Random thoughts following 30-point victory and franchise record for 3PM...

[Fireball]

And the Spurs are still 4th in defensive rating, 3rd in eFG%, and 3rd in FT/FGA. They don't let opponents get good shots and they don't foul a lot.

Sounds very good. Are they still fouling at the low rate of earlier seasons? I have the feeling that they foul a bit more because they are trying to play a more physical brand of basketball (which is fine by me) ...

[racm]

Even more intriguing, De Colo is a big PG at 6'5 and could easily create mismatches against other teams. It also allows the Spurs to consistently play an undersized SG next to him (in the mold of Patty Mills or even De Colo's draft class comrade, the player formerly known as Jack McClinton).

I really like De Colo. He might not be fully ready yet, but hes picking it up quickly.

If both De Colo and Cory Joe fulfill their potential and grow at this same rate into next year, it could make for an interesting rotation clog next season (and would probably encourage Mills and Neal to walk).

It's a lot like the setup Dallas ran with Kidd and Terry. Kidd was the PG who would bring up the ball but would often lurk out on the three point line while Terry attacked as the second option. On defense they switched roles with Kidd guarding the SG. It's also the system New York runs right now, although Kidd is playing next to a real PG in Felton.

Sounds very good. Are they still fouling at the low rate of earlier seasons? I have the feeling that they foul a bit more because they are trying to play a more physical brand of basketball (which is fine by me) ...

In team seasons they're third-lowest in opposing FT/FGA. The lowest opposing FT/FGA season for the entire Spurs franchise? 2011-12. In other words they're playing more physical than last season but are still good at not fouling.

[Fireball]

Thanks racm ...

[Captivus]

Are there any chances that Kiwi and Jax start at the bench when they return?
I mean, the team is playing good, and having those 2 plus Manu entering for the second unit doesnt seem crazy to me (it could be).
Maybe at first this will happen, but eventually they will start. Still, i would like to see that happen.
Parker - Neal - Green - Diaw - Duncan
DeColo - Manu - Kiwi - Jax - Tiago
Is that even possible?? Maybe i would swap Kiwi for Neal...

[racm]

Jax at the backup 4 would be great against OKC.

[Boomersgold]

Are there any chances that Kiwi and Jax start at the bench when they return?
I mean, the team is playing good, and having those 2 plus Manu entering for the second unit doesnt seem crazy to me (it could be).
Maybe at first this will happen, but eventually they will start. Still, i would like to see that happen.
Parker - Neal - Green - Diaw - Duncan
DeColo - Manu - Kiwi - Jax - Tiago
Is that even possible?? Maybe i would swap Kiwi for Neal...

I'd be really surprised if De Colo beats Neal for the backup pg spot.

[Cry Havoc]

I'd be really surprised if De Colo beats Neal for the backup pg spot.

Why? Neal is NOT a PG. He's just been stuck there as a placeholder because he's an undersized 2 and we haven't had anyone else to run the point since TJ retired, who was likely to be our backup for a while.

[Obstructed_View]

That's one of the many encouraging things though to me so far - with removing Bonner from the rotation, Spurs 3 point shooting would natrually take a hit. Yet they are still finding ways to win games even when they aren't hitting 3's. I definitely want the 3 point shooting to be more consistent (which with Manu rounding into form it likely will), but it's nice to see them winning despite taking a hit from 3 point land so far.

Also, I know a few have mentioned it but this has been an incredibly fun season so far. So many great things, games and moments. The team is starting to gel and morph and it's incredible how Pop has found essentially boundless combinations of players and how everyone is having their moments. This team is so different from last year's regular season team yet every bit as capable of winnig a ton of games. It's awesome to watch.

I think some of you guys misunderstand what I said. I'm concerned about the number of three-point attempts, not the percentage. The low percentage comes from jacking up so many, because there simply aren't 30 quality looks from three point range in a typical NBA game. I don't mind that they're doing it now, but as they get the team together and round into form for a playoff run, we should be worried if they're still shooting threes that aren't generated from a dominant inside game.

[Obstructed_View]

I'd be really surprised if De Colo beats Neal for the backup pg spot.

At some point your viewpoints need to adapt based on changes that you see. Sticking to the same opinion you held a month ago no longer makes a ton of sense.

[Mel_13]

I think some of you guys misunderstand what I said. I'm concerned about the number of three-point attempts, not the percentage. The low percentage comes from jacking up so many, because there simply aren't 30 quality looks from three point range in a typical NBA game. I don't mind that they're doing it now, but as they get the team together and round into form for a playoff run, we should be worried if they're still shooting threes that aren't generated from a dominant inside game.

Just for context. The Spurs have topped 30 3p attempts twice this season, against Charlotte and Miami. Not coincidentally, those two teams give up the most 3PAs per game, and by quite a margin over the third place team in that category.

[Paranoid Pop]

At some point your viewpoints need to adapt based on changes that you see. Sticking to the same opinion you held a month ago no longer makes a ton of sense.

You can't take Neal out of the rotation, it's that simple, either we trade him or we play him, he's too valuable.

[Boomersgold]

At some point your viewpoints need to adapt based on changes that you see. Sticking to the same opinion you held a month ago no longer makes a ton of sense.

No , sherlock. As the season goes on, we as the fans get to see more of the new Spurs players. Players that didn't get much playing time in the first few games, get more minutes, therefore giving us something to base our opinions on. Sticking to the same opinions that I had a month ago doesn't make a lick of sense....

Having seen De Colo play some meaningful minutes, it's not that hard to see that he's a pass-first point guard, one that tries to get his teammates involved. He's really shown some improvement over the last few games. That being said, Pop isn't going to leave a player of Neal's caliber on the bench. It wouldn't make any sense.

[Obstructed_View]

Just for context. The Spurs have topped 30 3p attempts twice this season, against Charlotte and Miami. Not coincidentally, those two teams give up the most 3PAs per game, and by quite a margin over the third place team in that category.

True, but they shot 29 against the Knicks, and they've been in the mid to high 20s a number of times. I don't know where they rank for three point attempts as a team, but it sure feels like an awful lot for a Spurs team.

[Obstructed_View]

You can't take Neal out of the rotation, it's that simple, either we trade him or we play him, he's too valuable.

I agree with that, but I also agree with the folks who say that he's not really a backup point guard, he's more like a short version of J Crawford. You bring him in and let him score when you need points. That's a weapon that you can insert into the game at any point. De Colo is making a case as a more reliable guy to run your offense.

[Obstructed_View]

Having seen De Colo play some meaningful minutes, it's not that hard to see that he's a pass-first point guard, one that tries to get his teammates involved. He's really shown some improvement over the last few games. That being said, Pop isn't going to leave a player of Neal's caliber on the bench. It wouldn't make any sense.

Agreed. Leaving Neal on the bench would be a huge mistake, but he doesn't have to (and probably shouldn't) be the backup point guard to get his minutes. Let him do what he does. , I think we can all agree that he might pair up pretty well on the floor with De Colo running the offense and Gary just getting his points.

[Mel_13]

True, but they shot 29 against the Knicks, and they've been in the mid to high 20s a number of times. I don't know where they rank for three point attempts as a team, but it sure feels like an awful lot for a Spurs team.

They're currently 8th in the NBA at 22.3 3PA/G. League average is 19.5.

Last season they were 7th at 21.3 3PA/G. League average was 18.4.

Not alarming numbers, IMO.

[Boomersgold]

Agreed. Leaving Neal on the bench would be a huge mistake, but he doesn't have to (and probably shouldn't) be the backup point guard to get his minutes. Let him do what he does. , I think we can all agree that he might pair up pretty well on the floor with De Colo running the offense and Gary just getting his points.

Agreed, but for Neal to be on the court, he'd have to play the pg spot. The SG spot will be taken by Manu and SF by Jacks.

[Cry Havoc]

You can't take Neal out of the rotation, it's that simple, either we trade him or we play him, he's too valuable.

Neal is great to have as a resource for when the rest of the team isn't clicking offensively. Both him and Jax step on the court and give instant offense. Neal's defense has improved, but in the playoffs he's going to be more situationally used if the team keeps clicking like this. He definitely warrants lots of minutes in the regular season when teams aren't going to exploit every matchup for points, though.

[Cry Havoc]

Agreed. Leaving Neal on the bench would be a huge mistake, but he doesn't have to (and probably shouldn't) be the backup point guard to get his minutes. Let him do what he does. , I think we can all agree that he might pair up pretty well on the floor with De Colo running the offense and Gary just getting his points.

Neal and De Colo would not be a combination that would work against contenders in the playoffs. Too much defensive liability. Great for regular season games, though.

[Obstructed_View]

Agreed, but for Neal to be on the court, he'd have to play the pg spot. The SG spot will be taken by Manu and SF by Jacks.

I don't think that's an absolute requirement. If you're using Neal as a gunner for instant points, he can play anywhere. If you use him for certain situations, you don't give the other team any time to adjust. And Manu can run the point on the floor with him as well.

[Mel_13]

I don't think that's an absolute requirement. If you're using Neal as a gunner for instant points, he can play anywhere. If you use him for certain situations, you don't give the other team any time to adjust. And Manu can run the point on the floor with him as well.

His point was that you couldn't play Neal and De Colo together unless you went to an 11 man rotation or removed someone, likely Green, from the rotation. Assuming a completely healthy team, of course.

[Obstructed_View]

Neal and De Colo would not be a combination that would work against contenders in the playoffs. Too much defensive liability. Great for regular season games, though.

Depends on the matchup, which you'd have to exploit. You wouldn't trot them out against a potent starting guard rotation that could kill them with both size and speed, and maybe you avoid it altogether with certain teams like the Clippers that can put Bledsoe and Billups out there. But with Duncan and Jack and Kawhi all playing good defense, you could get out and run against almost anyone if the situation calls for it.

[Obstructed_View]

His point was that you couldn't play Neal and De Colo together unless you went to an 11 man rotation or removed someone, likely Green, from the rotation. Assuming a completely healthy team, of course.

So if the choice is having to cover for Neal's deficiencies or just not have his offense at all, you choose the former. I'm okay with that. I hate the idea of making him a point guard just because he's the same size as a point guard, though. I'm sure you guys do too. I'd rather you just sub him to go at the weakest guy of the other team's five of whatever position and count on him to murder them on the mismatch, though that's probably not realistic.

And the depth of this team makes it odd to talk about stuff like this, because I'm simply not used to the Spurs having to remove good players in order to have a shortened rotation. It's kind of a new reality to deal with.

[Mel_13]

So if the choice is having to cover for Neal's deficiencies or just not have his offense at all, you choose the former. I'm okay with that. I hate the idea of making him a point guard just because he's the same size as a point guard, though. I'm sure you guys do too. I'd rather you just sub him to go at the weakest guy of the other team's five of whatever position and count on him to murder them on the mismatch, though that's probably not realistic.

I understand your point, but I don't see it as that cut and dried. I don't believe Pop does, either.

[Cry Havoc]

And the depth of this team makes it odd to talk about stuff like this, because I'm simply not used to the Spurs having to remove good players in order to have a shortened rotation. It's kind of a new reality to deal with.

It's really odd. This might be the deepest NBA team in recent memory. We could throw any of about 15 lineups against other teams and they have to deal with it. Considering Manu can slot up to the point anytime, it's insane the number of mismatches we could have.