Wing Stopper

[bigdog]

Random fact: I met James Anderson at BWW on DeZavala in January.

I know that has nothing to do with this thread.....or maybe it does. Whatever.

[mingus]

George Hill has turned into a very good iso defender, which is what we hoped. The problem is he, nor anyone on this team can guard off the ball players very well, which is the one reason Ray Allen went off on us. So yeah against Boston I thought that was a vulnerability that cost us the game.

[ElNono]

ElNono, guys like Nowitzki and Odom have nothing to do with the wing defenders. They're power forwards.

They don't play like you classical power forwards though. They play a perimeter/midrange game. Especially Odom, who has played the wing while Gasol/Bynum man the interior.

They're rare matchups though. And guys like Dirk are hard to stop no matter who you throw at him.

[SsKSpurs21]

The Wing Stopper

you must get through him to getcho wings!

[HarlemHeat37]

It's still a concern IMO, but having the wing stopper is no longer essential, as the Spurs potential compe ion doesn't have any dynamic wing scorers, unless the Spurs play the Heat in the Finals, which would be a cause for concern IMO..overall, the Spurs' D still concerns me..

The Spurs problem will be quick players that play off the dribble, and/or players that play primarily through screens..only Miami and Boston possess these types of impact players, and I'm fairly certain Pop would figure out a way to combat Ray Allen..

Some points:

- Jefferson's D is the same IMO..his statistical impact on the D is actually worse than last year, which isn't concrete proof, but he is far from the reason the Spurs' defense is better IMO..

- The Spurs' offense deserves a lot of credit, they are constantly putting pressure on the opposing defense, they control the tempo, and a forgotten key, is the fact that the opposing team's perimeter star(Kobe, Anthony, etc) can not roam on defense, like teams would previously do against the Spurs(Ime, Bogans, not needing quick rotations to close out on old players like Finley, even Bruce at the end), so they have to expand energy in guarding guys like Jefferson and Hill..the Spurs no longer have a weak link on offense, the opposing team can no longer have players that relax on the defensive end, vs. the Spurs..

- The Spurs' transition D is averaging 1 less PPG than last year, despite the faster pace..when you compound this with the fact that the Spurs' transition offense is much better, that's a significant swing of points..

- The Spurs' change of pace and addition of quicker players, has allowed them to gamble and swarm more, which has led to a significant increase in steals per game, which leads to fast breaks..

- The Spurs are #1 in the NBA in least fouls per game, which is huge improvement over last year..Blair and Hill in particular, have cut down on their fouls..Hill has improved his D, probably due to less offensive responsibility..

- The Spurs were last in the NBA in isolation defense last season..they aren't much better this year, but Pop seems to have recognized this flaw, and has allowed the D to play a quicker/free style, where they can gamble more and put on more pressure, to make up for the lack of a stopper..

- The Spurs' new style has improved the D in most ways, but it has also led to poor 3-point defense, due to allowing open looks from beyond..this will have to be addressed..

- One of the most important keys, is that the Spurs essentially added by subtraction..eliminating dead weight like Bogans, Finley and Mason was a major factor in this improvement IMO..they hurt the team on both ends of the floor, they didn't allow the Spurs' to play a free-flowing style, they were slow on rotations, they allowed the opposing team's perimeter star to rest on D..

[Solid D]

It's still a concern IMO, but having the wing stopper is no longer essential, as the Spurs potential compe ion doesn't have any dynamic wing scorers, unless the Spurs play the Heat in the Finals, which would be a cause for concern IMO..


- Jefferson's D is the same IMO..his statistical impact on the D is actually worse than last year, which isn't concrete proof, but he is far from the reason the Spurs' defense is better IMO....

Harlem, you and I are in agreement on several points...that is if your term for "swarming" means blitzing or trapping (which is what the Spurs are doing more of this season). It is an essential tactic and the Spurs have the players to do it more effectively now.

I disagree with you on your point about no real dynamic wing scorers as potential compe ion in the playoffs. Whether it's first round or following conference rounds, the Spurs may have to contend with Kevin Durant, Carmello Anthony (if he stays put) and Kobe Bryant. Each of these players are in the top 7 in NBA scoring and demand double attention whenever they get the ball in their hands.

Secondly, I have noticed some major changes in the way RJ approaches his defensive positioning and focus. He plays much stronger on the ball, he very physically plays over screen and his hand positioning and footwork are a page out of Bruce Bowen's primer. It's almost as though Bruce has taken RJ aside and showed him how to become a better defender. RJ has not gotten caught in no-man's land nearly as often as he did last season when he's on the weak side. I credit better focus for that aspect of his team defense.

Otherwise, you make some valid points.

[Seventyniner]

To answer the original question, I ask one of my own. Would you trade Richard Jefferson for Ron Artest?

[HarlemHeat37]

Harlem, you and I are in agreement on several points...that is if your term for "swarming" means blitzing or trapping (which is what the Spurs are doing more of this season). It is an essential tactic and the Spurs have the players to do it more effectively now.

I disagree with you on your point about no real dynamic wing scorers as potential compe ion in the playoffs. Whether it's first round or following conference rounds, the Spurs may have to contend with Kevin Durant, Carmello Anthony (if he stays put) and Kobe Bryant. Each of these players are in the top 7 in NBA scoring and demand double attention whenever they get the ball in their hands.

I should have elaborated when I said that..all 3 of those guys are great players, but I don't think the Spurs' need a "wing stopper" to stop Durant or Kobe..they're both strictly 1 on 1 scorers, they're both strictly jump shooters, neither is particularly athletic or quick..the Spurs usually do a decent job of defending players of that nature..

The Spurs' usually struggle against athleticism, wing players that attack the paint, wing players that move around a lot, at least IMO..Hill does a pretty good job at defending 1 on 1, and Manu has done a great job at defending Kobe 1 on 1 this season, as well..IIRC, Durant has only had 1 monster game vs. the Spurs this season/last season..

Carmelo would probably give the Spurs problems though, so I agree there..

Spurs' will struggle against guys like Lebron, Wade, Deron Williams, Rose, Rondo and other players of that nature..

Players like Ray Allen, that rely on ball movement, will also give the Spurs problems IMO..

Secondly, I have noticed some major changes in the way RJ approaches his defensive positioning and focus. He plays much stronger on the ball, he very physically plays over screen and his hand positioning and footwork are a page out of Bruce Bowen's primer. It's almost as though Bruce has taken RJ aside and showed him how to become a better defender. RJ has not gotten caught in no-man's land nearly as often as he did last season when he's on the weak side. I credit better focus for that aspect of his team defense.

I'll agree that he's made strides as a team defender, after thinking about it..I don't think he's made a significant improvement in 1 on 1 D, but I could be wrong..