Pop and Tim Duncan have had some interesting quotes lately that allow us to hear their updated view of Spurs Basketball. As we all know, the Spurs of yesteryear relied on an elite defense and a precision offense to win ballgames and championships. These days, San Antonio mostly wins with its offense, while their defense is average at best.
Although it's become obvious that Pop no longer stresses defense nearly as much anymore, we hadn't really ever heard it out of the horses' mouths.
First, here's a paraphrase of what Duncan said after the Suns game: "In today's NBA, you can't just count on holding the other team to under 80 points -- you have to be able to score. And we think we can do that."
Here's the actual quote from Pop after tonight's game against the Kings: "We spend more time on offense these days because our defense won't be as good as it used to be in the past -- it just won't. So we gotta pick it up somewhere."
This shouldn't come as a shocking revelation to any Spurs fans but it is notable that the Spurs have officially changed their focus as a team. I have some questions that I'm still debating in my own head and I'm interested in the opinions of the citizens of SpursTalk.
1. Do you believe that the Spurs still have the tools to become an elite defensive team? For example, are their lineups and a rotation that could be used to enable the team to play the previous style of defense-first Spurs Basketball?
2. Do you agree with Pop's decision to focus more on offense?
3. Hypothetically, can a team that is great offensively but average defensively win an NBA championship?
4. Can today's Spurs team win a championship with an offense-first mentality?
Thank you in advance for your time.
Last edited by timvp; 03-29-2012 at 12:18 AM.
1. Yes, with the addition of Diaw, Mills, and Sjax, I see some signs.
2. tbh, No. Because we have guys who can make plays on their own and who has high bball IQ's, why not improve the defense too at the same time having a great defense?
3. I think you meant defensively, well, I think, their's a chance, especially with a jumbled west top 8, no one clearly has an advantage over the other.
4. Of course they can! But it doesn't mean that they don't improve their D too, right?
It could be done. It's all about matchups in the NBA playoffs. And I also think they have the tools to become a solid defensive team. They may not impose their defensive will on opponents but with thier high basketball IQ I believe they can make smarter plays than 90% of the teams in the league.
We are a middle of the pack defense with a top 5 offense, it levels out perfectly therefor we will be fine and we are legit contenders unlike last year.
making blair a 5 big not a starter will pick up the d
1. Elite? No. Good, sure
2. Yes. We just don't have the personnel anymore
3. Yes
4. Yes
In a way, Pop and Tim are right. It might not be something us hardcore Spurs fans want to hear, but it's the truth. We all have to face that these Spurs arent going to be as great defensively as the Championship year Spurs. Those teams had a prime Duncan in 03' and semi-prime in 05'. A prime Manu in 05'. A prime Parker in 07'. A prime Bowen in every championship year. D-Rob anchoring the defense in 99' and 03'. Guys like Horry, Barry, etc...We have the tools to be an above-average defensive team if Pop plays his cards right. With guys like Manu, Jax, Leonard, Duncan, Diaw, and Splitter, they can be very good, but great...I'm not so sure. We also have to take into account that the NBA is an uptempo offensive league now, with more high-octane offensive teams and scorers like Durant, Westbrook, Wade, LeBron, Kobe, etc. It's a perimeter/guards offensive league now.....
1-Maybe. A Tony-Manu-Leonard-Diaw-Duncan line-up with Green-Jackson-Splitter coming up the bench should be at least above average on the defensive end.
2- I would like him to emphasize defense more. I certainly didn't like this last comment.
3- I should have to see it first to believe it. Even 'till today the best defensive teams are the ones that win the championships.
4- It's a long, long shot.
I don't think such thing as an "elite defensive team" exists any longer. There are too many athletes which can create enough space to drain shots with little room and a hand in their face. Rule changes in the NBA have facilitated this. "Lockdown defense" these days means not fouling excessively and getting a hand up in every shot. Dudes just make more shots than they used to.
Yes. There's no other way to win.
Assuming you meant average defensively, yes. But breaking every hypothetical into "offense vs. defense" is not the right paradigm. The correct paradigm is, "can I match up better than what the other guy has on the floor between timeouts". I predict that Pop sets a new precedent this year by winning the 'chip by running a combination of players out there from a deep bench. I don't think that's been done before, to have 10-12 guys all play a key role in a 'chip. I think we do it this year.
No doubt about it we can. This isn't hockey or soccer. Numbers or offense/defense mindsets aren't the proper way to predict the outcome of the season. Intangibles win rings, and we got everything working for us.
1. No, they don't have the personnel..they can peak as an above average D..
Duncan is a good defender, but no longer elite..he's a liability in the pick and roll..
Blair is one of the worst defensive bigs in NBA history, Bonner is average, Splitter is too injury prone, and Diaw is new to the team..
On the perimeter, the Spurs don't have any great defenders..Leonard and Jackson are above average, the rest are either average or worse..
2. Yes and no..I understand the idea to focus on offense, but not to the extent that Pop has reached..it's still possible to focus on offense, while playing guys like Splitter over Bonner/Blair and potentially improving the D..
3. Usually, no..in a season without any elite teams and a shortened schedule, yes..
4. Yes, see #3..
When I watch Kawhi and Green, I can't help but to feel the future is bright on those fronts.
Only to an extent, I like how they have been clamping down in the 4th quarter in these last 2 games. Shows me that defense still matters, more so when it is needed instead of the entire 48 minutes.
Only if you sacrifice some time to commit back to defense. Even some of the run and gun teams of old play defense in spurts now.
We shall all patiently wait and see.
Another thing to think about is that the West doesnt have a GREAT defensive team. Sure the Lakers have two 7-footers, but even they arent a juggenaut on D. The West's number 1 team-Thunder give up points in bunches. Look at scores around the league 95+ almost every night...
1. Do you believe that the Spurs still have the tools to become an elite defensive team? For example, are their lineups and a rotation that could be used to enable the team to play the previous style of defense-first Spurs Basketball?
In a word, no. And I'm not sure the officiating would allow a team to play defense the way the Spurs once did. That's not conspiracy theory, I just think it's a strategic move to encourage a different style of play. No more sinister than adopting the 3P shot.
2. Do you agree with Pop's decision to focus more on offense?
I don't think he has a choice. Some of it is determined by personnel. I don't think you can have a really elite defensive team without the patience of older players. This team has a lot of young (and young-ish) players. More importantly, this team depends on those young players. I think Pop is smart to make some adjustments to reflect the parts he has to work with.
3. Hypothetically, can a team that is great offensively but average defensively win an NBA championship?
The Spurs are showing signs of being able to step up the defense for stretches. I think that might be enough. Especially if the offense doesn't totally live-or-die by the 3P shot. That high-variance play is a killer in the playoffs. The recent moves are showing me that they are no longer going to have to be an outside-in offense.
4. Can today's Spurs team win a championship with an offense-first mentality?
I don't think so. They're going to have to think more balanced than that. In fact, they have so much offensive firepower, they still might be best off to think defense first, even if they aren't great at it.
No Yes No No
Where are the damn game grades?
Not even close. Blair is statistically an above average defender.
1) We lack the tools of a complete set. We have good defenders, but to maximise value, can't play all at the same time(Net Value of Changing combination from Blair/Duncan and Splitter/Bonner to Splitter/Duncan and Blair/Bonner is negative.) Good changes from end of the season, I know RC mentioned a need for more positional size(By which, I think he meant getting bigger at SG and SF) which they've done wonders on.
2) Probably the right decision. Marginal value of the practice time probably dictates spending more time on offense. I might change the distribution a bit towards defense, but an offensive orientation is sensible in the practice games. I wish the bigs were better defensively, but they did the best with the opportunities available(Blair, Splitter were obvious picks)
3) Definitely. Defense is more consistent game to game, and a more stable variable in quality over time. It's far better to be really good at both though. No real reason to prefer a 80-75 win over a 110-100 win though.
4) We can win. Efficient offense + Winning Possession battle(the Main Reason Kawhi is a beast) means we can win with a meh defense. We're not a lock, or the favorite, but we are in the elite group.
Balance.
ElNoNoNoNo
No
No
Yes
Maybe
I'm rewatching the game. It'll be a few hours. Don't wait up, tbh.
1. Elite? Not on a consistent basis. Top 10? Yes, and they're beginning to show the ability.
2. As much as I loathe to admit it, yes. He still stresses defense, but if the offense is able to carry the team too, then it all balances out.
3. I'm not too sure. It hasn't been done before, but there's a first for everything.
4. As long as they have the ability to play tough defense when needed, possibly. I think the Spurs have a good chance this year, but only because of how weak the West is. If they make the Finals they'll win it (as long as a core piece isn't injured to the point of being ineffective).
Bonner- A++++++ Best game he's had in years!
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