Where are the Spurs bleeding?

[GSH]

The Spurs are giving up more points per game than they have since Greg Popovich took over as coach, and their margin of victory is the lowest I can remember. The good news is that they are winning most of their close games. The bad news is that they are involved in way too many of them. The concensus is that they need a young, athletic big man. But as this season progresses, I am worrying more and more about Michael Finley.

The story was that Finley worked hard over the offseason, and entered camp rejuvenated. And his numbers over the first couple of months reflected that. But over his last 15 games, his scoring output has been: 2,3,7,5,20,6,0,8,11,3,3,11,2,3,10. Throw out that one good game at New Orleans as an aberration, and look at the other 14 games in the last month.

In those 14 games for Finley:
He averaged 5.3 points per game, in about 26 minutes per game.
He shot 26-85 from the floor overall, which is just under 30%.
He shot 15-48 (.306) from the 3P line, and 11-37 (.297) on his 2-pointers.

The box score doesn't always tell the whole story, but Finley doesn't pull down a lot of boards, or dish out a lot of assists. And most people would agree that he is not exactly a force on the defensive end. So it seems obvious that the Spurs need some offensive output from him, and they aren't getting it.

To put those numbers into perspective, compare his output to Ime Udoka's - since everyone seems to agree that Ime's production has been so bad that he is a waste of time. I compared the same number of games (14) for Ime, where he got to play at least 5 minutes. (Just because those 1 and 2 minute stretches don't mean much of anything.)

In those 14 games for Ime:
He averaged 4.6 points per game, in about 14 minutes per game.
He shot 24-62 from the floor overall, which is just under 39%.
He shot 8-27 (.296) from the 3P line, and 16-25 (.457) on his 2-pointers.

Over the last month, when Ime has actually gotten into the game, he has scored considerably more points per minute than Finley. He has shot about the same 3P percentage as Finley, on about the same number of attempts per minute. And he has made a much higher percentage of his 2-point attempts. I know it's hard to believe, but as bad as Ime has been, Finley has been worse. And I'm not convinced that Finley's defense has been any better than Ime's, either.

Maybe it's just a slump, or maybe Finley can't handle the number of minutes he has been getting. But I think it is clear that the Spurs could use some help at that spot, on both ends of the floor. I know his experience is valuable, but those numbers leave too big of a hole for the Big 3 to fill - especially on 30% shooting.

My two cents - if the Spurs can't pick up a quality big, they really have to do something about shoring up that position.

[slayermin]

I think Pop is doing the right thing with the starting lineup. Our defense is not as good but our offense is better. Despite my criticism of Michael Finley tonight, he is a player the opposition must account for on defense. He and Bonner spreads the floor for TP and makes double teaming TD tougher. When this team is humming offensively, they are must see tv, as the Chuckster would say.

To beat the Lakers and Celtics, you have to be able to score against them consistently. You can't afford scoring droughts against them because regardless of how good your defense is, they are going to score. I think Pop is building up this team with the Lakers and Celtics in mind. It's gonna come down to knocking down shots in the playoffs because TP and Manu are going to create wide open shots for Bonner, Mason, and Finley.

[Rogue]

I think Pop is doing the right thing with the starting lineup. Our defense is not as good but our offense is better. Despite my criticism of Michael Finley tonight, he is a player the opposition must account for on defense. He and Bonner spreads the floor for TP and makes double teaming TD tougher. When this team is humming offensively, they are must see tv, as the Chuckster would say.

To beat the Lakers and Celtics, you have to be able to score against them consistently. You can't afford scoring droughts against them because regardless of how good your defense is, they are going to score. I think Pop is building up this team with the Lakers and Celtics in mind. It's gonna come down to knocking down shots in the playoffs because TP and Manu are going to create wide open shots for Bonner, Mason, and Finley.

exactly, celtics are always 100% focused on their opponents, launching a 10-0 run the moment the moment they get the chance. Offensively you have to keep your shooting rate above 50% or even 60%, because your defense can hardly lock up all of their big 3 at the same time. otherwise they'll totally demolish you with a 20-3run or 25-6run, and make the entire 4th quarter a garbage time. and lakers for the same matter.

the first thing we must do is to keep up with them till the fourth quarter when their axis 3 get tired and lose some scoring appe e. then it's time for us to build our leading gap with our team work and our benchoff players. we have to store a deeper bench than lakers and celtics if we want to beat them, because their lineups are damn horrible especially the celtics.

[TheSpursFNRule]

My two cents - if the Spurs can't pick up a quality big, they really have to do something about shoring up that position.

its so ing true.

[WalterBenitez]

I big boy with some good skills in rebounding would be more than appreciated, and some wash head to focus in defense, there're moments when we defend as sof as Phoenix.

Finley, that stats aren't bad, but the timing isn't right, At this point Mason + Hill are good assets and good resources when TP + Manu are in one of those nights.

When we need to dry opponents there's a guy (Bruce) that come from the bench, but rebounding battle, come on we only count on TD and some games in KT, Mat, even Manu has led this team in rebounds.

[m33p0]

exactly, celtics are always 100% focused on their opponents, launching a 10-0 run the moment the moment they get the chance. Offensively you have to keep your shooting rate above 50% or even 60%, because your defense can hardly lock up all of their big 3 at the same time. otherwise they'll totally demolish you with a 20-3run or 25-6run, and make the entire 4th quarter a garbage time. and lakers for the same matter.

the first thing we must do is to keep up with them till the fourth quarter when their axis 3 get tired and lose some scoring appe e. then it's time for us to build our leading gap with our team work and our benchoff players. we have to store a deeper bench than lakers and celtics if we want to beat them, because their lineups are damn horrible especially the celtics.

we? *raises one eyebrow*

[wijayas]

To beat the Lakers and Celtics, you have to be able to score against them consistently. You can't afford scoring droughts against them because regardless of how good your defense is, they are going to score. I think Pop is building up this team with the Lakers and Celtics in mind. It's gonna come down to knocking down shots in the playoffs because TP and Manu are going to create wide open shots for Bonner, Mason, and Finley.

Outscoring the opponents are exactly the trademark of Mike D'Antoni and Don Nelson. I doubt Pop wants to steal D'Antoni and Don Nelson "signature move"!

I prefer the old Spurs to score 80 points and win.