Spurs are ranked 26th in 3-point attempts

[GSH]

Do you understand the effect pace has on attempts per game?
Did you even notice that the Spurs are #1 in the league for fewest OPPONENT 3PA per game?
Or that they are 4th in the league for fewest opponent FGA per game?


Yes, the Spurs are taking fewer 3-pointers than last year. If Danny was hitting his shots, they probably would have taken more. But I remember people here ing about Spurs teams taking too many 3's, and saying things like, "You live by the 3, you die by the 3." Can't have it both ways.

[TD 21]

I said it early in the season: It's their Achilles heel. The unsustainable defense blinded people and when people did focus on it, they focused on the percentage and not the volume.

I don't expect a change this year, since the personnel more than likely isn't going to. If/when it costs them against the Thunder/Warriors/Cavs in the playoffs, I expect it to be a significant focus in the summer though, particularly between Aldridge and whoever the fourth wing is.

If any team could win a championship without volume three-point or free-throw shooting, it's probably this one, but I don't know if it can be done. I haven't looked into it, but I'm guessing no team, at least in recent history, has done so.

[GSH]

I said it early in the season: It's their Achilles heel. The unsustainable defense blinded people and when people did focus on it, they focused on the percentage and not the volume.

I don't expect a change this year, since the personnel more than likely isn't going to. If/when it costs them against the Thunder/Warriors/Cavs in the playoffs, I expect it to be a significant focus in the summer though, particularly between Aldridge and whoever the fourth wing is.

If any team could win a championship without volume three-point or free-throw shooting, it's probably this one, but I don't know if it can be done. I haven't looked into it, but I'm guessing no team, at least in recent history, has done so.

Well if the defense really is unsustainable, that's probably valid. Until Duncan went down, I didn't think it was unsustainable. Now I'm doubtful that they can keep it up. SpursFan86 mentioned 3PA/FGA. That's the stat that shows their shot distribution - not their raw number of 3PA. And, yeah, that's pretty light.

That being said...

What team do you think has the most FGA's per 100 possessions? Yep, the Spurs.
The most FGM per 100 possessions? The Spurs.

The real problem for the Spurs is that the numbers 2,3, and 4 teams are the Warriors, Thunder, and Cavs. And THEY put up a lot more 3-pointers per 100 possessions than the Spurs. That represents probably +5-6 PPG in those teams' favors. The other teams in the league, the Spurs' shot distribution is fine for.

That means that the Spurs are either going to have to put up more 3's against those three teams, or they would have to be able to stifle them with superior defense. As of now, they can't do the latter. And, yeah, if it's putting up more 3's, they have to make some of them.

My point is, the Spurs are putting up enough 3-pointers to sustain their record. But against the 3 other top-tier teams in the league, their shot distribution puts them at a disadvantage.

[dabom]

Well if the defense really is unsustainable, that's probably valid. Until Duncan went down, I didn't think it was unsustainable. Now I'm doubtful that they can keep it up. SpursFan86 mentioned 3PA/FGA. That's the stat that shows their shot distribution - not their raw number of 3PA. And, yeah, that's pretty light.

That being said...

What team do you think has the most FGA's per 100 possessions? Yep, the Spurs.
The most FGM per 100 possessions? The Spurs.

The real problem for the Spurs is that the numbers 2,3, and 4 teams are the Warriors, Thunder, and Cavs. And THEY put up a lot more 3-pointers per 100 possessions than the Spurs. That represents probably +5-6 PPG in those teams' favors. The other teams in the league, the Spurs' shot distribution is fine for.

That means that the Spurs are either going to have to put up more 3's against those three teams, or they would have to be able to stifle them with superior defense. As of now, they can't do the latter. And, yeah, if it's putting up more 3's, they have to make some of them.

My point is, the Spurs are putting up enough 3-pointers to sustain their record. But against the 3 other top-tier teams in the league, their shot distribution puts them at a disadvantage.

You kinda forget we defend the 3 like no other team. Evens out in the long run. I guess people forget adding defense into the discussion.

[GSH]

You kinda forget we defend the 3 like no other team. Evens out in the long run. I guess people forget adding defense into the discussion.

I mentioned the defense in the first three sentences. You kinda forget how to read.

[dabom]

I mentioned the defense in the first three sentences. You kinda forget how to read.

But their offense is?

I read it. Just makes no ing sense when saw it. You give them the benefit of the doubt but not us and you then make your judgement off of that biased take got.

[GSH]

But their offense is?

I read it. Just makes no ing sense when saw it. You give them the benefit of the doubt but not us and you then make your judgement off of that biased take got.

Sorry, I forgot you can't understand anything but emotes. What I should have said was: I don't think their defense is good enough without Duncan in the middle, and Dabom is a dumb .


There... now even you can understand it.

[GSH]

You give them the benefit of the doubt but not us

Oh, and I didn't give anyone the "benefit of the doubt". He raised a valid point, and I acknowledged it. Unlike you, I don't keep clinging to something I said, if someone says something better.

Learn from it.

[dabom]

I'm eating right now so ima let you slide on this one.

[Mnky]

Sorry, I forgot you can't understand anything but emotes. What I should have said was: I don't think their defense is good enough without Duncan in the middle, and Dabom is a dumb .


There... now even you can understand it.

emote 4 the win tbh.

[GSH]

I'm eating right now so ima let you slide on this one.

Ima try and make this easy for you:

The Spurs are shooting a LOT fewer 3's than most teams. They can still win, IMO, if they play good enough D and limit their opponents' 3P attempts. With Duncan out, I don't think they can play good enough defense to do that. So the original point that the Spurs need to shoot (and hit) more 3-pointers is probably valid.

I disagreed at first, but didn't take Duncan into account. After he brought that up, I had to change my mind. I don't think they are going to be able to focus on running people off the 3P line as well as they were when Duncan was on the floor. And as a result they will probably need a little more "juice" in their offensive game, in the form of more 3PA's per possession.

Still just one guy's opinion, and worth what you pay for it.

[YGWHI]

http://nyloncalculus.com/2016/02/17/...-3-and-d-ness/

Good to see Kawhi, Manu, Patty, Danny and Simms there but Warriors still have four players over our guys and the Spurs have only one over them.

[HarlemHeat37]

http://nyloncalculus.com/2016/02/17/...-3-and-d-ness/

Good to see Kawhi, Manu, Patty, Danny and Simms there but Warriors still have four players over our guys and the Spurs have only one over them.

Warriors have 2 that are > league average 3s and DRPM..Spurs have 2, as well..

[Kawhitstorm]

"Klay Thompson is an ELITE defender"- (c) Media

[ceperez]

"Klay Thompson is an ELITE defender"- (c) Media

Do you even know how to read this chart?!

[TD 21]

"Klay Thompson is an ELITE defender"- (c) Media

The majority of the media knows next to nothing about team defense. All you have to do is pull a Vujacic (or Bryant, when the spirit moves him) and appear to be hounding an opposing ball handler and they automatically think you're a good defender, particularly if you look the part, like Simmons.

[Kawhitstorm]

Do you even know how to read this chart?!

Big Dummy, you missed the part about how I was mocking the media.

[YGWHI]

Not bad at all...

[SPURt]

Not bad at all...

That's interesting! I never would've pegged the Bullets to lead the league. Also it shows the Warriors were taking bad shots and making them.

[Spurtacular]

I've found the Spurs lack of three point shooting trend somewhat disturbing. I think Pop is trying to take advantage of a high percentage shot vs. low percentage shot model, though.

[Solid D]

Yes, it was a bit concerning last season. It made it tough against teams like the Warriors and OKC, and probably the Cavs, too, the way they shot 3s in the playoffs.

True, the Spurs were a mid-range game team. They shot a great percentage, both from the arc and inside the arc. Their PACE was tied for 25th.

The reason the Spurs won 67 games last season was they were #1 in team defensive rating. They led the +/- stats most of the year until the end of the season where they ended up 2nd at +10.6 to the Warriors +10.8. So, can the Spurs beat the Warriors with that? They only did once last season. This season may be different. We can't say the Spurs haven't targeted 3-point shooters in the offseason. Even Pau started shooting about 1 per game last season. So maybe those numbers will change somewhat this season. They still won't come close to the Warriors' 13 attempts/game, if GS repeats that trend...but, that's because I don't see the Spurs changing their PACE dramatically.

[TD 21]

That's interesting! I never would've pegged the Bullets to lead the league. Also it shows the Warriors were taking bad shots and making them.

I'm not surprised. Wall is the best in the league at driving and kicking.

Yes, it was a bit concerning last season. It made it tough against teams like the Warriors and OKC, and probably the Cavs, too, the way they shot 3s in the playoffs.

True, the Spurs were a mid-range game team. They shot a great percentage, both from the arc and inside the arc. Their PACE was tied for 25th.

The reason the Spurs won 67 games last season was they were #1 in team defensive rating. They led the +/- stats most of the year until the end of the season where they ended up 2nd at +10.6 to the Warriors +10.8. So, can the Spurs beat the Warriors with that? They only did once last season. This season may be different. We can't say the Spurs haven't targeted 3-point shooters in the offseason. Even Pau started shooting about 1 per game last season. So maybe those numbers will change somewhat this season. They still won't come close to the Warriors' 13 attempts/game, if GS repeats that trend...but, that's because I don't see the Spurs changing their PACE dramatically.

It was a massive concern and it will be again because until proven otherwise, they have not added a single decent or better, high volume three-point shooter, to the rotation.

The Warriors can't be beaten without an explosive offense. The Spurs played impeccable defense in the two home games last season, yet still barely managed to pull out the first (Warriors were 2nd night of back to back, without Bogut and Iguodala, plus Spurs had motivational advantage, having been blown out by 30 in previous meeting) and lost the second in an inevitable few minute flurry where the Warriors got loose.

Not only is having to play hyper focused defense for 48 minutes physically and mentally exhausting, but it hurts the offense too.

[Solid D]

I'm not surprised. Wall is the best in the league at driving and kicking.




It was a massive concern and it will be again because until proven otherwise, they have not added a single decent or better, high volume three-point shooter, to the rotation.

The Warriors can't be beaten without an explosive offense. The Spurs played impeccable defense in the two home games last season, yet still barely managed to pull out the first (Warriors were 2nd night of back to back, without Bogut and Iguodala, plus Spurs had motivational advantage, having been blown out by 30 in previous meeting) and lost the second in an inevitable few minute flurry where the Warriors got loose.

Not only is having to play hyper focused defense for 48 minutes physically and mentally exhausting, but it hurts the offense too.

If explosive offense = shooting 13 threes/game, (not really, but) then that won't be the Spurs. But, I don't think you are saying that. Being efficient in the trips they have will certainly help and defending 48 minutes will require a great bench effort...and who knows how that will turn out this early in the process? But injuries happen and opportunities arise in any sport. I'm looking forward to seeing what happens.

[TD 21]

If explosive offense = shooting 13 threes/game, (not really, but) then that won't be the Spurs. But, I don't think you are saying that. Being efficient in the trips they have will certainly help and defending 48 minutes will require a great bench effort...and who knows how that will turn out this early in the process? But injuries happen and opportunities arise in any sport. I'm looking forward to seeing what happens.

They were 3rd in efficiency last season, but they lacked the ability to go off for a bunch of points in a short burst. Against the contenders, they struggled mightily to blow games and make up big deficits.

Considering they're back to playing at a glacial pace and can't get to the line to save their lives, volume three-point shooting is a must.

[MaNu4Tres]

They were 3rd in efficiency last season, but they lacked the ability to go off for a bunch of points in a short burst. Against the contenders, they struggled mightily to blow games and make up big deficits.

Considering they're back to playing at a glacial pace and can't get to the line to save their lives, volume three-point shooting is a must.

Volume three point shooting won't be there unless the bigs dive in PnRs -- its the action that opens up the weakside of the floor. It's the action that makes passing an important weapon as the defense has to move, bend and break. With the pick and Pop long 2 action ( which we saw a TON last year with Aldridge/West + TDs and Boris' decline to dive effectively), passing or swinging the ball to the weakside isn't as potent as the weakside spot up shooters are typically guarded by balanced defenders instead of being guarded by a late or off balanced close out.

I'm surprised people still ignore this after I've posted about it ad nauseam.

Adding just another shooter won't increase the attempts, unless the actions in the offense change to more of the 13'-15' style. Having Dedmon take on Wests' minutes should increase the attempts -- especially for the 2nd unit.