Spurs' defense = reason for concern..

[DMC]

I think Pop first coined the phrase "fools gold". I might be mistaken.
But I think our record is that because the Spurs are not paying focused attention to defense, and might even think they can win it all just on their offense and record alone and get lazy.
Fools Gold.

The Spurs didn't get forum stupid over the summer. They know they have to play solid defense, but their offense is strong and their defense it what it is.

Pop did not coin that phrase. It's older than Jesus.

[SenorSpur]

Count me in as one who believes the defense is cause for concern. I don't believe this situation will magically solve itself over the regular season. Against an opponent with an offensive player, of superstar ability, it becomes more glaring.

It goes without saying that the Spurs MUST improve their defense, their ability to get stops down the stretch of quarters and games. Since they cannot defend the rim as well anymore, it's essential that they get better play on the perimeter. This isn't happening.

I don't know how they're going to do it or if they desire to import a more stout perimeter defender. However, if the Spurs desire to be the last team standing, I don't think they can ignore what we saw tonight.

[DMC]

I'm less concerned about the big 3, although simply playing them more minutes, seems a bit, well simple. This ain't 2005/2007. There's no Horry or even Oberto, but rather Dice and...

I guess it a bit strange that even with our record, it's hard to say what we can expect in the PO. I'd feel better if we were playing better, improved D as the season grinds on. Hope to see it after the all-star break.

The year of Oberto and Horry, we went 4-4 during the RR trip. We won the ring that year, worst RR trip ever.

[DesignatedT]

Pretty useless trying to compare this years squad to what we had back in our championship years. We have such a different type of team. Fact is nobody really knows how were going to fare in the playoffs with this new style of play because we have never seen this from us before. Makes for good discussion though.

[itzsoweezee]

3pt fg% isn't any kind of revealing stat. 3 pt fgs allowed, however, is.

[DMC]

Count me in as one who believe the defense is a concern. I don't believe this concern will magically solve itself over the regular season.

It goes without saying that the Spurs MUST improve their defense, their ability to get stops down the stretch of quarters and games. Since they cannot defend the rim as well anymore, it's essential that they get better play on the perimeter. This isn't happening.

I don't know how they're going to do it or if they desire to import a more stout perimeter defender. However, if the Spurs desire to be the last team standing, I don't think they can ignore what we saw tonight.

It won't solve itself. You are right. I think there's better defense in the Spurs rotation however, it's just not being utilized. Tiago plays decent defense, but he's not a scoring machine.

We can acquire a defensive big man to shore up the boards and get stops, that would allow Bonner to stay outside (he's pretty useless inside anyhow) and keep Blair out of foul trouble at the PF position.

[ElNono]

I'm less concerned about the big 3, although simply playing them more minutes, seems a bit, well simple. This ain't 2005/2007. There's no Horry or even Oberto, but rather Dice and...

I guess it a bit strange that even with our record, it's hard to say what we can expect in the PO. I'd feel better if we were playing better, improved D as the season grinds on. Hope to see it after the all-star break.

Don't get me wrong, I'll take whatever improvement we can get.
I just don't think we can be a lockdown team anymore. I don't think Pop believes that either, and that's why he put the onus on improving the offense. Sometimes personnel dictates what your strength is going to be.
That said, the less 30+ point quarters for the other team I see from here on out, the better.

[DMC]

3pt fg% isn't any kind of revealing stat. 3 pt fgs allowed, however, is.

Not really.

It all depends on how many points came off those.

10 losses at the break is the best stat of them all.

[DMC]

Pretty useless trying to compare this years squad to what we had back in our championship years. We have such a different type of team. Fact is nobody really knows how were going to fare in the playoffs with this new style of play because we have never seen this from us before. Makes for good discussion though.

Bite your tongue son, we have the greatest basketball minds of all time here. Surely Wooden's ghost resides here.

[HarlemHeat37]

I don't think the Spurs are going to, or have to be, a lockdown defensive team..they aren't going to be Miami, Boston or Chicago, but if they can build some consistent D, especially against good teams, it'll go a long way, since the Spurs have the best offensive of any of these teams..

Balance wins les, obviously..

[Cessation]

Classic Bonner overplay, 0-3, 3 fouls in 26 min, lol.

[xmas1997]

Count me in as one who believes the defense is cause for concern. I don't believe this situation will magically solve itself over the regular season. Against an opponent with an offensive player, of superstar ability, it becomes more glaring.

It goes without saying that the Spurs MUST improve their defense, their ability to get stops down the stretch of quarters and games. Since they cannot defend the rim as well anymore, it's essential that they get better play on the perimeter. This isn't happening.

I don't know how they're going to do it or if they desire to import a more stout perimeter defender. However, if the Spurs desire to be the last team standing, I don't think they can ignore what we saw tonight.

Yup, I think most realistic Spurs fans especially those who have followed this team over the years through their up times and their down times are deeply concerned now about their defensive ability this year regardless of their record.
They MUST improve their defense and should have by now.
Honestly, I hate to say this, but I think it is going to take a trade to do it and that is not what I wanted to happen.

[DMC]

You guys have to admit that if we don't beat the Suns in 2007, they probably win it all with no defense.

[SenorSpur]

The two components that made the Spurs such a superior defensive team in their heyday were tthe ability to "man-up" on the perimeter (Bowen), and the ability to challenge shots and protect the rim (Robinson and Duncan).

However with the retirement of Robinson, the decline in Duncan's lateral movement and the departure of Bowen, have all attributed to a sharp decline in the Spurs defense.

No one is suggesting for a minute that the Spurs can become a lockdown defensive team again. However, it obvious that since they cannot protect the rim as well, the only logical solution is to improve on the perimeter.

The NBA is full of offensive-minded wing and perimeter players. In fact, it has more of those than good big men. If the Spurs had at least one player with the enough length and lateral footspeed to frustrate and stay in front of these type of players, it would be a dramatic improvement.

[Capt Bringdown]

You guys have to admit that if we don't beat the Suns in 2007, they probably win it all with no defense.

Not sure, but I do admit that we weren't capable of beating the Mavs that year. Thanks, Golden State!

[spurs10]

Are we just a bit slow on our rotations or is it mental errors? We are allowing too many good shots on nights like this. I realize the Bulls are a better team than the Nets, but we looked like a different team from Monday.

[DMC]

Not sure, but I do admit that we weren't capable of beating the Mavs that year. Thanks, Golden State!

We sweep the Finals, but squeek by the Suns (sorta). The Suns would have crushed the one man operation in Cleveland.

[Capt Bringdown]

If the Spurs had at least one player with the enough length and lateral footspeed to frustrate and stay in front of these type of players, it would be a dramatic improvement.

Unfortunately these kinds of players are born and not made. If it was a matter of just shifting concentration to offense to defense, we'd be able to find or develop a replacement for Bowen. Bowen - man, was he special.

[DMC]

Are we just a bit slow on our rotations or is it mental errors? We are allow too many good shots on nights like this. I realize the Bulls are a better team than the Nets, but we looked like a different team from Monday.

It's all in the point of view. A good shot is one that is made. Teams miss good looks all the time.

If you have Bogans shooting 3s, you are doing ok. Make Rose be a jumpshooter, we did ok with that but not great. The other guys with the offensive putbacks and the ticky tack foul calls and bull turnovers in crucial situations has to change, but we didnt' turn it over a lot and they just shot the ball well.

[DMC]

Unfortunately these kinds of players are born and not made. If it was a matter of just shifting concentration to offense to defense, we'd be able to find or develop a replacement for Bowen. Bowen - man, was he special.

He was, but our record is much better now than it ever was with Bowen.

We are doing fine. You cannot have your cake and eat it too. We aren't the 72:10 Bulls. We've never been that. No one else has.

[xmas1997]

We sweep the Finals, but squeek by the Suns (sorta). The Suns would have crushed the one man operation in Cleveland.

But the reality is it took a great defensive team (Spurs), to beat a great offensive team (Suns).
The reality is this, if the Spurs want a championship this year, then they are somehow someway going to have to transform themselves into a great defensive team. IMHO that is what it will take. And unfortunately so far they haven't shown that they are capable of it yet.

[SenorSpur]

But the reality is it took a great defensive team (Spurs), to beat a great offensive team (Suns).
The reality is this, if the Spurs want a championship this year, then they are somehow someway going to have to transform themselves into a great defensive team. IMHO that is what it will take. And unfortunately so far they haven't shown that they are capable of it yet.

I don't know that the Spurs have to transform into a great defensive team. In fact, I don't know that it's possible. However, they do have to become a consistently above-average defensive team. It's imperative they can get stops when needed, in order to squeeze out their opponents during the late stretches of quarters and games.

[Sean Cagney]

The year of Oberto and Horry, we went 4-4 during the RR trip. We won the ring that year, worst RR trip ever.

What the does that have to do with this year? It's the past now, we can compare it all we want but we don't have a younger Tim or Manu like we did then! Nor do we have a Bowen either.

[xmas1997]

I don't know that the Spurs have to transform into a great defensive team. In fact, I don't know that it's possible. However, they do have to become a consistently above-average defensive team. It's imperative they can get stops when needed, in order to squeeze out their opponents during the late stretches of quarters and games.

I agree, but unfortunately they are still not showing indications that they CAN become an above average defensive team with the personnel they presently have.
And we have very few bargaining chips.
Tiago? We need him for our future, we will get no big better than him for a long while.
Anderson, Quinn, and Neal unfortunately are the only ones who will bring something in return and Quinn just barely.
I hate to trade Anderson or Neal, but one of those plus a 1st round draft pick may be the only way we can get a good enough player like Mbah a Moute to help transform the Spurs into an above average defensive team.

[Hoops Czar]

I don't think the Spurs are going to, or have to be, a lockdown defensive team..they aren't going to be Miami, Boston or Chicago, but if they can build some consistent D, especially against good teams, it'll go a long way, since the Spurs have the best offensive of any of these teams..

Balance wins les, obviously..

If they can't stop your opponent, you can't win. Hoping and praying the opponent misses shots is not the answer. The Spurs are winging it plain and simple. The Spurs defense hasn't improved over the last 10- 15 games, the schedule did. If you haven't noticed, every team has been employing the same strategy for some time... TAKE IT TO THE HOLE!