Spurs key weaknesses and how they've been addressed (so far...)

[TheGoldStandard]

Pop still coaching - no le next year either.

Wouldn't it be some if next year we're in a position to win, Kawhi is beasting and then he decides to take him out and puts in XYZ player..

[Agloco]

There is only one player on the team that the Spurs consistently run iso plays for, and that guys is Timmy. Tony's skill set is better suited to pick and roll play.

I understand your point, but that doesn't change the fact that Parker is their best iso player.

[Seefourdc]

Parker is definitely the Spurs best ISO player, but peoples opinion of him soured due to LBJ making him look like a 3rd string shot chucker with his stat lines the last few games. At least he didn't go 0-7 like that fool Stephenson in the previous series.

[TDfan2007]

If Tony was the Spurs best iso player, then he would get iso plays called for him. That's how the system works. Tony's lack of length and average leaping ability hurts him in iso situations.

Anyway, I do agree that I wish we got tougher up front. Thus far I don't think that any of the team's weaknesses have been addressed. Spurs still have the MLE though, so we'll see what happens.

[spursince#99]

Like I said, we're gonna look so ing pathetic next year.

[Brunodf]

1- The coach overplay scrubs/always counter/never dictate the matchups

[TheGoldStandard]

1- The coach overplay scrubs/always counter/never dictate the matchups

Los of Matt Bonner, he has to earn that 4M

[BackHome]

Spurs were ed because they had only 2 players, who could handle the ball vs Heat aggressive defense. One was hurt, one was passing to the wrong teammates. They didnt solved it. 2nd unit is ed with Manu being only one who can handle the ball.

Spurs didnt have good lineup for smallball. Kawhi is too thin, Diaw is too fat.

+1

[therealtruth]

Spurs were ed because they had only 2 players, who could handle the ball vs Heat aggressive defense. One was hurt, one was passing to the wrong teammates. They didnt solved it. 2nd unit is ed with Manu being only one who can handle the ball.

We need someone to bail out TP when the defense is focusing on him.

I think this is the biggest issue. We averaged only 13 assists in game 6-7. That isn't our formula for winning. I think TMac should have been given a try. Hopefully Kawhi can develop more point-forward abilities in his game.

Internal improvement from KL, CJ, and Splitter (although I just don't think he understands post play...) would be fantastic, but unless Manu has a resurgent season and Tiago's balls drop, I think we're missing a few pieces.

Watch Splitter's work in the post against OKC earlier this year.

[TheGreatYacht]

Like I said, we're gonna look so ing pathetic next year.

1- The coach overplay scrubs/always counter/never dictate the matchups

Parker is definitely the Spurs best ISO player, but peoples opinion of him soured due to LBJ making him look like a 3rd string shot chucker with his stat lines the last few games. At least he didn't go 0-7 like that fool Stephenson in the previous series or turned the ball over like that fool Ginobili in Game 6.

[Kidd K]

Good points. What issue do you think should be resolved first: the extra ballhandler issue or another SF? I believe that both need to be addressed. It might be pricier to sign another SF but it's probably more important. As for as an extra ballhandler that might be had for cheap, I liked what I saw out of Prigoni last season in New York. He is not a scorer but he is a very good passer and can take care of the ball. I know he's pretty old, but he might like to come play with his fellow countryman. What's your thoughts?

We needed an extra ball handler and playmaker before everything else imo. So that's still our priority one. I think with our given staff, we could actually squeak by without a real backup SF by rotating Ginobili, Green, Belinelli, and on rare occaision, Diaw in the role. "Going small" so to speak, or big with Diaw. Leonard is young and probably able to play mid 30s minutes, so we'd only really need 12 or so minutes of SF to be filled in for per game in a fairly minor role.

On the other hand, we only have two ball handlers who play a combined 55 minutes a game last year out of 96 over their two positions. Rarely using them together (where they're actually best) because we needed them apart. So that equates to only about 8 minutes a game together. If we had a third playmaker (backup PG like Nate Robinson for example), we would have a playmaker on the floor at all times, and have plenty of overlap and time with two on the floor at once for extra options and no one getting exhausted having to carry the full load or keep throwing it in to Timmy over and over to get some rest.

I knew we weren't going to "upgrade" from Splitter. Truth be told, while I realize everyone (including me somewhat) is disappointed in him, his talent level and production wasn't going to be improved on. There's not a reasonable salaried guy whom we could argue would definitely be better. Getting Splitter back was probably the "best move" we could've made. . .though it did come kind of expensive.

The Spurs still have an MLE to sign a backup SF, and I expect that's what they'll do. Very likely not a playmaker either, just an average defender/spot up shooter type guy with limited capabilities. I'm okay with the big man situation (not happy, but not mad). I just wish we'd go harder after someone like Nate. We needed that extra playmaker pretty badly.

Edit: Forgot to mention, Prigoni was a terrible ballhandler. I would grade him as even worse than Nando De Colo who I don't rate highly at all. I'm editting this part because I looked up his stats after I posted just to make sure I wasn't being too hard on him from what I saw of him, and whoa, he's even worse than I recall. Dude turns the ball over constantly. He's one of only two guards to turn the ball over at a higher rate than Nando who have played at least as many minutes as him. 27.1% TOV% despite having an only 11.7% USG%. Sloppy Nando had a 23.7% TOV% on his 17.1% USG%. Only Jamal Tinsley played as many minutes and managed to be worse (30.2% TOV%/13.1% USG%). And Tinsley posted the 3rd worst TOV% for guards in the history of the NBA for players who played at least 1,200 minutes in a season. So being better than him is kind of not saying much.

[cjw]

Parker is the Spurs' best iso player, but the Heat's defence is pretty effective in dealing with guards.

What the Spurs lack is a big man who can expose their weakness in the low post, like a Roy Hibbert. Tbh, there aren't many such options in free agency. Bynum is a head case, and the Spurs never showed any interest in Pekovic. Even a healthy Oden may not be a good option, since he was never one who demanded the ball to impose his will on offence.

I guess you weren't watching the first half of game 6? Timmy played one of the best halves in finals history there by toying with the Heat in the post.

[TheGreatYacht]

We needed an extra ball handler and playmaker before everything else imo. So that's still our priority one. I think with our given staff, we could actually squeak by without a real backup SF by rotating Ginobili, Green, Belinelli, and on rare occaision, Diaw in the role. "Going small" so to speak, or big with Diaw. Leonard is young and probably able to play mid 30s minutes, so we'd only really need 12 or so minutes of SF to be filled in for per game in a fairly minor role.

On the other hand, we only have two ball handlers who play a combined 55 minutes a game last year out of 96 over their two positions. Rarely using them together (where they're actually best) because we needed them apart. So that equates to only about 8 minutes a game together. If we had a third playmaker (backup PG like Nate Robinson for example), we would have a playmaker on the floor at all times, and have plenty of overlap and time with two on the floor at once for extra options and no one getting exhausted having to carry the full load or keep throwing it in to Timmy over and over to get some rest.

I knew we weren't going to "upgrade" from Splitter. Truth be told, while I realize everyone (including me somewhat) is disappointed in him, his talent level and production wasn't going to be improved on. There's not a reasonable salaried guy whom we could argue would definitely be better. Getting Splitter back was probably the "best move" we could've made. . .though it did come kind of expensive.

The Spurs still have an MLE to sign a backup SF, and I expect that's what they'll do. Very likely not a playmaker either, just an average defender/spot up shooter type guy with limited capabilities. I'm okay with the big man situation (not happy, but not mad). I just wish we'd go harder after someone like Nate. We needed that extra playmaker pretty badly.

I agree. FO should prioritize getting an extra ball handler off the bench to relieve Manu off his playmaking duties. Parker is getting older and we can't rely on TP being our only offensive threat. Kawhi can step up but with his jumper knee issues, I'm not sure how many minutes he would be able to play. I rather Pop play it safe and monitor his minutes which is what Pop is a master at. We don't know how reliable Tim Duncan will be offensively this upcoming season so Spurs NEED another playmaker.

[benfti]

I am utterly staggered that the spurs play over 100 games a year, inc finals and preseason and people dont understand

WE DONT RUN "ISO" OFFENCE

we are a pass first team who run the pick n roll.

ISO ball is for teams with collective low IQ players.

[TheGreatYacht]

I am utterly staggered that the spurs play over 100 games a year, inc finals and preseason and people dont understand

WE DONT RUN "ISO" OFFENCE

we are a pass first team who run the pick n roll.

ISO ball is for teams with collective low IQ players.

The Spurs were running ISO's in Game 5 of the NBA Finals. Remember what happened? Manu had a "Giiiinoooooboli" vintage performance and TP had a decent game despite playing with hurt hamstring. Very rarely do the Spurs play ISO's but I know that TP and Manu are capable of doing so. I wish the Spurs would have attempted more ISO's against the Heat, especially in Game 6. For some odd reason after having success in Game 5 running ISO's, the Spurs reverted back to their pick n roll allowing the Heat to do their blitz/double teams and forcing Manu and TP to become passive.

[jestersmash]

Like I said, we're gonna look so ing pathetic next year.

A lot of people said the same thing after 8.

[SpursRock20]

We needed an extra ball handler and playmaker before everything else imo. So that's still our priority one. I think with our given staff, we could actually squeak by without a real backup SF by rotating Ginobili, Green, Belinelli, and on rare occaision, Diaw in the role. "Going small" so to speak, or big with Diaw. Leonard is young and probably able to play mid 30s minutes, so we'd only really need 12 or so minutes of SF to be filled in for per game in a fairly minor role.

On the other hand, we only have two ball handlers who play a combined 55 minutes a game last year out of 96 over their two positions. Rarely using them together (where they're actually best) because we needed them apart. So that equates to only about 8 minutes a game together. If we had a third playmaker (backup PG like Nate Robinson for example), we would have a playmaker on the floor at all times, and have plenty of overlap and time with two on the floor at once for extra options and no one getting exhausted having to carry the full load or keep throwing it in to Timmy over and over to get some rest.

I knew we weren't going to "upgrade" from Splitter. Truth be told, while I realize everyone (including me somewhat) is disappointed in him, his talent level and production wasn't going to be improved on. There's not a reasonable salaried guy whom we could argue would definitely be better. Getting Splitter back was probably the "best move" we could've made. . .though it did come kind of expensive.

The Spurs still have an MLE to sign a backup SF, and I expect that's what they'll do. Very likely not a playmaker either, just an average defender/spot up shooter type guy with limited capabilities. I'm okay with the big man situation (not happy, but not mad). I just wish we'd go harder after someone like Nate. We needed that extra playmaker pretty badly.

Edit: Forgot to mention, Prigoni was a terrible ballhandler. I would grade him as even worse than Nando De Colo who I don't rate highly at all. I'm editting this part because I looked up his stats after I posted just to make sure I wasn't being too hard on him from what I saw of him, and whoa, he's even worse than I recall. Dude turns the ball over constantly. He's one of only two guards to turn the ball over at a higher rate than Nando who have played at least as many minutes as him. 27.1% TOV% despite having an only 11.7% USG%. Sloppy Nando had a 23.7% TOV% on his 17.1% USG%. Only Jamal Tinsley played as many minutes and managed to be worse (30.2% TOV%/13.1% USG%). And Tinsley posted the 3rd worst TOV% for guards in the history of the NBA for players who played at least 1,200 minutes in a season. So being better than him is kind of not saying much.

Thanks for getting back to me and I liked your analysis. As for me being so wrong on Prigoni, it might have been because the most I saw out of him was in the playoffs and I was pretty impressed. He only averaged a little more than 1 turnover per 42 minutes of playing time.

[Brunodf]

I am utterly staggered that the spurs play over 100 games a year, inc finals and preseason and people dont understand

WE DONT RUN "ISO" OFFENCE

we are a pass first team who run the pick n roll.

ISO ball is for teams with collective low IQ players.

Small ball did run iso offense only

[Solid D]

Parker, Duncan and Ginobili are all super iso players. They just don't stay iso'd. No star stays iso'd for long.
Even at Ginobili's advanced age, no defender wants to get caught trying to stop him without help. He's too good.

Getting another player who can create their own shot in addition to those 3 night be a more accurate reflection of a team need. Kawhi may turn out to be that guy.

[HarlemHeat37]

the Spurs were a Popovich blunder away from winning the le, tbh..the majority of the posters here have been acting like this team is supremely flawed and needs a major facelift..

There aren't any powerhouse teams in the West, there isn't Shaq's Lakers, prime Duncan's Spurs, Gasol's Lakers or even Nowitzki's Mavs, tbh..the compe ion is full of flawed teams and overrated teams(Warriors, Clippers, etc)..

The Spurs have some flaws, but the rest of the West has even more flaws, tbh..

The Spurs still potentially have cap room to make a move, too..adding a guy like AK should put the Spurs a level ahead of the conference, tbh..

[therealtruth]

The Spurs were running ISO's in Game 5 of the NBA Finals. Remember what happened? Manu had a "Giiiinoooooboli" vintage performance and TP had a decent game despite playing with hurt hamstring. Very rarely do the Spurs play ISO's but I know that TP and Manu are capable of doing so. I wish the Spurs would have attempted more ISO's against the Heat, especially in Game 6. For some odd reason after having success in Game 5 running ISO's, the Spurs reverted back to their pick n roll allowing the Heat to do their blitz/double teams and forcing Manu and TP to become passive.

Good point. Despite having alot of ISOs in game 5 we still managed over 20 assists. ISO's can be effective since they can open up shots for the role players. I think we've got lots of options for running offense that we can make more use of. We can use Splitter/Diaw in the post more and Kawhi/Green can handle the ball more. There might be some initial growing pains but the payoff will be in the playoffs when we won't have a single point of failure (TP).

[Man In Black]

Last year Shaun Livingston made 773K. He's a Pick and Roll Playmaker with size at 6'7" and now, the Nets are making a run at him. They see what I do, that he's a very solid backup PG with necessary skills to help a team win. The Nets are going to use their new pieces to try and force their way to the top of the Eastern Conference and beyond.

So, why not Shaun Livingston? Spurs can take him away from a possible contender plus get a solid backup PG who gives Pop an added playmaker and removes the over reliance on Manu.

[therealtruth]

the Spurs were a Popovich blunder away from winning the le, tbh..the majority of the posters here have been acting like this team is supremely flawed and needs a major facelift..

There aren't any powerhouse teams in the West, there isn't Shaq's Lakers, prime Duncan's Spurs, Gasol's Lakers or even Nowitzki's Mavs, tbh..the compe ion is full of flawed teams and overrated teams(Warriors, Clippers, etc)..

The Spurs have some flaws, but the rest of the West has even more flaws, tbh..

The Spurs still potentially have cap room to make a move, too..adding a guy like AK should put the Spurs a level ahead of the conference, tbh..

AK's not coming for the mid-level.

[sventhedog]

accept it. it's the curse for loyalty to your big 3.

[ElNono]

50 win seasons, back to back WCF and NBA Finals is a curse?

There's probably 20+ teams that would love to be cursed, tbh