PtC: The Spurs may be returning to The Beautiful Game

[Chinook]

I think people tend to confuse Spurs 2014 BG with today Warriors BG.

The Spurs didn't rely on 3's the way that Warriors do now but what people often forget that Spurs BG was a collective-team answer to Parker's injury.

For example, we didn't see many of BG in the 2014 regular season nor in the 1st round against Mavs.

Of course the Spurs should shoot more 3's for mathematical reasons like others said here. But can they return to the BG? I doubt. There are many key pieces that this team would miss to play that way.

I don't think it was just about Parker. The BG was largely what the United Nations bench ran. I agree that the starters started doing it more to compensate for Parker, just as the team without Kawhi is doing it more in the pre-season. But the "good to great" mantra can come back if everyone invests in it. Seeing guys like Gay and Lauvergne embrace it so quic is heartening. You can't make up for what Tim and Boris brought, though. And , Tiago, Jack, T-Mac and a lot of other guys committed to it while in SA.

Can't also forget Beli and how well he and Manu played off each other. Team hasn't come close to replacing that.

[Chinook]

Why are you bringing up Manu?

It's much the same, but Joff's passing rating in 2k is probably 30 points lower.

[YGWHI]

You can't make up for what Tim and Boris brought, though. And , Tiago...Can't also forget Beli and how well he and Manu played off each other. Team hasn't come close to replacing that.

Exactly.

[SAGirl]

I don't think it was just about Parker. The BG was largely what the United Nations bench ran. I agree that the starters started doing it more to compensate for Parker, just as the team without Kawhi is doing it more in the pre-season. But the "good to great" mantra can come back if everyone invests in it. Seeing guys like Gay and Lauvergne embrace it so quic is heartening. You can't make up for what Tim and Boris brought, though. And , Tiago, Jack, T-Mac and a lot of other guys committed to it while in SA.

Can't also forget Beli and how well he and Manu played off each other. Team hasn't come close to replacing that.

And they may need to start heading in a different direction bc Manu shouldn't be playing that many minutes anyways...
I'd like to see the Spurs develop and search what the rest of this roster can give rather bring the exact BG back, but a different version of it can happen with different guys.

I defined personally the BG thing as an unselfish way of playing. So, to me other teams have embraced different versions of it, but GSW blew it up with an explosion in 3 pt shooting that is unprecendented.

Here's Pop on the 3 pt shot:

No matter how he's won championships b4, he has to embrace the reality of the game right now.

[Seventyniner]

No matter how he's won championships b4, he has to embrace the reality of the game right now.

Pop has proven to be one of the best at adjusting the team to the reality of the league.

[cutewizard]

mAY THE SPURS evolve!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[cutewizard]

For comparison purposes:

[cutewizard]

[cutewizard]

[SAGirl]

Pop has proven to be one of the best at adjusting the team to the reality of the league.

That is why I put that quote there. In it, he's precisely saying how he doesn't really like to be shoehorned to play a 3 pt chucking style but hast to, basically.

[diego]

Damn watching those vids just makes you miss Duncan bad...

[BillMc]

Damn watching those vids just makes you miss Duncan bad...

+1 billion

[bklynspursfan]

Pop has proven to be one of the best at adjusting the team to the reality of the league.

I was just going to say the same, he's always adjusted the team/style of play to how the current state of the league is, regardless of whether he likes it or not. He's had similar quotes before and after the 2014 run I believe stating he doesn't like it, but understands you have to embrace it to a certain degree. It obviously played a huge role in the teams success in 2013/2014

[duncan2k5]

This thread has shown me not many ppl know the difference between a double team and help defense...

[duncan2k5]

Stop comparing us to Golden state when it comes to threes... They are great because at any given moment, 4 or 5 ppl on their court can either shoot a three, or take it to the hole and finish... We have either shooters, or sashes... We have MAYBE 4 guys on the roster that can do both... And one is 40...we just aren't as quick and versatile

[Chinook]

This thread has shown me not many ppl know the difference between a double team and help defense...

We do know the difference between a counter-argument and moving the goalposts, though.

[Phenomanul]

Bump: I haven't seen it unleashed yet (small sample size I know).

[Chinook]

Bump: I haven't seen it unleashed yet (small sample size I know).

PtR may as well stand for Putrid Takes, Recurring.

[Phenomanul]

PtR may as well stand for Putrid Takes, Recurring.

They didn't realize that Boris and Tiago's passing ability (and to a lesser extent Marco Belinelli's unheralded cutting skill) is what allowed that offense to work. Duncan was a superb passer as well. Ginobili's and Parker's ball-handling was crucial to that offense. Green's, Mills', Belinelli's, and Ginobili's threat from deep provided the spacing.

[cutewizard]

[cutewizard]

[cutewizard]

https://www.poundingtherock.com/2017...ingspan-future

[DAF86]

As long as we keep playing Gasol and Aldridge together and one of either Tony or Murray see significant time we won't be shooting threes at the clip we need to, to trully contend against GS.

Yeee... Nop.

[DaBears]

I love the beautiful game even the GSW version and I loved how the Spurs have played in preseason but the 3 pt shot is becoming op. There’s going to be a point where one questions why it should be valued higher. There are more and more shooters capable of taking the shot and it’s almost as easy for them as making a layup over contested hands for someone else. I am not heavily versed in analytics but it also feels unfair a foul at the 3 pt line is worth more than a foul on a 2, even a strong slapping if someone close to the basket. There’s just a lot that doesn’t feel right about it and when every team is going to be jacking up 35-40 3s per game (according to future projections) just to be able to compete offensively then one starts to feel like it’s just too much. I don’t think the NBA is there yet, but you can see where they are heading.

Just wait till KL gets back... Then its going to be like watching mud dry...

J/K.. KL is the our MELO... -- NOT........... KL will look to get others involved more moving the ball around.. I am sure he & LMA had talks about how to make it work with each other.

[Chinook]

I think PtR may have accidentally stumbled on a good topic. The BG isn't coming back due to shooting (because, , they aren't shooting well in the first place). But the potential for it to come back is there. If Green's game holds up, the team will have more competent slashers than they have recently. Danny, Patty, Kyle, Bryn and DeJounte just need to be locked in mentally at the right time, and the team needs to have the right at ude scheme-wise for it to happen. But seeing a Green who not only drives for the first time in six years but who also is moving without the ball a ton more than he has since 2014-2015 gives hope. Playing small as a default should help as well. Kyle has always been keen to dump off to other bigs, and Rudy is at least trying to fit in with that too.

I'm not saying it's going to come back, but you could totally see Kawhi posting up, Tony's man helping so Kawhi passes to Parker, who drives and kicks to Green, who attacks the close-out and dumps to Gay, who scoops to LMA for an open dunk. That actually seems realistic now, which is kind of amazing considering that they didn't get the penetrating guard I have been pushing for for years now.