Western Conference Scout on if the Spurs are still a legit le contender

[Mel_13]

I agree 100% with DesignatedT and I really don't understand the objections to what he said. Unless, that is, you believe that the Spur have no chance to beat OKC with the current roster and then you should come right out and say that. What DesignatedT outlined was the best rotation that the Spurs can possibly deploy and how the lack of a true backup PG can best be overcome. Check the rotation from the second half of last night's game for a preview of how that will be done.

[racm]

The Spurs have showed substantial improvement on the defensive side of the ball. The reason the Spurs lost last season was because they couldn't get stops when they needed them. The Spurs are up in the top 4 in defensive efficiency rating (haven't finished in the top 10 the last two seasons) and have been the best defensive team in the NBA over the past month since the return of Leonard.

The roster might be the same but the focus on defense > offense is quite evident so far this season. That makes for a huge difference compared to last years team.

That is the biggest difference.

Part of why the Spurs have gotten better on defense is that they've gotten much better at contesting 3s (they're 3rd in opposing 3P% as opposed to 14th/15th last season) and they're more amenable to forcing turnovers (Manu was the only guy given the green light to gamble before Kawhi arrived). Their defensive rebounding and policy of not fouling is still there.

[racm]

IMO Manu should be at 28 mpg and Timmy 32 mpg in the postseason. The Spurs can handle them resting more because Tony's gotten much better as a playmaker whilst Tiago is no longer a net liability on the court.

The rotation should be

Tony/Manu as the ball handlers
Green/Leonard/Jackson as wings
Tim/Tiago/Boris as bigs

[Arcadian]

Spurs right now:
Best record in the NBA at 36-11, on pace for 62-20
Best streak in the NBA with 8 wins (9-1 in last 10)
Best home record in the NBA at 20-2 (that's just sick)
All-star PG, all-star PF/C, and all-star coach (and reigning coach of the year)
DPOY candidate in Duncan
Duncan/Splitter playing like Twin Towers

Meanwhile, the Thunder, Clippers, and Heat are all looking beatable. We are definitely poised for a le run.

[Mel_13]

IMO Manu should be at 28 mpg and Timmy 32 mpg in the postseason. The Spurs can handle them resting more because Tony's gotten much better as a playmaker whilst Tiago is no longer a net liability on the court.

The rotation should be

Tony/Manu as the ball handlers
Green/Leonard/Jackson as wings
Tim/Tiago/Boris as bigs

That's about right, although I believe we'll see an 8.5 man rotation with 8-10 minutes for the guard (Neal or Mills) who plays next to Manu while Tony rests for 4-5 minutes each half.

[DesignatedT]

Part of why the Spurs have gotten better on defense is that they've gotten much better at contesting 3s (they're 3rd in opposing 3P% as opposed to 14th/15th last season)

The rotation should be

Tony/Manu as the ball handlers
Green/Leonard/Jackson as wings
Tim/Tiago/Boris as bigs

I agree with this. With Neal probably getting some spot minutes at the 2 guard.

[look_at_g_shred]

Spurs right now:
Best record in the NBA at 36-11, on pace for 62-20
Best streak in the NBA with 8 wins (9-1 in last 10)
Best home record in the NBA at 20-2 (that's just sick)
All-star PG, all-star PF/C, and all-star coach (and reigning coach of the year)
DPOY candidate in Duncan
Duncan/Splitter playing like Twin Towers

Meanwhile, the Thunder, Clippers, and Heat are all looking beatable. We are definitely poised for a le run.

Sounds so good.

[look_at_g_shred]

I know it's early but the way we are playing at home makes having HCA in the playoffs this year a must!

[racm]

Spurs right now:
Best record in the NBA at 36-11, on pace for 62-20
Best streak in the NBA with 8 wins (9-1 in last 10)
Best home record in the NBA at 20-2 (that's just sick)
All-star PG, all-star PF/C, and all-star coach (and reigning coach of the year)
DPOY candidate in Duncan
Duncan/Splitter playing like Twin Towers

Meanwhile, the Thunder, Clippers, and Heat are all looking beatable. We are definitely poised for a le run.

Won 17 of their last 20 after KL returned too.

[DPG21920]

I agree 100% with DesignatedT and I really don't understand the objections to what he said. Unless, that is, you believe that the Spur have no chance to beat OKC with the current roster and then you should come right out and say that. What DesignatedT outlined was the best rotation that the Spurs can possibly deploy and how the lack of a true backup PG can best be overcome. Check the rotation from the second half of last night's game for a preview of how that will be done.

What he actually said is that based on his outline, it shouldn't really be a problem. We, as Spurs fans, saw up close and personal how much of a problem the 2nd unit (in particular back up PG duties) could be last year vs OKC.

I agree that's likely the route to go, but that doesn't mean it's not really a problem. If it was that easy, Spurs would not have been searching long and hard for a de facto back up PG for so long. They have signed and tried numerous guys and that is still a rather large question mark.

[look_at_g_shred]

dont play the stupid fluke game bull like everyone around here likes to throw around, and dont say they havnt improved from last season is bull ....hate it when clowns on here underestimate the other team and downplay there fkn victories.....

the spurs didnt improve much, its still the same fkn roster with splitter starting is the only difference, its not like everyone has picked up their game either....some of the players on the team continue to be blackholes when the team needs them

spurs can play any style, but when other team adjusts to the spurs, we shrivel and dont adjust or find a solution but continue to stick to the same game plan/rotations and giving minutes to players who continue to stink it up hoping they get out of it with more playing time

u know whats the difference between this season and last season? players who came out of nowhere were consistent last season with their production, this season too many players have had alot of bad games or not showing up....cant have that sort of if its not sorted out quick heading into the playoffs....

Person who beat us in Game 5 is no longer with OKC. Game 6 4th quarter belonged to the refs TBH.

[TheSkeptic]

I agree 100% with DesignatedT and I really don't understand the objections to what he said. Unless, that is, you believe that the Spur have no chance to beat OKC with the current roster and then you should come right out and say that. What DesignatedT outlined was the best rotation that the Spurs can possibly deploy and how the lack of a true backup PG can best be overcome. Check the rotation from the second half of last night's game for a preview of how that will be done.

What I take issue with is DesignatedT saying that the ballhandling for the second unit shouldn't be a problem. We saw last season and this season how the lack of a decent back-up point can and has compromised the second unit's production. Diaw/Manu may be enough to keep the bench afloat and all, but I don't see how Spurs fans can be waving this off as if it's not a concern. I agree that Manu's a way better option than Neal though and under the cir stances DesignatedT's outline is the the best San Antonio can do.

[Mel_13]

What he actually said is that based on his outline, it shouldn't really be a problem. We, as Spurs fans, saw up close and personal how much of a problem the 2nd unit (in particular back up PG duties) could be last year vs OKC.

Weren't you the one that said something about variable changing?

The main source of problems for the 2nd unit in last year's WCF now plays for the Rockets. If Manu remains with the bench unit, the solution for the backup PG problem was seen in the second half of last night's game.

[DPG21920]

Also, people sleeping on OKC are odd to me as well. People keep citing the loss of Harden like that means the Spurs will dominate them. Many of the same problems exist (namely, their best players can basically play the full game and the Spurs best cannot) and they are still the favorite in a series for the Spurs. Does the loss of Harden close the gap? I believe it does, but people acting like the Spurs just absolutely leap-frogged OKC because of the loss of Harden are in for a rude awakening if they think it will be easy.

[DPG21920]

Weren't you the one that said something about variable changing?

The main source of problems for the 2nd unit in last year's WCF now plays for the Rockets. If Manu remains with the bench unit, the solution for the backup PG problem was seen in the second half of last night's game.

So why then have the Spurs signed Patty Mills, kept Cory Joseph, run Nando at PG and still give Neal minutes at back up PG? They are searching for something and to act like it's not a problem (as DT said) does not make sense to me personally. Yes, Harden is gone, but that doesn't mean the Spurs magically got better at the back up PG spot.

So you agree that there is no problem at all with the back up PG spot at the moment and is of no concern at all? Because that is essentially what DT said and the only part I personally was taken aback by.

[Mel_13]

What I take issue with is DesignatedT saying that the ballhandling for the second unit shouldn't be a problem. We saw last season and this season how the lack of a decent back-up point can and has compromised the second unit's production. Diaw/Manu may be enough to keep the bench afloat and all, but I don't see how Spurs fans can be waving this off as if it's not a concern. I agree that Manu's a way better option than Neal though and under the cir stances DesignatedT's outline is the the best San Antonio can do.

I'm not sure who you're talking about "waving it off". I didn't read DesignatedT's post that way and I know I'm not waving it off. The Spurs don't have a true backup PG. They do have Manu Ginobili. For 8-10 minutes per game, Manu plus Neal/Mills will have to suffice. It's far better than 8-10 minutes with Tony and Manu both on the bench.

[look_at_g_shred]

Also, people sleeping on OKC are odd to me as well. People keep citing the loss of Harden like that means the Spurs will dominate them. Many of the same problems exist (namely, their best players can basically play the full game and the Spurs best cannot) and they are still the favorite in a series for the Spurs. Does the loss of Harden close the gap? I believe it does, but people acting like the Spurs just absolutely leap-frogged OKC because of the loss of Harden are in for a rude awakening if they think it will be easy.

No one said it be easier with the Harden loss. It just takes away an extra playmaker okc had. I understand OKC are a good team, yet Im sure they think the same thing. It amazes me though how most of the people on here think OKC are invincible.

[look_at_g_shred]

I'm not sure who you're talking about "waving it off". I didn't read DesignatedT's post that way and I know I'm not waving it off. The Spurs don't have a true backup PG. They do have Manu Ginobili. For 8-10 minutes per game, Manu plus Neal/Mills will have to suffice. It's far better than 8-10 minutes with Tony and Manu both on the bench.

Would rather have mills at PG and neal at SG

[Mel_13]

So why then have the Spurs signed Patty Mills, kept Cory Joseph, run Nando at PG and still give Neal minutes at back up PG? They are searching for something and to act like it's not a problem (as DT said) does not make sense to me personally. Yes, Harden is gone, but that doesn't mean the Spurs magically got better at the back up PG spot.

So you agree that there is no problem at all with the back up PG spot at the moment and is of no concern at all? Because that is essentially what DT said and the only part I personally was taken aback by.

I'm not going to play the game where you say what I mean.

Those guys are getting chances in the regular season for the obvious reason. To see if one of them can seize the position. It would be preferable to have one of them do so. It would allow Tony and Manu to play more minutes together. To this point, none of the possible candidates has established himself as a reliable option for the role in the playoffs. So you go with the next best option.

[DPG21920]

So boiled down, you agree with DT saying the back up PG is not really a problem - I just don't agree with that. Do I think it's some massive issue that will ultimately be the undoing of this team? Probably not, but I would not dismiss it as DT did in his post.

[TheSkeptic]

I'm not sure who you're talking about "waving it off". I didn't read DesignatedT's post that way and I know I'm not waving it off. The Spurs don't have a true backup PG. They do have Manu Ginobili. For 8-10 minutes per game, Manu plus Neal/Mills will have to suffice. It's far better than 8-10 minutes with Tony and Manu both on the bench.

Bah...Looks like DPG's making most of my points.

DesignatedT specifically said that the ballhandling "isn't that big of a problem" if Manu's healthy and available. I'm in agreement that Manu's our best bet (I don't trust Neal or Mills with ballhandling duties) but it's still a band-aid solution to cover up the lack of a proper back-up point. This is probably our team's biggest weakness right now so I'm personally surprised that a Spur fan would say that it isn't really a big deal. If the Spurs get beaten in the post-season I think that this is most likely one of the reasons. That said, it should be nothing like the Blair/Bonner versus Memphis fiasco.

[Mel_13]

Also, people sleeping on OKC are odd to me as well. People keep citing the loss of Harden like that means the Spurs will dominate them. Many of the same problems exist (namely, their best players can basically play the full game and the Spurs best cannot) and they are still the favorite in a series for the Spurs. Does the loss of Harden close the gap? I believe it does, but people acting like the Spurs just absolutely leap-frogged OKC because of the loss of Harden are in for a rude awakening if they think it will be easy.

Again, I don't know who you're referring to. Certainly not me. Losing Harden hurts OKC. They'll still probably be the favorites in any series before a Finals rematch with Miami, but they are vulnerable in ways that they weren't last year.

[Mel_13]

So boiled down, you agree with DT saying the back up PG is not really a problem - I just don't agree with that. Do I think it's some massive issue that will ultimately be the undoing of this team? Probably not, but I would not dismiss it as DT did in his post.

Again, you should stick with saying what you mean. I'm quite capable of saying what I mean.

[DPG21920]

I agree - was not talking about you.

[look_at_g_shred]

And no one is sleeping on OKC lol