Fathead Vs. Marco

[SnakeBoy]

The biggest issue for Kyle is that he's playing behind Kawhi, who is both young and extremely talented. Even playing as a stretch 4, Bobo has that position locked up. He's just in a tough situation minutes wise, but as we rest some of those guys or if we continue to manage to blow teams away, he'll get his chances.

It's the ideal situation for a guy like Kyle to develop in.

[SAGirl]

There is no doubt that Anderson has been an upgrade over Bellinelli defensively. But I don't think he's been the 4th best defensive SF in the league.

I could be wrong, but I'm almost certain his high defensive RPM has something to do with the fact that he plays for the best defensive team in the NBA.

Marco was not at any point as good as him defensively and Marco shared minutes with Kawhi, Kyle has very rarely done that. You have to get off the slow-mo bias, and really look at what he does, he uses his incredible wingspan and size to alter shots, he breaks up plays using his hands getting deflections and setting balls loose. He blocks shots, he gets back on transition, he goes around picks and screens better than Marco, who got caught in every screen.

He swiches on defense able to bother or prevent big guys from getting the ball if he's picked off. In general, much much better. He's carried his own weight TBH.

[ceperez]

do you think Butler will make his way back to the rotation come playoff time? the game is played/officiated differently that i still find Simmons/Kyle both too rookie-sh to survive the pressure cooker in their first rodeo....there will be less minutes available anyway with Kawhi/Manu likely seeing bump in theirs..i think Pop might get back to giving Butler his 5 minutes runs here and there...

Butler plays either the SF or the PF position, the same positions that KA can play. Early in the season Butler played ahead of KA but that doesn't seem the case anymore. Butler is behind everyone else including even McCallum.

Butler is pretty capable as a defender and a 3 point shooter. He's been very professional about his role considering next to zero playing time.

[ceperez]

Marco was not at any point as good as him defensively and Marco shared minutes with Kawhi, Kyle has very rarely done that. You have to get off the slow-mo bias, and really look at what he does, he uses his incredible wingspan and size to alter shots, he breaks up plays using his hands getting deflections and setting balls loose. He blocks shots, he gets back on transition, he goes around picks and screens better than Marco, who got caught in every screen.

He swiches on defense able to bother or prevent big guys from getting the ball if he's picked off. In general, much much better. He's carried his own weight TBH.

True, I don't think KA is on the court when Leonard is on the court. However, that would be an interesting combination considering how much length defensively that would bring.

In practice though, KA is matched up against KL. So that means that KA has to put up with some serious defense.

[littlecoyotecoin]

Marco was not at any point as good as him defensively and Marco shared minutes with Kawhi, Kyle has very rarely done that. You have to get off the slow-mo bias, and really look at what he does, he uses his incredible wingspan and size to alter shots, he breaks up plays using his hands getting deflections and setting balls loose. He blocks shots, he gets back on transition, he goes around picks and screens better than Marco, who got caught in every screen.

He swiches on defense able to bother or prevent big guys from getting the ball if he's picked off. In general, much much better. He's carried his own weight TBH.

And your last sentence is all that really matters. Many thought KA would be unplayable because he wouldn't be able to play any defense at all. It looks like he is surpassing expectations in that department. And, he's still very young. If we can make any projections, it looks like he may continue to be a good value at 30th pick, if not an outright steal, as some hope. What more can we ask for than that. Not every player is going to be a Kawhi, and even so, Kawhi was a 15 pick. KA is doing a good job, thus far, by my reckoning.

[SAGirl]

True, I don't think KA is on the court when Leonard is on the court. However, that would be an interesting combination considering how much length defensively that would bring.

In practice though, KA is matched up against KL. So that means that KA has to put up with some serious defense.

Which is why I think Pop has trusted him with the ball, even giving him some spot PG minutes (which surprised me, since they didn't have him practice that dleague or SL).

I think if you can deal with a compe ive Kawhi in practice and not TO the ball, you will be fine against most guys, which is true, Kyle hasn't been turning the ball over due to ball pressure. I kind of think Kyle's length has helped Kawhi with his shot, if you can shoot over his length you will shoot well against most guys really.

In the long run, Kyle benefits the most from this compe ion, but I think his length at least is more of a compe ion in practice for Kawhi than scrimmaging against Danny.

[ElNono]

I'm nowhere near sold on KA's defense as other people here are, but it's mostly due to small sample against compe ive opposition.

[Spurs_619]

My issue with KA is he doesn't seem to be elite or really even above average at anything. His defense has been a pleasant surprise though

[TrainOfThought5]

There is no doubt that Anderson has been an upgrade over Bellinelli defensively. But I don't think he's been the 4th best defensive SF in the league.

I could be wrong, but I'm almost certain his high defensive RPM has something to do with the fact that he plays for the best defensive team in the NBA.

I believe that KA contributes to the high def. Rating, not relies on it.

[TrainOfThought5]

I'm nowhere near sold on KA's defense as other people here are, but it's mostly due to small sample against compe ive opposition.

As a backup playing against other backups (usually the worst wing) KA is easily a net positive on 8/10 nights. Which is 8 more nights than Bellinelli.

[bic50]

I believe that KA contributes to the high def. Rating, not relies on it.

[SpursIndonesia]

The biggest issue for Kyle is that he's playing behind Kawhi, who is both young and extremely talented. Even playing as a stretch 4, Bobo has that position locked up. He's just in a tough situation minutes wise, but as we rest some of those guys or if we continue to manage to blow teams away, he'll get his chances.

Any chance Kawhi slides to SG spot more considering his handle has improved so much & flat out the best shooter on the team right now ? Would love to see him partnering with Anderson on the perimeter more, especially when we plays the smaller, playmaking, & more mobile Diaw at the PF spot alongside TD or LMA, with Patty spotting in as another shooter in the line up.

[TheGreatYacht]

Ferrari showed up when it matters. Fathead, not so much.

[TheGreatYacht]

Would a fathead-led team beat Golden State in Oakland WITHOUT the big 3?

[ElNono]

As a backup playing against other backups (usually the worst wing) KA is easily a net positive on 8/10 nights. Which is 8 more nights than Bellinelli.

Just saying he played a lot of garbage minutes, and most of his non-garbage mins were against weak teams (Philadelphia), IIRC... It's not his fault and it doesn't mean anything either way, but the sample against more rugged compe ion is small right now.

[ElNono]

Any chance Kawhi slides to SG spot more considering his handle has improved so much & flat out the best shooter on the team right now ? Would love to see him partnering with Anderson on the perimeter more, especially when we plays the smaller, playmaking, & more mobile Diaw at the PF spot alongside TD or LMA, with Patty spotting in as another shooter in the line up.

Personally, I don't think Pop is too keen on that stuff. He's a fan of roles, 'units', etc. One scenario where that could play out is if Danny is in foul trouble. But then again, I can see him calling Simms in, who is more of a SG, than KA in such a situation...

[littlecoyotecoin]

Just saying he played a lot of garbage minutes, and most of his non-garbage mins were against weak teams (Philadelphia), IIRC... It's not his fault and it doesn't mean anything either way, but the sample against more rugged compe ion is small right now.

Which is also a very reasonable position.

[SnakeBoy]

Would a fathead-led team beat Golden State in Oakland WITHOUT the big 3?

Well that's just re ed

[SAGirl]

I'm nowhere near sold on KA's defense as other people here are, but it's mostly due to small sample against compe ive opposition.

Just saying he played a lot of garbage minutes, and most of his non-garbage mins were against weak teams (Philadelphia), IIRC... It's not his fault and it doesn't mean anything either way, but the sample against more rugged compe ion is small right now.

You have a valid point in that, and so far I have only seen a short 8 minutes for either Kyle or Simmons against playoff teams in close contests. Kyle came through in games against the Grizz, Boston, Raptors, and Simmons against Clippers, Raptors, and Houston.

Pop being reluctant to play these guys for more gives us some insight into Pop's mind. It is key for everyone to be healthy, bc Pop has not been full of confidence with either guy in tight game situations.

[Spurs 4 The Win]

no. 1first round exit and almost another. 1 ring when he wasn't playing.

Marco says hi

[ceperez]

You have a valid point in that, and so far I have only seen a short 8 minutes for either Kyle or Simmons against playoff teams in close contests. Kyle came through in games against the Grizz, Boston, Raptors, and Simmons against Clippers, Raptors, and Houston.

Pop being reluctant to play these guys for more gives us some insight into Pop's mind. It is key for everyone to be healthy, bc Pop has not been full of confidence with either guy in tight game situations.

The mindset of Pop is that his players must execute defensively first as well as offensively. Proper execution in the Spurs is at a level beyond any other kind of team. In offense have to move without the ball correctly, pass correctly and shoot at the right time and accurately. The defense also demands a level of perfection like not fouling, being disruptive, forcing opponents to uncomfortable spots etc. It is very difficult to play as a Spur because every action on the court is under a microscope.

Further, all this stuff doesn't come automatically, but requires experience to become second nature.

Which of course highlights the problem of bringing in veterans who have never had this kind of a system.

[dabom]

Marco was trash except 1 series. I'm glad he is out.

[dabom]

Losing him hasn't hurt our bench. Simmons and Kyle can soak up those 15 mins per game. Our net point differential is also off the charts.

[ceperez]

Belinelli's shooting is obviously much better than Anderson. However Anderson drop off relative isn't that bad since he still keeps the ball moving, passes great and can finish with coverage.

Anderson can seal the argument by improving at the 3. I think it is possible, his shooting in the past 5 games is a ridiculous .75. You can't ask for more! Imagine if he took as many shots as Shaun Livingston?

[Raven]

But he did play. Including the Finals.

I know you never liked the guy, but he certainly wasn't a hindrance to win a ring. That's pretty damn good.

And for all the ing, he was one of our better players against the Clips.

i really dont see how you can say that when both stats and the final result say the exact opposite