw numbers, San Antonio is losing on the boards to the tune 195-211. That’s not entirely lopsided, but it’s an early trend which the Spurs must reverse.
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Last edited by Blackjack; 11-09-2009 at 05:46 PM.
Pretty good read this.
I can't remember the last time I've read a piece that expressed as much of the same concerns and wishes I've had for the Spurs
On one hand, I feel validated.
On the other, I feel completely inadequate after how much better this piece was at voicing those said concerns and wishes; well done, Tim. Well done.
A very well-written and interesting article. Thank you very much for that.
25th place out of 30 teams on total rebound rate!?! ick! There are some lousy lottery teams beating us there. Thats not cool at all!
Great article by Tim and 48Moh. Perhaps the best article they have written IMO.
Ineresting, because Duncan and Blair are the top two rebounders in the NBA right now, based on total rebound rate.
They only total 47.6mpg between them.
Meaning 31 minutes of the 4/5 position are either Bonner's or small ball. ( Which could be a main reason why are rebounding is pathetic so far out of the gate).
This. I do disagree with the notion that Blair is a defensive upgrade to Bonner though. To me they're equally deficient with Blair more susceptible to getting caught cheating than Bonner. For all of the Bonner hate, he's done some solid work thus far.
defense has been very very very average
You've left out Dice and Theo.
Minutes to date:
Tim 145
Bonner 100
Blair 93
Dice 69
Theo 31
Small 42
I was taking into consideration McDyess' 17 mpg avg.
Blair and Duncan combine to avg. 47.6.
Meaning there's 31 mpg left for the PF/C spot.
Didn't really take into account Ratliff's minutes because they have been more mop up minutes if anything.
Regardless it's hard to be patient. McDyess or Ratliff won't get heavy minutes so early in this marathon, which leaves us with one of the worst rebounders at the PF position in Bonner and a rookie who has trouble in his defensive rotations and defending the rim.
Therefore the two players we have to rely on the most outside of Duncan, don't have the physical or mental capacity to shore up the interior defense woes.
It would be nice if this team can attain a defensive player in the frontcourt that could be relied on heavily throughout the whole year, not just May and June.
Excellent read. Echoed sentiments of many here at ST.
Obviously, Bogans is a better fit as a starter than Finley, but only slightly. I do agree that Pop should find minutes for Hairston because he possesses the best combination of skill that the Spurs need at that spot. Personally, I believe Pop should find minutes for him now, then insert him as a starter. Take a gamble. What the does Pop have to lose? They're losing games and being exploited anyway.
As for the PF situation, since it's obvious to us all the Spurs are struggling - again - in the rebounding department, Pop should find more minutes for Blair.
I also agree that Finley and Bonner should be limited to specialist-type minutes, seeing as how both are simply one-trick ponies.
In a perfect world, Malik would get Finley's minutes and Finley would get Malik's seat behind the bench.
Duncan is out for tonight's game; Ian or Haislip, what do you think?
where did you hear this?
Oh the deliciousness of that thought.
Pop is a stubborn ol' cuss. He should just bite the bullet and give it a try.
how ironic! a team that has focused of defense for years is currently one of the worst in that category.
Great article.
I think it was a good suggestion that if you want to save Theo for the Playoffs, then why not give Haislip or Mahinmi a chance in garbage time?
On the other hand, obviously you don't know in advanve if there is going to be any garbage time. And right now, Pop doesn't seem to trust Haislip or Mahinmi enough to suit up instead of Ratliff.
Pop seems like he is in his own world. He sees different things at practice, to what we fans see on the floor.
I wont be holding my breath.
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