McDonald: Spurs become too charitable with ball

[duncan228]

Spurs become too charitable with ball
Jeff McDonald

LOS ANGELES — In the aftermath of the Spurs' 104-85 victory over Charlotte on Friday, a mistake-plagued effort spectacular in its sloppiness, guard Manu Ginobili asked a question to which he really didn't want an answer.

“How many turnovers did we have?” Ginobili said.

Having been in the building for what amounted to a 48-minute game of hot potato, one in which more than one of his teammates fired a ball into the bleachers, Ginobili knew the answer would not be good. Apprised of the actual number — a season-high 28 — Ginobili cringed as if he'd just strained another groin.

“That's unacceptable if we want to have a good season,” he said.

This month has rung in a season of giving for the Spurs, who over the past two weeks have been handing the ball away as willingly as spare change to a Salvation Army Santa.

In the past six games, they've committed 110 turnovers, making them the most generous team in the league over that span and suggesting that, perhaps, the Spurs are taking this holiday spirit thing a bit too far.

The Spurs survived their own epic carelessness to beat Charlotte, in part because the Bobcats coughed up 20 turnovers themselves.

“The past few teams we've played, that's kind of their specialty, getting their hands in there and stripping the ball,” forward Tim Duncan said. “We're doing a good job of getting by people, but it's that second or third guy that is getting us.”

Ball security is certain to be a topic of conversation as the Spurs hit the road for three games, beginning tonight against the Los Angeles Clippers.

The recent turnover scourge has been out of character for the Spurs, who have typically been one of the most Scrooge-like teams in the league when it comes to monopolizing the ball. After their six-game Great Giveaway, the Spurs rank 16th in the league, giving up 14.8 turnovers per game.

Point guard Tony Parker, who committed 26 turnovers during that stretch, got one of his seven against Charlotte by sailing the ball over the head of Keith Bogans and into the eighth row of the not-so-cheap seats.

At home, an abundance of turnovers might serve a fan-friendly promotional purpose (“Come to a game, catch a pass from an NBA player!”). On the road, where each mistake seems magnified, it can often prove fatal.

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich has discovered an X's-and-O's explanation for his team's recent rash of outsized charity. It all comes down to floor spacing.

“If the floor is spaced well and everyone knows where to be, there's a lot less chance of a turnover,” Popovich said. “If you have some confusion and people are not spaced, you tend to end up in crowds.

“In general, I think we've had too many players playing in a crowd, trying to make great plays when the easy play is available and wouldn't result in a turnover.”

Yet there is equal danger in going the other way. If a team becomes overly fearful of turnovers, it could cause players to swing too far to the opposite extreme, from recklessness to reticence.

Duncan, for instance, took one of his three turnovers against Charlotte trying to thread a pass to Ginobili on a baseline cut to the hoop. That pass has produced scores of baskets for the Spurs over the years. On this occasion, Ginobili's defender — Gerald Wallace — happened to diagnose the play in time for the interception.

For the Spurs, the aim is to cease being the gift that keeps on giving, without giving up their aggressiveness.

“You have to continue to push, and that's what we've been doing,” Duncan said. “We've been pushing through turnovers and, unfortunately, making more of them. But you have to stay aggressive. If you don't, the other team wins that battle.”

[Blackjack]

“If the floor is spaced well and everyone knows where to be, there's a lot less chance of a turnover,” Popovich said. “If you have some confusion and people are not spaced, you tend to end up in crowds.

“In general, I think we've had too many players playing in a crowd, trying to make great plays when the easy play is available and wouldn't result in a turnover.”

Sometimes, it really is that simple.

“You have to continue to push, and that's what we've been doing,” Duncan said. “We've been pushing through turnovers and, unfortunately, making more of them. But you have to stay aggressive. If you don't, the other team wins that battle.”

And this is just as true.

You can't let the fear of the turnover be the driving force; playing not to lose only prevents you from winning.

Once the guys all know exactly where each individual needs to be, and where not to be in relation, the turnovers will become fewer and farther between because the congestion will give way to spacing; those timing and lower percentage passes will find their mark more often when the teammate isn't needlessly bringing his defender into the picture..

[crc21209]

I've noticed that about half of their turnovers come off complete lazy passes to one another, cross court passes, passes that are TOO low, etc. The Spurs just have to be more patient as a team..

[024]

i view more turnovers as a sign spurs are actively trying to pass the ball. since they are a new team, a temporary increase of turnovers is expected. with this many offensive weapons, passing is a critical part of success. as they get used to each other, the turnovers will go down and the spurs will see an increase in points scored without the increase in turnovers. as long as the turnovers are off passes and not on one player pounding the rock, spurs will be fine.

[L.I.T]

Chemistry.

[ducks]

“If the floor is spaced well and everyone knows where to be, there's a lot less chance of a turnover,” Popovich said. “If you have some confusion and people are not spaced, you tend to end up in crowds.
tp knows where the players are suppose to be but they are not there

[EricB]

Good stuff there. Nice article

[CGD]

Passes need to be crisper even on plays that lead to scores too. For example, when swinging the ball around the perimeter to find the open corner shooter, at times there are costly 1-2 second delays (bobbles, etc.) at the receiving points.

While the result appear innocuous (especially when our bigs bail us out with a play deep into the shot clock), the effect is that teams are able to recover on our shooters. With teams that are especially long, the room for error is even smaller.

[DPG21920]

“If the floor is spaced well and everyone knows where to be, there's a lot less chance of a turnover,” Popovich said. “If you have some confusion and people are not spaced, you tend to end up in crowds.
tp knows where the players are suppose to be but they are not there

“In general, I think we've had too many players playing in a crowd, trying to make great plays when the easy play is available and wouldn't result in a turnover.”

Does TP also know that he can't force things in a crowd of people?

[Josepatches_]

“In general, I think we've had too many players playing in a crowd, trying to make great plays when the easy play is available and wouldn't result in a turnover.”

Does TP also know that he can't force things in a crowd of people?

[z0sa]

Turnovers weren't a huge problem until the last 6 games (and the other night especially). Things have been just unprofessionally sloppy at times during that period. Let's hope it's just a symptom of them building chemistry (wanting to hook each other up or sneak passes through like it's practice), yet I'm not sure how long I expect it to last.

One area that could have bearing is Parker's adjustment. He could average 20/10 if he played truly great. The unanswered question is: is he truly an elite passer ie, ideally averaging <3.5 TOs with 9+ assists? He's obviously been a step slow this season but I'm confident in him. He's in his prime and didn't have the usual playoff intensity in May to even June - of course I know about all the NT crap, but that just can't be compared with the playoffs... besides the injury, which was just bull , but still, I'm confident in Parker.


So I think he will eventually find his legs again, though it may still be some time. One can only hope.