Why can't we defend last second shots?

[ElNono]

How about our O going completely dead in the last minute again and the ISO! Thats what concerns me, period. This is not new either, it has happened now for a while. Watch the games and you will see more of it.

There just have been very little contributions from anyone not named TP, TD or Manu in the last few minutes of recent games. Kawhi *might* be the exception, but I would have to check the game logs. And I'm not talking about a spot up shot, but players actually being involved in the offense. We struggled to score in the last quarter against Denver (17 pts), Clippers (19 pts) and tonight (22 pts). It gets compounded when TP, TD or Manu miss shots, which are the guys you expect the most from.

Some people will say tonight was a bad matchup for Tiago, but I actually expected him to cause the bad matchup for Miami by imposing his size. It's one of the areas where the Spurs will need to analyze how to exploit better (I'm talking overall, not just against Miami). He took only 4 shots, but he did get the ball, he just didn't really assert himself. Something else I asked a few months ago is if the Spurs are too reliant on the pick and roll? Some teams (like Miami) are really good at covering that, so you'll need some more variety. Guys like Neal, Green and Kawhi all seem to have a decent mid-range, so there should be no reason not to run a few curls for them.

Overall, I think the defense is where it needs to be. The offense has regressed, but I don't see any reason why it can't improve. Maybe it won't be at last season's level, but I don't think it needs to be either.

[Sean Cagney]

There just have been very little contributions from anyone not named TP, TD or Manu in the last few minutes of recent games. Kawhi *might* be the exception, but I would have to check the game logs. And I'm not talking about a spot up shot, but players actually being involved in the offense. We struggled to score in the last quarter against Denver (17 pts), Clippers (19 pts) and tonight (22 pts). It gets compounded when TP, TD or Manu miss shots, which are the guys you expect the most from.

Some people will say tonight was a bad matchup for Tiago, but I actually expected him to cause the bad matchup for Miami by imposing his size. It's one of the areas where the Spurs will need to analyze how to exploit better (I'm talking overall, not just against Miami). He took only 4 shots, but he did get the ball, he just didn't really assert himself. Something else I asked a few months ago is if the Spurs are too reliant on the pick and roll? Some teams (like Miami) are really good at covering that, so you'll need some more variety. Guys like Neal, Green and Kawhi all seem to have a decent mid-range, so there should be no reason not to run a few curls for them.

Overall, I think the defense is where it needs to be. The offense has regressed, but I don't see any reason why it can't improve. Maybe it won't be at last season's level, but I don't think it needs to be either.

D has fallen off some lately, check the January to now Stats, it has fallen off so that is not a good sign! It is not horrible but not where it needs to be, it was but they need to get back there. I do see a reason why the O can't improve! Keep up the same BS Iso plays down the stretch or POP and his drawn up last play to Manu he used one game that worked, teams caught on and cut it off now! Thats the problem. They need to get more creative, free some up late and run actual plays, not just a last second bailout prayer shot that you hope goes in! It does at times, but against Houston and tonight it did not work.

[ElNono]

D has fallen off some lately, check the January to now Stats, it has fallen off so that is not a good sign!

I posted this 4 days ago:

Depends where you split... if it's over the last 20 games, we're 5th in defensive rating...

Over the last 10 games, 15th (very likely the Portland game killing us on this one)

Over the last 5, 8th

Over the last 3, 5th again...

So apparently we're playing good D again after TP came back...

For comparison, last season during March we were ranked #9 in defensive efficiency.

[ElNono]

Don't forget the schedule matters too... we're playing playoff teams that are ramping up for the playoffs right now, or teams fighting for a playoff spot.

[Sean Cagney]

Don't forget the schedule matters too... we're playing playoff teams that are ramping up for the playoffs right now, or teams fighting for a playoff spot.

Denver did not have Lawson and the Heat did not have Wade or James, that counts too. I know the schedule is tougher yes, but seriously if you think the D does not need some work then okay so be it! They have kept us in games though when the O goes to , which is a fact lately it has gone to complete late in games and thats my main concern in all reality. I don't think we have the superstar to carry us in a series or take over a game anymore! The bench lately has fallen off as well! I feel this is reality.

[therealtruth]

There just have been very little contributions from anyone not named TP, TD or Manu in the last few minutes of recent games. Kawhi *might* be the exception, but I would have to check the game logs. And I'm not talking about a spot up shot, but players actually being involved in the offense. We struggled to score in the last quarter against Denver (17 pts), Clippers (19 pts) and tonight (22 pts). It gets compounded when TP, TD or Manu miss shots, which are the guys you expect the most from.

Some people will say tonight was a bad matchup for Tiago, but I actually expected him to cause the bad matchup for Miami by imposing his size. It's one of the areas where the Spurs will need to analyze how to exploit better (I'm talking overall, not just against Miami). He took only 4 shots, but he did get the ball, he just didn't really assert himself. Something else I asked a few months ago is if the Spurs are too reliant on the pick and roll? Some teams (like Miami) are really good at covering that, so you'll need some more variety. Guys like Neal, Green and Kawhi all seem to have a decent mid-range, so there should be no reason not to run a few curls for them.

Overall, I think the defense is where it needs to be. The offense has regressed, but I don't see any reason why it can't improve. Maybe it won't be at last season's level, but I don't think it needs to be either.

Good points. Let's hope Pop can make the adjustments when the time comes and not just rely on Ginobili or even possibly Bonner.

[Sean Cagney]

Good points. Let's hope Pop can make the adjustments when the time comes and not just rely on Ginobili or even possibly Bonner.

Oh if he relies on BONNER you already know!!!!!!!!!!! WE are done. Lets hope POP gets his head outta his ass and gets good rotations going for the playoffs and can draw up better plays at the end of games! I am less than impressed with his drawn up plays to say the least and he does go to one too many times and teams caught on! The one to Ginobili that was good to tie that one game against GSW to send it to OT, he went to that a few times after that lol. He needs to get creative.

[ElNono]

Denver did not have Lawson and the Heat did not have Wade or James, that counts too. I know the schedule is tougher yes, but seriously if you think the D does not need some work then okay so be it! They have kept us in games though when the O goes to , which is a fact lately it has gone to complete late in games and thats my main concern in all reality. I don't think we have the superstar to carry us in a series or take over a game anymore! The bench lately has fallen off as well! I feel this is reality.

Well, they're all NBA teams. Our bench dropped 100 on the Heat in Miami with Wade and James, and Miami is arguably a great defensive team. Maybe it was a fluke game.
Numbers say the Spurs D is extremely reliant on Duncan-Splitter-Kawhi being out there, so let's hope those guys stay healthy and can keep it up in the playoffs. We're going to need that if the O doesn't make strides.

The 'not having a superstar to carry us' concern was there since game 1 in the regular season and has been there since TD has gotten older. Not sure why it's more alarming this season than, say, last season.

[Sean Cagney]

Well, they're all NBA teams. Our bench dropped 100 on the Heat in Miami with Wade and James, and Miami is arguably a great defensive team. Maybe it was a fluke game.
Numbers say the Spurs D is extremely reliant on Duncan-Splitter-Kawhi being out there, so let's hope those guys stay healthy and can keep it up in the playoffs. We're going to need that if the O doesn't make strides.

The 'not having a superstar to carry us' concern was there since game 1 in the regular season and has been there since TD has gotten older. Not sure why it's more alarming this season than, say, last season.

I agree, so in other words you are basically saying what I am in but saying it differently! This is not a le team but if stars align they might have a shot! We had the stars align last year IMO! Shortened year and huge run a the end, fell short but it was fun! This year I don't see that later on, but hey can it happen? With Manu out and the bench not playing well no! But it can happen if all goes well. I feel this team is good yes, but not great! They can beat anyone out West with a good series, but they can lose a first round or second round as well IMO, it's up in the air. I hate relying on the three alot and ISO late, that scares me as as fan. What a good debate to be having this late huh? Rather than fighting for the 8th seed lol.

[ElNono]

I agree, so in other words you are basically saying what I am in but saying it differently! This is not a le team but if stars align they might have a shot! We had the stars align last year IMO! Shortened year and huge run a the end, fell short but it was fun! This year I don't see that later on, but hey can it happen? With Manu out and the bench not playing well no! But it can happen if all goes well. I feel this team is good yes, but not great! They can beat anyone out West with a good series, but they can lose a first round or second round as well IMO, it's up in the air. I hate relying on the three alot and ISO late, that scares me as as fan. What a good debate to be having this late huh? Rather than fighting for the 8th seed lol.

I'm a firm believer in D >>> O every time, especially playoffs. I think some things aligned properly for us last season (short season, not as tiring, ejected the RJ cancer, some hungry contributors in Diaw and Jack, Kawhi being more than just your regular rook, mostly no injuries in the playoffs). The lack of stops eventually came back to haunt us. I think this team is better prepared to make those stops. We'll see if it matters when the playoffs roll around.

Always enjoy a good chat. Alas, it's time to sleep here, so we'll continue another time

[Sean Cagney]

I'm a firm believer in D >>> O every time, especially playoffs. I think some things aligned properly for us last season (short season, not as tiring, ejected the RJ cancer, some hungry contributors in Diaw and Jack, Kawhi being more than just your regular rook, mostly no injuries in the playoffs). The lack of stops eventually came back to haunt us. I think this team is better prepared to make those stops. We'll see if it matters when the playoffs roll around.

Always enjoy a good chat. Alas, it's time to sleep here, so we'll continue another time

We are not the juggernaut D team we were in our Spurs prime, don't even go near that there man! But I agree on D! You still need your clutch guys though in big games as proven ALOT OF TIMES! ALOT of times. Last year we are on a huge roll at this time! I hope they can get near that now. Good chat as you said! PEACE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ElNono]

We are not the juggernaut D team we were in our Spurs prime, don't even go near that there man! But I agree on D!

I never said that, and we don't have the personnel to be that. For the personnel we have, this is probably close to as good as it's going to get. Looking at the rest of the west, outside of Memphis, it's probably good enough.

[TheGoldStandard]

It's as if they practice being out of position during practice. Okay you both have to rotate over and leave that guy wide open, we'll make a pathetic attempt to close out on him when the ball is already up in the air.

[Sean Cagney]

It's as if they practice being out of position during practice. Okay you both have to rotate over and leave that guy wide open, we'll make a pathetic attempt to close out on him when the ball is already up in the air.

Yep and that is what it was, he was not covered well yesterday and he ran out to put a hand up there, but it was too late he sized it up and hit that shot dead on because it was a good look. That last shot was not D'ed well and Elliott voiced that as well after the shot went in.

[mute]

lol

[justinandimcool]

lolllllllllll

[Brunodf]

Neal being in the rotation has hurt this team a lot

[Boomersgold]

LOL.

[siraulo23]

[Boomersgold]

Neal being in the rotation has hurt this team a lot

Neal wasn't even on the court when Conley made that shot. He was also a +11 in +/-. I don't think Neal's the one to blame for this loss.

[hater]

not getting stops when needed is sign of a weak team weak mentally

1st round exit imo

[ElNono]

hard to defend without your best defenders...

[TrainOfThought5]

Isnt Danny Green supposed to be good at defense?

[TD 21]

This team is a joke. No poise, no mental toughness, apparently no coaching down the stretch of close games anymore. They don't even bother to run a play, because apparently they like having their banged up PG go 1-on-5 against the 2nd best defense in the league and shoot off balance, contested jumpers. Those are always high percentage shots.

After they piss away the 1 seed by getting blown away against the Thunder, they're going to limp in and either narrowly escape the 1st round or further embarrass themselves and get eliminated during it again.

[spurraider21]

not getting stops when needed is sign of a weak team weak mentally

1st round exit imo

Bonner and Diaw in the game in the closing seconds giving up a game winning layup tbh. NOTHING to do with team's mental strength.

You really think Conley gets that shot up while Tim is in there protecting the rim? gtf outta here