Season Report--CBF Style--Mouse--

[Cant_Be_Faded]

Too much going on within the past two weeks I mostly missed out on.

Well let me say how I feel right here right now in this season because ain't to many posters expressing my sentiments already.



I have a horrible feeling that we are setting ourselves on a course to mirror the gity Dallas Mavericks of 2007.

Now I know all you will say that history points us to otherwise, that there were this or that reasons for the outcomes of 2007.

But with Memphis completely impaling the tonsils of Kobe tonight, I just cannot help but think this is the case.


Coming into this season, looking at the mileage of the Laker roster I knew they were in for some bumps, from a statistical and probability point of view. They were the only team I truly feared post Amare-Trade. But the Mavs got ing Chandler. And when they were 100%, quite honestly, I did agree with Charles Barkley. I did believe they were playing the best ball in Texas.

Now The Lakers are slumping (we been there) and the mavericks are hurt (we been there)

We have been on BOTH the other sides of the current NBA equation and managed to win an NBA Championship.

My major concern is that, like it or not, with every coming win the San Antonio Spurs are in uncharted territory. And how much a ing edge can a team have if we are cruising to victory over victory? When is CIA Pop going to kick in? Is he at all?

Popovich is the one thing about this entire season that is giving me my most solid foundation of hope.

Because if we keep schooling fools left and right, he's going to do something to bring us back down to earth. Popovich might have changed his sentiments on playing young players but he is still a very stubborn coach set in his ways. He is the main reason I'm not "worried worried"

But I cannot help but have the feeling that we're setting ourselves up for a dominant regular season and near-instant exit from the playoffs.

Look only at the season averages for offense and defense and that's a big part of it.


Out.

[mazerrackham]

I hear people talking all the time about how we're a bad defensive team this year, and while I'll agree that there is plenty of room for improvement, I feel like people look too much at opponent field goal percentage and think we're a horrible defensive team. The best stat that matters at the end of the day is points allowed per possession, and the Spurs are the 8th best team in the league in that category, ranking better than the Lakers, Indiana, Utah, Atlanta, etc, even though those teams allow a lower opponent shooting percentage. This is because this Spurs squad does a good job of defensive rebounding, keeping opponents off of the free throw line, and forcing turnovers. We may not be the same as past defenses, but we're still effective enough to get the job done. While I'd like to see the Spurs getting into the top five defensively, I'll take 8th for now with the league's best offense.

[ShoogarBear]

If LA or Boston were doing what the Spurs are doing now, there'd be nostop talk on ESPN about "Maybe Greatest Team Ever". But I understand your feeling, this is uncharted territory for Spur Fan. We're not sure how to act or deal with this kind of an early run.

Maybe that's even true to a lesser extent for the coaches. The Spurs have always used a SPAM-like run to tighten things up and build up their chemistry and confidence. But if they continue like this, it Pop will have his work cut out finding things to harp on to goose them up to the next level. The most exciting part is we all know that this team has the potential for being much better than they currently are playing.

In the end, the best thing the Spurs have going for them is that they have Three Guys who truly understand that the gaudy record is nice and everything, but means nothing unless they finish the job.

[Cant_Be_Faded]

If LA or Boston were doing what the Spurs are doing now, there'd be nostop talk on ESPN about "Maybe Greatest Team Ever". But I understand your feeling, this is uncharted territory for Spur Fan. We're not sure how to act or deal with this kind of an early run.

Maybe that's even true to a lesser extent for the coaches. The Spurs have always used a SPAM-like run to tighten things up and build up their chemistry and confidence. But if they continue like this, it Pop will have his work cut out finding things to harp on to goose them up to the next level. The most exciting part is we all know that this team has the potential for being much better than they currently are playing.

In the end, the best thing the Spurs have going for them is that they have Three Guys who truly understand that the gaudy record is nice and everything, but means nothing unless they finish the job.

Thank you Shoog, for replying and giving your take. Worthwhile read every time.

If you think about it, Phil Jackson is the only coach of this era who has a track record of dealing with "regular season domination" equalling a championship. Popovich is without a doubt number 2 behind Phil, but this is the one, singular regular season difficulty(?) that Pop has never faced nor conquered.
I am getting antsy and tempering my true feelings about how great we are, because these are completely uncharted waters.

This December was great. It was the most fun in the regular season as a Spurs Fan I have had since my stoned drunken brain will allow me to remember. But the big picture does not appear au ious to me. And I only say this because no one on this spurs forum is singing my tune thus far.

[ShoogarBear]

If you think about it, Phil Jackson is the only coach of this era who has a track record of dealing with "regular season domination" equalling a championship.

Doc Rivers, 2008.

[Cant_Be_Faded]

a-ha!
so it can be done..

[Blake]

If you think about it, Phil Jackson is the only coach of this era who has a track record of dealing with "regular season domination" equalling a championship.

how many championships have been won with regular season mediocrity?

maybe the mid 90s Rockets?

[Cant_Be_Faded]

how many championships have been won with regular season mediocrity?

maybe the mid 90s Rockets?

You not getting me brah. Not black and white. Domination is domination. Don't think that I am saying other Spurs championships were won following mediocre regular seasons...

[pawe]

I think being the number 1 team in the league is better because other teams tend to mark their calendar for the hot ones. The extra pressure, extra preparation and inspired play from other teams will toughen the Spurs specially the new guys.

And Im pretty sure the Spur vets almost always remind the others that regular season doesnt matter and they should look to prepare for the playoffs.

[thispego]

CBF, too worried. personally I'm so excited and confident about this team that i think the only thing stopping #5 would be an injury. knock on wood.

This team has the 2007 feel to it, they bowled through the regular season, in a slightly less impressive fashion, too. That team had its problems also but used their veteran savvy to roll through a pretty weak series of playoff opponents. A more scary comparison would be the 2006 team who also dominated the regular season, but then ran in to big problems in the playoffs; bonzi going jordan on us, then obviously the mavs and the refs. season over.

I feel like this team is more complete, though, and will find answers to their problems in the playoffs this time around.

[Cant_Be_Faded]

you preggo you're supposed to agree with me according to others on this site!!!

[thispego]

oh yeah, my bad, sorry i broke character

[jjktkk]

I think I get you CBF. Normally right now the Spurs are still struggling some what to find their rhythm, be it rotations, players injured, etc. The Spurs usually don't kick it into overdrive until after the rodeo trip. So far this year the Spurs are making it look too easy. The Spurs have never started out like this, and the offense has never been this explosive. I'm like most others though, and am just enjoying the ride.

[Quasar]

Small ball was probably a precursor to this year's offense. Pop's love for small ball definitely had a hand in the Spur's run-and-gun style!

Perhaps he realized that he would not be able to get another player to replace the Admiral and replicate the twin towers, thereby leading to the search for an alternative.

If you think about it from the perspective of the most suitable offense fitting the Spur's best players (Big3 + Jefferson & Hill), run-and-gun is bound to be one of the options. I've always imagined how productive Manu and Tony would have been had they been on the D-less Suns team.

With some hindsight now, taking the athletic decline of Tim, Bruce, and Manu into consideration, one can only conclude it was no longer possible for the Spurs to continue with their "48 mins of " style defense. Pop and Bufford probably recognized this earlier, thereby resulting in Bruce's trade. Perhaps it was a gamble on their end since they also realized RJ was not panning out and they hoped the faster pace would be the carrot for RJ's "secret" summer camp.

Back to the topic - after all these years of seeing the "48 mins of " Spurs, I also feel quite queasy hearing about their offensive production and hearing little about defense. Moreover, consider Solid D's thread mentionning how the Spur's opponents shoot the 3 better than the Spurs, despite the Spurs leading the league in 3pt percentage!

Nevertheless, if you go back to the previous "SPAM" years, then isn't it customary to complain about bad defense till March-April? With this in perspective, the only difference is that the Spurs have not lost early games due to a better offense, even if the defense is not there yet!

The Spurs teams of recent years were characterized by long offensive droughts; I feel this is finally cured in this year's version.

My hope for this year is that the new offense + SPAM + a generous dose of elite defense = '99 style domination for the

[trollt]

Does the 99 team count? The 6-8 start & shortened season make it different but they finished 31-5. Also, their magnificent run started on the first game of March so I may just be proving the OP's point.

Still, it was uncharted territory for them and they stayed grounded. My guess is the common links then and now are Pop, steely-eyed vets, and TD.

[itzsoweezee]

I hear people talking all the time about how we're a bad defensive team this year, and while I'll agree that there is plenty of room for improvement, I feel like people look too much at opponent field goal percentage and think we're a horrible defensive team. The best stat that matters at the end of the day is points allowed per possession, and the Spurs are the 8th best team in the league in that category, ranking better than the Lakers, Indiana, Utah, Atlanta, etc, even though those teams allow a lower opponent shooting percentage. This is because this Spurs squad does a good job of defensive rebounding, keeping opponents off of the free throw line, and forcing turnovers. We may not be the same as past defenses, but we're still effective enough to get the job done. While I'd like to see the Spurs getting into the top five defensively, I'll take 8th for now with the league's best offense.

Excellent points.

[carina_gino20]

The team sometimes reminds me of 05-06, where different guys were capable of stepping up and winning games any given night, but somehow didn't feel as 'together' as a team as other championship teams were.

It would be interesting to see how the guys deal with this ridiculous record. We're bound to hit a rough patch and what will matter is how the team comes out of it. The scary thing is if we keep on winning against good teams. What Would Pop Do?

[GinobiliForTres]

The team sometimes reminds me of 05-06, where different guys were capable of stepping up and winning games any given night, but somehow didn't feel as 'together' as a team as other championship teams were.

It would be interesting to see how the guys deal with this ridiculous record. We're bound to hit a rough patch and what will matter is how the team comes out of it. The scary thing is if we keep on winning against good teams. What Would Pop Do?

i'm interested to see if the Spurs can continue their post-ASB dominance. if they start like this and we know their potential, will it show after the ASB when they normally kick it up a notch?

[EricB]

I think worrying about Dallas getting it back together hinges on how bad Caron Butler's injury is...

Understand your concern about being Dallas 07, but the difference is, the team's franchise player isn't gonna shrink up come playoff time, nor will the second and third scoring options.

[Bruno]

I don't buy the idea that a too good record doesn't allow Pop to toughen up the team because he doesn't need a loss to call out his players.

Few days ago, after the win against Dallas, Pop wasn't pleased at all with the game even if Spurs won it. He surely had some "kind" words for his players. When you see the next game against Thunder, the players have obviously heard what he has said.

There is a reason to be worried but it's not Spurs turning into a lazy y team. Pop is a too good coach and Duncan, Ginobili and Parker are too experienced to let it happen. What is truly worrisome is Spurs defense.

[GinobiliForTres]

I don't buy the idea that a too good record doesn't allow Pop to toughen up the team because he doesn't need a loss to call out his players.

Few days ago, after the win against Dallas, Pop wasn't pleased at all with the game even if Spurs won it. He surely had some "kind" words for his players. When you see the next game against Thunder, the players have obviously heard what he has said.

There is a reason to be worried but it's not Spurs turning into a lazy y team. Pop is a too good coach and Duncan, Ginobili and Parker are too experienced to let it happen. What is truly worrisome is Spurs defense.

so, do you think this 4-game stretch of tight defense is just a fluke for right now? serious question.

[Blake]

You not getting me brah. Not black and white. Domination is domination.

It's not black and white, but domination is domination.

No, I don't get you.

[Bruno]

so, do you think this 4-game stretch of tight defense is just a fluke for right now? serious question.

Wizards were a D-League team and Spurs' D wasn't that good against the Dirkless Mavs, so it's just 2 great defensive games. It's a too small sample to draw conclusions. We will see if the trend continue.

[silverblk mystix]

I see this season as a refreshing change all-around.

Freer offense...a commitment to winning early... a better conditioned team to start the season...no int'l play for TP & Manu...a bench with balls...

No Bogans...No RMJ... an improved and gutsier Bonner---SO FAR...

These games that the spurs are NOT throwing away or worse--- playing with a lackadaisical at ude (wait til the playoffs) ... are ACTUALLY helping to make this team TOUGHER....

Instead of waiting to be tested until april-may...they are being tested now and will be even closer and tougher in april-may...by being forced to play tougher the whole season ...

All these things add up to a formidable team on a mission...Gotta stay confident and not over-think what could go wrong...what perilous dangers lie ahead,etc...

Not overconfident but ...it is nice to regain some swagger that was missing in the last 3-4 years...

Just enjoy the ride and hope the team can weather ANYTHING.

[Dice]

I feel like this team is still in the process of coming together, especially on defense. So I'm not worried about them come Playoff time. They're not over achieving, they're doing better than what it seems like they should because of some of the in game lapses us guys watching all the games see now and then.

The wins have been a product of:

A. Parker being somewhat head of the offense when the starting 5 is on the floor. The up tempo style only adds to his already great game and gives him that much more opportunity to score. Teams that know he's looking to penetrate still can't stop him because they don't have time to set up defensively. The only way I've seen teams disrupt him on the break has been by packing the lane with guys trying to take a charge. And that only works every now and then.

B. Guys like Richard Jefferson, George Hill, Gary Neal, and Blair all stepping up their overall game. Even Bonner has looked pretty good in these regular season games. All of these guys, on the nights when they have an "average performance", are playing a level or two above their average performance of last year (Neal being the exception).

C. Defensive rotations are better than they were last year. Not WAY better (if it was way better they'd be looking ridiculously good) but still better.

D. Tim Duncan. Some nights he's quiet but the rest of the time he takes over for stretches and looks like his old dominant self. His help D has been GREAT in my opinion. He anchors the D pretty well for the starting 5.

E. (Homer reason) McDyess coming off the bench has been a great subs ute for Tim as far an anchoring the D for the second or small ball units. He's not a huge body clogging the lane and he's not a massive shot blocker-but he does it when it counts. There have been at least 2 different games this season where the opposing team has set a screen at the perimeter and had a one on one with Dice and both times he's blocked the shot. Both times it was for the game. He does a decent enough job that the Spurs aren't getting dominated in the paint when Duncan is out of the game. And forgive me if I sound like a super homer here, but in any game that Dice has come in and played well during his stretch in the game, the Spurs almost always go on a run.

G. nobili. When you absolutely must have a basket at the end of the game, this guy almost always delivers.


So there you go. A high scoring players who breaks defenses down, a dominant PF/C who can score and holds down the D, contributing players around them who are more than just "role players", a much better than average second unit, and a perfect closer. Add to that decent defense and a deep bench that allows Pop to rotate in a good mix of starters and role players and you're not killing your starters.


This team will go deep into the playoffs and only lose to a more complete team that can play lock down defense.