Defensive Precedence: Stephen Jackson and Boris Diaw

[buttsR4rebounding]

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.

While I think Bonner's defense is underrated a bit he was able to take advantage of the long arms of his teammates. Once balls start getting deflected by the on-ball defenders, passers instinctively will put more arc on the next pass to make sure it gets by his defender. That additional air time gives the intended reciever's defender additional time to react.

[Wild Cobra Kai]

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.

You really need to have your "My cute neighbor Sarah" moment...

[will_spurs]

Actually the best part this season was the lack of training camp: this way every player was on the same level (even those who joined during the season) and Pop couldn't use his "that wouldn't be fair to the other players/to the team" excuse.

[bklynspursfan]

I'd be willing to bet that a large portion of that is because of the first two weeks of the season when the Spurs played terribly and were blown out in virtually every road game they played.

Good point. But that's still pretty bad at this point. if they can be in the middle of the pack come playoff time I'd be pretty happy

[Horse]

They made dirk cry like a little .

[ace3g]

Paul Coro ‏ @paulcoro

Close

Diaw on returning to Phoenix as a Spur: "I hope they don't boo me. I still like them." ... and on Stern attending: "Irony."

Popovich on Diaw: "Boris has never been in shape. He won't agree with me but just trying to keep it real." Also lauded his hoop IQ, though.

[Mel_13]

Thus far, Stephen Jackson and Boris Diaw look to be rather large upgrades on the defensive end for the Spurs. While neither one has a reputation of being a great defender, here's something to consider: The 2009-10 Charlotte Bobcats, coached by Larry Brown, were the top defensive team in the NBA. Stephen Jackson and Boris Diaw averaged 39.3 minutes and 35.4 minutes on that Bobcats team, respectively.

You have to be doing something right on D to average that many minutes on the league's best defensive team. And when it comes to playing for a demanding defensive coach, Larry Brown is the ultimate. Perhaps we Spurs fans, who haven't seen an elite defense in town in a longer time than we'd like to admit, shouldn't be surprised if these two ex-Bobcats end up teaching the current players a thing or two about defense.

With all the focus on the Diaw history with Parker, most of us didn't notice the connections to Jackson and Brown. Add that to Diaw's very high BBIQ and you a get a late season addition that has a much higher probability of fitting in than someone like Drew Gooden.

[timvp]

Popovich on Diaw: "Boris has never been in shape. He won't agree with me but just trying to keep it real."

Not exactly true since Diaw was skinny while with the Hawks ... but at least it doesn't sound like Pop is going to hold being chubby against Diaw.


Edit:



Damn, that doesn't even look like the same person.

[Paranoid Pop]

Paul Coro ‏ @paulcoro

Close

Diaw on returning to Phoenix as a Spur: "I hope they don't boo me. I still like them." ... and on Stern attending: "Irony."

Popovich on Diaw: "Boris has never been in shape. He won't agree with me but just trying to keep it real." Also lauded his hoop IQ, though.

"in shape" Diaw > Lebron tbh, Pop is just starting to push his buttons so that he gets in shape by 2013, I'm pretty sure that the 2013 masterplan actually consists of rebuilding the team around him.

[mystargtr34]

"in shape" Diaw > Lebron tbh, Pop is just starting to push his buttons so that he gets in shape by 2013, I'm pretty sure that the 2013 masterplan actually consists of rebuilding the team around him.

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

Walton says the ing weirdest things.

[spursince#99]

Lmao wtf?

[slick'81]

yeah i can still remember a 6'8 200 pound diaw now pushing 230 for sure lol

[DAF86]

Not exactly true since Diaw was skinny while with the Hawks ... but at least it doesn't sound like Pop is going to hold being chubby against Diaw.


Edit:



Damn, that doesn't even look like the same person.

If he's going to play as a bigman I preffer for him to keep his extra weight.

[therealtruth]

Diaw is a poor man's Magic Johnson.

[Seventyniner]

Ahh, Bill Walton. Who else could manage to call NBA games while high? That's the only explanation I can think of for the things he says.

[Mel_13]

Ahh, Bill Walton. Who else could manage to call NBA games while high? That's the only explanation I can think of for the things he says.

With as much acid as he dropped, flashbacks probably accounted for most of his more creative moments.

[timvp]

Interesting stats concerning Diaw and the team's defense.

Before the San Antonio signed Diaw, they were allowing 96.8 points per game. In the last four games, the Spurs are allowing 97.7 points per 48 minutes while Diaw isn't in the game. But when Diaw has been on the court, the Spurs are allowing only 69.7 points per 48 minutes.

Now obviously the sample size is small but the early results of adding an above average bigman defender to the mix have been great. And while it seems like the Spurs defense has been better as a whole over the last four games, that's not actually the case. The truth is the Spurs have just really damn good when Diaw is on the court and the same as usual when Diaw has been on the bench.

These Diaw defensive numbers could be a fluke ... but at the very least Pop should take a closer look by giving Diaw a lot more minutes. The Spurs aren't going to hold teams to sub-70 but even if Diaw can help them lower their points allowed number to 92 or 93 points per game, that'd be huge.

[TE]

Interesting stats concerning Diaw and the team's defense.

Before the San Antonio signed Diaw, they were allowing 96.8 points per game. In the last four games, the Spurs are allowing 97.7 points per 48 minutes while Diaw isn't in the game. But when Diaw has been on the court, the Spurs are allowing only 69.7 points per 48 minutes.

Now obviously the sample size is small but the early results of adding an above average bigman defender to the mix have been great. And while it seems like the Spurs defense has been better as a whole over the last four games, that's not actually the case. The truth is the Spurs have just really damn good when Diaw is on the court and the same as usual when Diaw has been on the bench.

These Diaw defensive numbers could be a fluke ... but at the very least Pop should take a closer look by giving Diaw a lot more minutes. The Spurs aren't going to hold teams to sub-70 but even if Diaw can help them lower their points allowed number to 92 or 93 points per game, that'd be huge.

+1

I've noticed Diaw using his excess girth to his advantage. He doesn't get pushed around a lot in the post... He kinda reminds me of a more agile and versatile Kurt Thomas. Also, have you noticed how long his reach is? Dude has some long ass arms and that helps him strip the ball. He sure doesn't play above the rim, but he more than makes up for it with stellar solid play below it.

[Mel_13]

Interesting stats concerning Diaw and the team's defense.

Before the San Antonio signed Diaw, they were allowing 96.8 points per game. In the last four games, the Spurs are allowing 97.7 points per 48 minutes while Diaw isn't in the game. But when Diaw has been on the court, the Spurs are allowing only 69.7 points per 48 minutes.

Now obviously the sample size is small but the early results of adding an above average bigman defender to the mix have been great. And while it seems like the Spurs defense has been better as a whole over the last four games, that's not actually the case. The truth is the Spurs have just really damn good when Diaw is on the court and the same as usual when Diaw has been on the bench.

These Diaw defensive numbers could be a fluke ... but at the very least Pop should take a closer look by giving Diaw a lot more minutes. The Spurs aren't going to hold teams to sub-70 but even if Diaw can help them lower their points allowed number to 92 or 93 points per game, that'd be huge.

The Diaw/Bonner combo has been amazing. Diaw has played slightly more than half his minutes with Bonner.

With Bonner:
Pts scored per 48: 114.53
Pts allowed per 48: 67.44

With others:
Pts scored per 48: 86.63
Pts allowed per 48: 72.43

[Solid D]

There is no question the Spurs are better defensively when Boris is on the court. The bigger girth version of Diaw is a plus because he can now defend the post with leverage. That is something Boris could not do when he was.... well, when he was a French Josh Childress.

[Mel_13]

Sebastian Pruit on Diaw's offensive impact:

http://nbaplaybook.com/2012/03/28/bo...hidden-impact/

[therealtruth]

The Diaw/Bonner combo has been amazing. Diaw has played slightly more than half his minutes with Bonner.

With Bonner:
Pts scored per 48: 114.53
Pts allowed per 48: 67.44

With others:
Pts scored per 48: 86.63
Pts allowed per 48: 72.43

It seems similar to the Splitter-Bonner combo. Maybe this will help get Splitter in the starting lineup. Diaw can do his job with the second unit and the starting lineup gets better defense and more post offense and pick and roll ability. As good as Blair's early offense is Splitter can be even better, shoot a higher percentage, draw fouls and play defense.

[timvp]

Bump.







Before acquiring Jackson and Diaw, the Spurs allowed 102.3 points per 100 possessions. Since then, the Spurs have allowed 99.1 points per 100 possessions over a span of 16 games.

For the season, 99.1 is a better mark than any other team in the Western Conference.

[DBMethos]

Bobcat power