Pop and TD on the evolution of Spurs Basketball

[therealtruth]

The game 5 was the only one played at slow pace favoured by the Spurs and that was because Diaw and Amare were suspended. In game 4 Horry hip checked Nash and Amare and Diaw stepped the court from the bench, which is an automatic 1 game suspension. I think that the Spurs could have won that series anyway, perhaps in 7 games.

But the point is that the Spurs wouldn't have survived that series if they weren't able to outscore the Suns. Against some matchups, they need great offense and perhaps this year they can force the opponents to play at their pace.

Bowen was very important to set the defensive style, Duncan was also playing better defense, he's past his prime. Right now it seems that Duncan and Splitter can't play well, because they aren't effective on offense.

The Spurs can improve on defense, with the new players. S-Jax, Diaw and Mills will probably help there.

If Blair and Duncan can coexist I don't see why Splitter and Duncan can't. At the least Splitter is a better Blair that can actually finish and play better defense.

[HarlemHeat37]

Tough to see many flaws in Chicago or Miami. The Bulls are 4th in offensive efficiency and 2nd in defensive efficiency. The Heat are 3rd in offensive efficiency and 4th in defensive efficiency. Either one would be more than a handful for us, especially if they have home court advantage. Winning a 'chip against either would be the most impressive accomplishment in Spurs history, imo, even more so than beating Detroit in '05.

While I don't believe the Spurs can beat either Chicago or Miami in a series, I completely disagree that neither team has evident flaws..I watch virtually every Heat game, btw, I'm not speaking without knowledge of their situation..

The Bulls offense has made a dramatic improvement from last year, probably attributed to chemistry, but they will face the same problem in this year's playoffs, as they did last year..their 2nd and 3rd options can't consistently create offense for themselves, in the playoffs, forcing an overreliance on Rose..

Miami's bench is very inconsistent, their bigs are still weak, and their coach is running Lebron into the ground..

Again, the typical ST bias against Bonner where you trust your lying eyes over all statistical evidence. Not only has he been one of the team's most consistent defenders all season long, but he's one of the best post-up defenders in the league. Bonner's biggest fault, besides his playoff history, is that he doesn't look the part (opposite of Leonard, basically). Like Billy Beane says, "Are we trying to sell jeans here or win games?"

He was benched against the Kings just to get rest, it had nothing to do about matchups. Bonner's specializes against interior scorers and his weakness is actually guarding people similar to him, guys who can space the floor and shoot threes. The Kings don't have stretch fours.

Bonner is currently rated as a premiere post defender, because he generally guards the inferior post players..if he went up against the same compe ion as Duncan, Splitter and Diaw(in the future), he would more than likely rank below average IMO..I'm not a Bonner hater, btw, I've defended him as much as most pro-Bonner posters here, and I certainly prefer him over Blair..

This is just an assumption, I'd have to look it up, but I'm fairly certain that Bonner's numbers are skewed, because opposing teams will generally iso/post his matchup against him, just out of principal, even when the opposing player isn't a standout iso or post player..I could be wrong, but I'd be interested in researching it, when I'm not on my phone..

He's still a playoff choker, and he's still at a physical disadvantage, when facing good post players..

[rascal]

Spurs basketball existed before both Pop and Duncan.

[Dr. John R. Brinkley]

Cotton ball!

[DMC]

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?

No, primarily because Tim Duncan cannot defend at that level and the team's defense is anchored by Tim.

2. Do you agree with Pop's decision to focus more on offense?

Of course. If anyone answers "No" to the first question, how can they think we shouldn't approach from the other side? Otherwise you are saying we are done.

3. Hypothetically, can a team that is great offensively but average defensively win an NBA championship?

If the stars align perfectly, sure.

4. Can today's Spurs team win a championship with an offense-first mentality?

No. Do they have an offense first mentality or do they have a better offensive than defense? We will never be as good offensively as the Suns were, and they were pretty damn close to the show one year, but no, the old adage "defense wins championships" is still true.

Thank you in advance for your time.

No problem.

[Obstructed_View]

If OV and Harlem are positive, then so am i about the spurs chances.

Dude, I always start out positive. , I was excited about Splitter starting next to Duncan from the day he was drafted.

[T Park]

Dude, I always start out positive. , I was excited about Splitter starting next to Duncan from the day he was drafted.

If you guys are down on a squad for a certain amount of time, it perks my ears.

You both being positive about the team confirms my su ions on the team..

I'm by far the least educated on the game, so before I c.onfirm an opinion I like to see what guys like you, timvp, solid D, and others say.

[TD 21]

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?

Not a chance, but they do have the personnel -- if utilized correctly -- to be a tier under that.

2. Do you agree with Pop's decision to focus more on offense?

To an extent. By '08, it was painfully obvious that they needed to. But it's still inexcusable that they haven't brought in a legit partner for Duncan, which would solve much of the defensive issues.

3. Hypothetically, can a team that is great offensively but average defensively win an NBA championship?

It's possible, depending on your definition of average. Anything outside of the top 10 in efficiency and the answer is probably no, unless the offense is historically great. But as bad they've appeared to be for much of the season, they're 13th in defensive efficiency and with the improved personnel -- if they utilize it correctly -- that combined with certain guys going all out on defense and not pacing themselves in the playoffs, should have them defending at a top 10 level.

4. Can today's Spurs team win a championship with an offense-first mentality?

Sure, but, as I just alluded to, that doesn't mean the defense won't have to improve some. Of course, they'll need some breaks along the way, just like any other championship team, but it's doable. I have a difficult time envisioning them beating either the Heat or Bulls, but I also have a difficult time imagining the big three getting back to the Finals and not winning it. It's like the Mavs last season, in that they'd know that they're probably not getting back there, so they'd feel like they couldn't afford to lose.

[benefactor]

While it's a popular notion that Leonard is already a superb defender because he's young and quick and athletic -- he simply looks like he should be one -- there is no empirical evidence whatsoever that suggests that he is one atm, and L.J. would back this up. The Spurs have been more effective defensively with Stephen Jackson (small sample size though), with Danny Green, even with RJ or James Anderson. Leonard's best asset has been his rebounding on both ends and his scoring in the paint, tbh.



Complete bunk you just made up. Most successful offensive plays in the NBA require good execution by just two or three players (i.e. the Spurs pick-and-roll). Good defense needs all five guys working well on a string. There are countless interviews where Spurs players state that Pop's defensive playbook is far thicker than his offensive one and that it takes at least a year to understand where to be at all times on defense. Offensively, the adjustment for players has been much easier and the most common problem isn't positioning but rather not being over tentative and deferring too much when playing with Top-25 players and certain future HOFers like Tim, Tony and Manu.



Tough to see many flaws in Chicago or Miami. The Bulls are 4th in offensive efficiency and 2nd in defensive efficiency. The Heat are 3rd in offensive efficiency and 4th in defensive efficiency. Either one would be more than a handful for us, especially if they have home court advantage. Winning a 'chip against either would be the most impressive accomplishment in Spurs history, imo, even more so than beating Detroit in '05.



Again, the typical ST bias against Bonner where you trust your lying eyes over all statistical evidence. Not only has he been one of the team's most consistent defenders all season long, but he's one of the best post-up defenders in the league. Bonner's biggest fault, besides his playoff history, is that he doesn't look the part (opposite of Leonard, basically). Like Billy Beane says, "Are we trying to sell jeans here or win games?"

He was benched against the Kings just to get rest, it had nothing to do about matchups. Bonner's specializes against interior scorers and his weakness is actually guarding people similar to him, guys who can space the floor and shoot threes. The Kings don't have stretch fours.

If you worry about match-ups as far as who plays and who doesn't, then Blair and Neal would almost never play.

Yeah, after seeing this post I can see why you mostly just type gay slurs. When you actually try to provide basketball analysis, you're just talking out of your ass.

So you are trying to show me up now? Sorry...I'm not interested to writing long responses to gots who cherry pick my posts and take things out of context. Go follow someone around who gives a .

[acoelho1]

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?

To be an elite defensive team, you need the physical bigs down low and TD is not what he used to be. However, Leonard and Green are steps in the right direction. In terms of Leonard, mark my words, he will be one of the best defensive wings in the league.

2. Do you agree with Pop's decision to focus more on offense?

I don't agree with the premise of your question. You only have to look at the quick time outs when someone misses a defensive assignment. The difference with this team is that they play faster and are not holding the ball like the teams of the past. Trust me, Pop is still very engaged on that side of the ball and we are far from being the Suns.

Also, if we are so focused on offense, why did we pick up the defensive minded Leonard during the draft.

3. Hypothetically, can a team that is great offensively but average defensively win an NBA championship?

I see where your going with this question but I think the Spurs are improving their defense each game and should have an above average defense by playoff time. Also, don't forget that Pop doesn't always put the best defensive team on the floor so we have some flexibility in that area.

4. Can today's Spurs team win a championship with an offense-first mentality?

Again, being better on offense than defense doesn't mean you throw out one for the other. This team is considerably more physical and defensive minded than last year's team, which was an offensive juggernaut. Today's Spurs are a pretty damn good offense with an ever improving defense. This chapter on the demise of the Spurs defense has yet to be written and with ridding ourselves of Jefferson and adding Jackson and Diaw, things are looking up on that side of the ball.

[roycrikside]

So you are trying to show me up now? Sorry...I'm not interested to writing long responses to gots who cherry pick my posts and take things out of context. Go follow someone around who gives a .

There you go, tough guy. Stick to your strengths.

[GSH]

While it's a popular notion that Leonard is already a superb defender because he's young and quick and athletic -- he simply looks like he should be one -- there is no empirical evidence whatsoever that suggests that he is one atm, and L.J. would back this up. The Spurs have been more effective defensively with Stephen Jackson (small sample size though), with Danny Green, even with RJ or James Anderson. Leonard's best asset has been his rebounding on both ends and his scoring in the paint, tbh.

Again, the typical ST bias against Bonner where you trust your lying eyes over all statistical evidence. Not only has he been one of the team's most consistent defenders all season long, but he's one of the best post-up defenders in the league. Bonner's biggest fault, besides his playoff history, is that he doesn't look the part (opposite of Leonard, basically). Like Billy Beane says, "Are we trying to sell jeans here or win games?"

He was benched against the Kings just to get rest, it had nothing to do about matchups. Bonner's specializes against interior scorers and his weakness is actually guarding people similar to him, guys who can space the floor and shoot threes. The Kings don't have stretch fours.

Yeah, after seeing this post I can see why you mostly just type gay slurs. When you actually try to provide basketball analysis, you're just talking out of your ass.

I keep thinking this must be someone's new troll account. Surely no one could be as stupid and obnoxious as this, without trying? But noooo. Roy is the real deal.

Yes, Roy, Bonner is one of the best post defenders in the league, and he specializes against interior scorers. He's been one of the team's most consistent defenders all year, and his biggest problem is that he's white, and fans don't like that.

And yes, he was benched after only playing for less than a minute because Pop wanted to rest him. Because when Pop rests players, he always puts them in the game for 23 seconds. Except for Duncan, who he chooses to humiliate with a DNP-Old. It had nothing to do with matchups. In fact, I bet Pop was worried that Bonner matched up so well that the game would be a blowout, and he wanted everyone else to get some burn.

And finally, yes - benefactor posts "mostly gay slurs". In fact, he hardly ever posts anything about basketball, unlike yourself.


You make some of the biggest ing tools on this forum look like solid citizens. Are you on any prescription medications? I could temper my disgust, if I knew that you were just some unfortunate, chemically-imbalanced basement monkey.

[roycrikside]

I keep thinking this must be someone's new troll account. Surely no one could be as stupid and obnoxious as this, without trying? But noooo. Roy is the real deal.

Yes, Roy, Bonner is one of the best post defenders in the league, and he specializes against interior scorers. He's been one of the team's most consistent defenders all year, and his biggest problem is that he's white, and fans don't like that.

And yes, he was benched after only playing for less than a minute because Pop wanted to rest him. Because when Pop rests players, he always puts them in the game for 23 seconds. Except for Duncan, who he chooses to humiliate with a DNP-Old. It had nothing to do with matchups. In fact, I bet Pop was worried that Bonner matched up so well that the game would be a blowout, and he wanted everyone else to get some burn.

And finally, yes - benefactor posts "mostly gay slurs". In fact, he hardly ever posts anything about basketball, unlike yourself.


You make some of the biggest ing tools on this forum look like solid citizens. Are you on any prescription medications? I could temper my disgust, if I knew that you were just some unfortunate, chemically-imbalanced basement monkey.

Again, I've got numbers and stats and you've got your stupid generalities. And Pop didn't humiliate Duncan. Tim's in on the joke. You think he's so insecure that being called old by his coach of 15 years bothers him? Get over yourself.

Finally, if you're saying that Bonner was benched because of a match-up problem, you're kind of making my argument for me, guy. They scored 112 points and shot a great percentage with Bonner NOT playing. I guess they'd have scored 130 if he was in?

Go ahead, keep writing posts where you do ZERO research. Makes you look smart.