Defensive Precedence: Stephen Jackson and Boris Diaw

[TDMVPDPOY]

You called Tim Duncan a scrub early in the season. Care to explain that?

only i can judge who or what he is....to be or not to be

[ChumpDumper]

Getting rid of that albatross Jefferson had to be done one way or the other. Credit the F.O. for finally getting it done and correcting their original "mistake". A huge weight was lifted off its shoulders. Now the team is riding an emotional high right now but eventually it will come back down to earth. Pop needs to figure out a steady rotation so the existing guys can build chemistry with the new guys. He can't keep relying on individual talent alone to win games. If he continues to the helter skelter approach I'm afraid as playoff time approaches the spurs are going look up in their rear view and see a number of teams gaining fast.

So you have no idea why players were rested this weekend?

[Mr. Body]

Jackson's quote on Diaw is really on point - and this is a great thread.

Jackson and Diaw are both players who understand basketball. Diaw perhaps more than Jack, but really they're both quite smart players. I'm not convinced, for his basketball talents, Jefferson is really a natural for the game.

Implicitly these two guys understand spacing, understand defensive angles, and have good instincts for getting their hands into places for disruption. I can't remember a mid-season change quite as impactful as this one stands to be - perhaps the Malik Rose/Nazr Mohammed trade.

[timvp]

Just because it fits the agenda of this thread: Jackson and Diaw were on the court together for 16 minutes against the Sixers. During those 16 minutes, the Sixers scored only 18 points -- or 54 points per 48 minutes.








P.S.

Obviously super small sample sizes but the Spurs have allowed 88.8 points per 48 minutes with Jackson on the court so far, and 65.7 points per 48 minutes with Diaw on the court. And 59.6 points per 48 minutes with both on the court.

[silverblackfan]

Just because it fits the agenda of this thread: Jackson and Diaw were on the court together for 16 minutes against the Sixers. During those 16 minutes, the Sixers scored only 18 points -- or 54 points per 48 minutes.








P.S.

Obviously super small sample sizes but the Spurs have allowed 88.8 points per 48 minutes with Jackson on the court so far, and 65.7 points per 48 minutes with Diaw on the court. And 59.6 points per 48 minutes with both on the court.

I love how you continue to pull out stats that seem to back up what us rabid fans seem to notice in the games. The effect of Jackson and Diaw on the court in just plain defensive at ude is noticeable. Throw in KL and Tim on the floor at the same time and you have one tough team to score on.

[Phenomanul]

I love how you continue to pull out stats that seem to back up what us rabid fans seem to notice in the games. The effect of Jackson and Diaw on the court in just plain defensive at ude is noticeable. Throw in KL and Tim on the floor at the same time and you have one tough team to score on.

Don't forget that when motivated Parker is also a great defender...

[Richie]

Dammit is these kinds of threads that really make me believe we can win it.

It's the hope that kills you

[Maddog]

I'll be honest, but when the trade was made- I thought Jax for Jeff was a modest upgrade.
I still remember the TOs and 0 for nights in 03.
I've changed my mind. Jackson is a significant upgrade. First, when Jefferson's shot wasn't falling he was useless. Already I've seen Jackson create offense. And as mentioned in this thread his effort and physicality on defense is dramatically better than Jefferson.
Diaw while an undersized Big does well and when he switches has quick enough feet to stay with smalls. He is also deceptively "bigger". Good position and long arms (I've seen no wingspan measurements on him, but looks long).

[Solid D]

It would have been nice to have seen Iggy on the court working against them, but the team clearly had a focus on having active hands 1-5...from Parker and Dentmon through Blair, Bonner and Diaw.

[Whisky Dog]

It would have been nice to have seen Iggy on the court working against them, but the team clearly had a focus on having active hands 1-5...from Parker and Dentmon through Blair, Bonner and Diaw.

That's one thing that stood out, at one point the group on the floor was Leonard, Green, Jackson, Bonner, and maybe Diaw. With the exception of Bonner (who inexplicably had about 3 or 4 deflections last night) each of those guys on the court have very long arms and they were active in digging out the ball on penetration or on interior passes. We have some lineups now with guys who have the reach and ability to take the ball from you.

[Seventyniner]

I've thought for a while that Diaw will eventually start once he gets some chemistry developed with his teammates (other then Parker and Jackson). Diaw doesn't mind being the 5th option on offense and can defend 4s better than Blair.

A starting lineup of Parker/Ginobili/Leonard/Diaw/Duncan would be sick.

[Maddog]

Dammit is these kinds of threads that really make me believe we can win it.

It's the hope that kills you

Last year , even during the time when the Spurs had an incredible record, I remained skeptical, I thought it was a little to much like a Phoenix regular season.
This year I think they have a legitimate shot- they are not favorites by any stretch- but if things fall right- they have a shot.

[wut]

Getting rid of that albatross Jefferson had to be done one way or the other. Credit the F.O. for finally getting it done and correcting their original "mistake". A huge weight was lifted off its shoulders. Now the team is riding an emotional high right now but eventually it will come back down to earth. Pop needs to figure out a steady rotation so the existing guys can build chemistry with the new guys. He can't keep relying on individual talent alone to win games. If he continues to the helter skelter approach I'm afraid as playoff time approaches the spurs are going look up in their rear view and see a number of teams gaining fast.

I think this is true, however the defense is undeniably better with the current roster. To me Jax doesn't need much playing time to fit into the Spurs chemistry....he is like a mini-Manu (swiping for steals, running the break, full confidence in big games); on top of the fact that he knows the system and played with Duncan, Parker and Manu. I do believe he needs to work a little with Blair in order to learn pick-n-rolls with him. Diaw is another story when it comes to getting used to the Spurs system. It will not be easy for him....he will need playing time.

[spurs_fan_in_exile]

I remember thinking that Diaw was going to be a world class whipping boy for Larry Brown when he got shipped to the Bobcats. So far so good I guess. I wonder if Pop called Larry for any scouting info before they signed Boris or if Pop lost his number after the Jackie Butler fiasco.

[MB3//]

Our team has gone through a re-birth over the last week. You can really see the excitement, and I think that energy is carrying over to our defense.

It's going to be extremely tough for Pop to figure out the best rotations since he has so many options to toy with. Hopefully it will all come together before the playoffs.

This is definitely the most optimistic I've felt about the team in years.

[TJastal]

I've thought for a while that Diaw will eventually start once he gets some chemistry developed with his teammates (other then Parker and Jackson). Diaw doesn't mind being the 5th option on offense and can defend 4s better than Blair.

A starting lineup of Parker/Ginobili/Leonard/Diaw/Duncan would be sick.

Why do you guys keep insisting on bringing Manu back in the starting lineup? Do you not realize that will just limit the touches of Parker who is arguably having an MVP season? Not to mention leave Gary Neal and Patty Mills running the 2nd unit. Do you not enjoy watching Manu make all those incredible passes to Tiago for dunks/layins/etc?

[TJastal]

So you have no idea why players were rested this weekend?

We got a scant 19 games left for Pop to bring the team together, so all I'm saying is he better get a plan together of what's going on, and quickly. He doesn't have the luxury of another half a season to dink around like a kid with his new erector set.

[DesignatedT]

You called Tim Duncan a scrub early in the season. Care to explain that?

There were many on this board calling Duncan done and saying it's now Splitters paint.

Stupid stupid but won't admit it.

[TJastal]

I think this is true, however the defense is undeniably better with the current roster. To me Jax doesn't need much playing time to fit into the Spurs chemistry....he is like a mini-Manu (swiping for steals, running the break, full confidence in big games); on top of the fact that he knows the system and played with Duncan, Parker and Manu. I do believe he needs to work a little with Blair in order to learn pick-n-rolls with him. Diaw is another story when it comes to getting used to the Spurs system. It will not be easy for him....he will need playing time.

I think the team is just riding a wave of emotion at the moment. We'll see over the next few weeks if the spurs can continue to hold teams under 90 points, then I'll be willing to concede the point.

[Redshadows]

Just because it fits the agenda of this thread: Jackson and Diaw were on the court together for 16 minutes against the Sixers. During those 16 minutes, the Sixers scored only 18 points -- or 54 points per 48 minutes.








P.S.

Obviously super small sample sizes but the Spurs have allowed 88.8 points per 48 minutes with Jackson on the court so far, and 65.7 points per 48 minutes with Diaw on the court. And 59.6 points per 48 minutes with both on the court.

I will wait and see what they two can do against the Lakers and the Grizzlies.

[Dr. John R. Brinkley]

It's an encouraging development. I'm very interested to see how advance metrics show the play of Duncan and Diaw (D n D) together.

[Fabbs]

..... coached by Larry Brown, .... And when it comes to playing for a demanding defensive coach, Larry Brown is the ultimate.

these two ex-Bobcats end up teaching the current players a thing or two about defense.

What a refreshing change.

At least some teaching may take place now.

[Obstructed_View]

There were many on this board calling Duncan done and saying it's now Splitters paint.

Stupid stupid but won't admit it.

Duncan's playing better this year than he has in the last several. Those that were sure he was capable of this kind of resurgence were likely just hopeful.

[Obstructed_View]

I think the team is just riding a wave of emotion at the moment. We'll see over the next few weeks if the spurs can continue to hold teams under 90 points, then I'll be willing to concede the point.

How many threads are you going to say the same thing over and over and over? Maybe you could find an NFL thread to post this in as well.

[benefactor]

How many threads are you going to say the same thing over and over and over? Maybe you could find an NFL thread to post this in as well.

Brain damaged people tend to just repeat phrases. Tragic, tbh.