Spurs allowing a ridiculously low 89.8 ppg in millennial ball era

[UNT Eagles 2016]

Yes was. But LMA has been better this year to be quite honest. LMA is becoming an Elite defender and that is due to Pop for sure. LMA seems to want to win a championship and is doing everything Pop is telling him to do to achieve that. That's a good sign for the Spurs.

LMA become a much better defender. Parker FINALLY transitioning his game so he can continue to be successful. KA and Simmons continuing to improve since the Preseason. Butler being a solid bench contributor from day 1.

The Spurs could have asked for a better first month this season considering all the new guys stepping in.

Parker still gambles WAY too damn much... cost us at least 3 buckets against the Bulls which might have been the difference... Parker gambling means the big guy has to rotate to the enemy perimeter driver's shot which leaves the offensive glass wide open.

[midnightpulp]

Can't jump to too many conclusions obviously since the season is young and the schedule hasn't been too demanding, but this could be a historically great team. All the issues they have offensively (which will smooth out) are more than offset by their defense. Kawhi and Danny (who is right now offensively) cause terror for opposing perimeter players. Parker looks more comfortable than ever. Duncan steady as always. And LMA turned into an unexpected great defender. Shut down Greek Freak last night. And if Simmons comes along, the bench will be deadlier (they really need that extra athlete).

Problem is Golden State might be the greatest team of all-time

[Cowboys_Wear_Spurs]

Can't jump to too many conclusions obviously since the season is young and the schedule hasn't been too demanding, but this could be a historically great team. All the issues they have offensively (which will smooth out) are more than offset by their defense. Kawhi and Danny (who is right now offensively) cause terror for opposing perimeter players. Parker looks more comfortable than ever. Duncan steady as always. And LMA turned into an unexpected great defender. Shut down Greek Freak last night. And if Simmons comes along, the bench will be deadlier (they really need that extra athlete).

Problem is Golden State might be the greatest team of all-time

No that would be the Celtics of the 60's. Halivcek, Cousy, Russell, and Jones starting on their team. 4 HOF that would have been great in even today's NBA. Even the 80's Lakers and Celtics were better. 90's bulls with Kukoc, Jordan, Pippen, Kerr, Rodman, Harper, etc were better.

Spurs are GS kryptonite. They match up with them perfectly. I can honestly I am not worried about the Spurs playing GS in the playoff. If the Spurs are fully healthy, they will win that series.

[Dex]

In 20 games, the Spurs have held their opponent under 85 points 10 times this season.

They only were able to do this 6 times total last season.

[Blake]

Love that we are hanging our hat on defense.

Completely concur. I'm ecstaticly surprised at LMA's defense.

[boutons_deux]

Completely concur. I'm ecstaticly surprised at LMA's defense.

yep, great seeing him push hard against Randolph's backing down.

[spursistan]

In 20 games, the Spurs have held their opponent under 85 points 10 times this season.

They only were able to do this 6 times total last season.

Easy schedule or not, all metrics point to Spurs D being historically good thus far that any drop-off won't be change much of this..Barring an injury to key guy, i don't see it any worse Top 3 in DEF rating even if the offense picks up more of our focus later on..

[UNT Eagles 2016]

[/B]
No that would be the Celtics of the 60's. Halivcek, Cousy, Russell, and Jones starting on their team. 4 HOF that would have been great in even today's NBA. Even the 80's Lakers and Celtics were better. 90's bulls with Kukoc, Jordan, Pippen, Kerr, Rodman, Harper, etc were better.

Spurs are GS kryptonite. They match up with them perfectly. I can honestly I am not worried about the Spurs playing GS in the playoff. If the Spurs are fully healthy, they will win that series.

I'm more worried about OKC getting the #3 seed and us being on a death collision course with them for the 2nd round. If we have to play them we lose because refs

[spursistan]

I'm more worried about OKC getting the #3 seed and us being on a death collision course with them for the 2nd round. If we have to play them we lose because refs

Yeah, unfortunately Rockets collapse will ensure that pairing happen..They are overrated but are still a pain in the ass as KD/Westbrook are capable of dropping a double 30 point game on any given night to get the W..1) Warriors 2/Spurs 3) OKC 4) Clippers is the likely Top 4 seed..and knowing the Warriors luck they will get Houston as 4th seed and and Clippers 6th seed in our bracket ..

[UNT Eagles 2016]

Yeah, unfortunately Rockets collapse will ensure that pairing happen..They are overrated but are still a pain in the ass as KD/Westbrook are capable of dropping a double 30 point game on any given night to get the W..1) Warriors 2/Spurs 3) OKC 4) Clippers is the likely Top 4 seed..and knowing the Warriors luck they will get Houston as 4th seed and and Clippers 6th seed in our bracket ..

I could see Clippers beating OKC even without HCA if they get hot late? That too much to hope for? NBA/ESPN really wants GSW/LAC in the playoffs to happen though so we'll see.

[Brian Windhorst]

http://www.basketball-reference.com/...&order_by=wins

[Mel_13]

http://www.basketball-reference.com/...&order_by=wins

http://www.basketball-reference.com/...&order_by=wins

[SAGirl]

In 20 games, the Spurs have held their opponent under 85 points 10 times this season.

They only were able to do this 6 times total last season.

W-O-W!!!
That is an eye opener stat.

[Kawhitstorm]

W-O-W!!!
That is an eye opener stat.

I'm actually a grower so the stat is for flaccid

[SpursFan86]

Rather than look at raw DRTG, it's better to look at the defense compared to the league average defense. Things change throughout different eras, and a 94 DRTG in one era isn't the same as a 94 DRTG in another era.

Spurs are currently 1st with a DRTG of 93.9. The Celtics are 2nd, with a DRTG of 98.9. So the Spurs have been 5 points per 100 possessions better than even the 2nd best defense in the league. The league average DRTG this year is 103.8...the Spurs are 9.9 points better than the league average defense. That's absolutely insane. Comparing them against some of the defenses you commonly hear as all-time great:

'04 Spurs were 8.8 points better than the league average
'08 Celtics were 8.6 points better than the league average
'93 Knicks were 8.3 points better than the league average
'64 Celtics were 10.8 points better than the league average

I don't expect them to keep this up, but if they do, it'll without a doubt be one of the best defensive seasons in NBA history.