Some fun facts through the first 13 games

[GSH]

Before the start of the season, people were questioning whether the Spurs could have another 50-win season. As of now, the Spurs only need to play a little above .500 ball for the remainder of the season to reach that goal - .550 to be exact. That's the pace of a 45-win season.

A lot has been made about Blair's poor start. Through the first 12 games, Blair had 35 offensive boards, and 16 steals. McDyess had 17 offensive boards and 2 steals. That's about 2.5 extra possessions per game coming from Blair. Nothing to sneeze at - especially from someone who is struggling.

So far this season, Richard Jefferson has pulled down 39 defensive boards. Tony Parker has 41. I would have never guessed it.

Before tonight's game against Orlando, George Hill and Gary Neal were both 28-68 from the floor. Neal is shooting 3-pointers better (16-36 vs. 7-25 for Hill), but Hill is shooting 2-pointers much better, and had 25 trips to the FT line, compared to 2 for Neal.

Tony Parker is arguably having the best all-around season of his career, so far. His FG% is up there with the best he's ever shot. His steals are about double his normal rate. His assists are up 33% over his career average. But, surprisingly, he is getting to the FT line less frequently than he has in any of the past 5 seasons. What's a guy gotta do to get some respect?

Gary Neal is averaging about 6 rebounds per 36 minutes. Tiago Splitter is only averaging about 8 rebounds per 36 minutes. But - Splitter has averaged 5.78 FTA's per 36 minutes, compared to 5.89 FTA/36 for Manu, who is a master at drawing whistles. If Splitter can continue drawing fouls like that, in an expanded role, it would make a huge difference. (It would be nice to see guys like Howard and Gasol on the bench with foul trouble.)

Even though the Spurs' defense is not where it needs to be, their Defensive Rating, which is points allowed per 100 possessions, is 6th in the league. That's pretty amazing, since they are allowing the second-highest Opponent 3P% in the league. If they can just begin closing out on 3-pointers a little better, their overall defensive stats would improve quite a lot.

[angelbelow]

Before the start of the season, people were questioning whether the Spurs could have another 50-win season. As of now, the Spurs only need to play a little above .500 ball for the remainder of the season to reach that goal - .550 to be exact. That's the pace of a 45-win season.

A lot has been made about Blair's poor start. Through the first 12 games, Blair had 35 offensive boards, and 16 steals. McDyess had 17 offensive boards and 2 steals. That's about 2.5 extra possessions per game coming from Blair. Nothing to sneeze at - especially from someone who is struggling.

So far this season, Richard Jefferson has pulled down 39 defensive boards. Tony Parker has 41. I would have never guessed it.

Before tonight's game against Orlando, George Hill and Gary Neal were both 28-68 from the floor. Neal is shooting 3-pointers better (16-36 vs. 7-25 for Hill), but Hill is shooting 2-pointers much better, and had 25 trips to the FT line, compared to 2 for Neal.

Tony Parker is arguably having the best all-around season of his career, so far. His FG% is up there with the best he's ever shot. His steals are about double his normal rate. His assists are up 33% over his career average. But, surprisingly, he is getting to the FT line less frequently than he has in any of the past 5 seasons. What's a guy gotta do to get some respect?

Gary Neal is averaging about 6 rebounds per 36 minutes. Tiago Splitter is only averaging about 8 rebounds per 36 minutes. But - Splitter has averaged 5.78 FTA's per 36 minutes, compared to 5.89 FTA/36 for Manu, who is a master at drawing whistles. If Splitter can continue drawing fouls like that, in an expanded role, it would make a huge difference. (It would be nice to see guys like Howard and Gasol on the bench with foul trouble.)

Even though the Spurs' defense is not where it needs to be, their Defensive Rating, which is points allowed per 100 possessions, is 6th in the league. That's pretty amazing, since they are allowing the second-highest Opponent 3P% in the league. If they can just begin closing out on 3-pointers a little better, their overall defensive stats would improve quite a lot.

Good read.

Blair had such a bad start to the season and recovered so slowly people were just under the impression that hes sucked all along - understandable notion. But since the Hornets game, hes improved just enough over the next 10 games to keep his starting job. Obviously tonight he was a horrible match up with Rashard "money" Lewis stretching the floor so we didn't see much of him.

At the end of the 3rd where Turnobili took over, I like that Pop nor the players on the court panicked. They stayed calm, fine turned their execution and prevented the Magic from building any more momentum... the game would have turned ugly real fast just a season ago.

Its really a shame that JA got hurt. This team would be so unbelievably deep and versatile.

[jason1301]

cool facts

[024]

parker is averaging less FTs because he's kind of lessened those hard drives to the basket. he's rediscovered his floater and his jump shots are connecting as well. combined with him passing the ball more, it's no wonder his FTAs are down.

[Sisk]

parker is averaging less FTs because he's kind of lessened those hard drives to the basket. he's rediscovered his floater and his jump shots are connecting as well. combined with him passing the ball more, it's no wonder his FTAs are down.

I would agree with this.

Great post. Really interesting stats.

[buttsR4rebounding]

Of course, with the best record in the Association you would expect the Spurs' stats to look good, but here are some others that show just how dominant they have been. One way to adjust for game pace is to look at the differential in stats between teams. The Spurs are 3rd in assist differential, +4.31; 4th in rebounding, +3.62, 5th in steals, +1.77, 4th in fouls, -2.62; which all leads to 2nd in scoring, +9.54. That, my friends, is playing well in all phases!!!!

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Interesting stats, thanks OP.

[spursfan1000]

If Hill could only shoot better...

[Mal]

Tony Parker is arguably having the best all-around season of his career, so far. His FG% is up there with the best he's ever shot. His steals are about double his normal rate. His assists are up 33% over his career average. But, surprisingly, he is getting to the FT line less frequently than he has in any of the past 5 seasons. What's a guy gotta do to get some respect?

Maybe this FT numbers are about staying healthy. Not needed to drive, risking injury, when you can make jumper shot or pass to Red Rockert

[DPG21920]

Nice read. Hill and Blair are struggling, but that is because expectations are so high. If they start to play to their potential, that will help out in all areas.

[Leetonidas]

I think the most amazing thing is that this is the Spurs at maybe 60% of their true power. Once the playoffs start, you know Duncan, if allowed to play about 29-30mpg for the rest of the season, will turn it up in the playoffs - that's a given. Ginobili is always in another gear come playoff time and Parker looks better than ever.

We still don't have Anderson, who we all know already can hit the three and play solid defense, and Tiago has barely played and from what we've seen, he will be a force next to Tim in the starting lineup if Pop ever puts him there. Also, keep in mind that George Hill isn't even playing as well as he was last season yet and DeJuan has been very inconsistent so far.

In the end, it all depends on health. If the Spurs are healthy come playoff time, we can seriously challenge the Lakers. I can't wait to see how Splitter matches up with Gasol.

[TVI]

I think the most amazing thing is that this is the Spurs at maybe 60% of their true power.

This.

I'm not sure about the 60%, but he Spurs are definitely nowhere close to their potential. Splitter has yet to integrate into the rotation, and Anderson will only make the bench stronger. It'd be nice to have a real backup to Tony, but I guess we'll continue to see Hill and Manu run the backup pg spot by committee.

One thing that's great is that Duncan seems to be coasting this year, knowing that his team is getting it done with him taking a lesser role. This can only be helpful in not wearing him out before the playoffs.

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

Nice.

Yeah I thought about that last night. The Spurs can go 38-31 the rest of the season to hit their win total from last year. Luckily I think aspirations are higher than last season.

[Bender]

when anderson comes back, will pop even play him much in the 2nd half of the season? I mean, he will have missed almost all the first half of the season, so I wonder if pop will keep the status quo at that time...