Small SI Fact on Timmy's Defensive Focus

[BillMc]

From SI Power Rankings:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/201...gs/index.html#

San Antonio Spurs (17-3)
The Spurs' fast-paced, high-powered attack is becoming increasingly well-known, but their defense isn't too shabby either -- they're seventh in defensive efficiency and are allowing their fewest points per 100 possessions since 2007-08. Although merely average in opposing field-goal percentage, the Spurs rank second in steals while committing the fewest fouls, a testament to the intelligence (and lobbying abilities?) of Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili on traps and rotations. Freed from the need to score as often this season, Duncan is setting the tone for a defense that permits 9.4 fewer points per 100 possessions when he plays compared to when he sits, according to 82games.com.

Duncan may have officially adapted D-Rob's late career method!

Timmy could paraphrase Mark Twain: "The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated."

Hats off to Timmy. Even if his all-star streak is in jeopardy, he'd better make an all-defensive team this year!

Bill

[urunobili]

I wish they would give him the DPOY. It'd look awesome and much deserved on his resume

[Spursfanfromafar]

From SI Power Rankings:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/201...gs/index.html#

[COLOR=#000000]San Antonio Spurs (17-3)
The Spurs' fast-paced, high-powered attack is becoming increasingly well-known, but their defense isn't too shabby either -- they're seventh in defensive efficiency and are allowing their fewest points per 100 possessions since 2007-08. Although merely average in opposing field-goal percentage, the Spurs rank second in steals while committing the fewest fouls, a testament to the intelligence (and lobbying abilities?) of Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili on traps and rotations. Freed from the need to score as often this season, Duncan is setting the tone for a defense that permits 9.4 fewer points per 100 possessions when he plays compared to when he sits, according to 82games.com.

Its good to see how Timmy is playing a more defensive role in the team. But it does not say something that is important - whether without Tim on the floor (or with him), are the Spurs indeed a great defensive unit, Timmy's performance notwithstanding?

So, far, it is difficult to argue that the Spurs as a whole are a great defensive unit. The opponent FG% - the key figure according to corporate CEO Pop - is still 46.2%, bad enough for 14th position. I think the Spurs still need to improve on this, maybe using the same unit to defend better or get that elusive backup perimeter defender who doesn't hurt the excellent offense at the same time.

[silk]

Put Splitter in and the defense will be a lot better.

Pop has a probem, he refuses to give duncan a legit partner in the front, and it's not coz of a shortage of opportunities

Duncan-Splitter and stop the bullsh*t nowwwwwww !

[SA210]

Put Splitter in and the defense will be a lot better.

Pop has a probem, he refuses to give duncan a legit partner in the front, and it's not coz of a shortage of opportunities

Duncan-Splitter and stop the bullsh*t nowwwwwww !

[99-03-05-07]

didn't we bring splitter in for his defence?? and then to improve on his offense?

[Mel_13]

The reports of Tim Duncan's demise have been greatly exaggerated.

[Agloco]

Freed from the need to score as often this season, Duncan is setting the tone for a defense that permits 9.4 fewer points per 100 possessions when he plays compared to when he sits, according to 82games.com.

We have to be careful with analysis such as this. It's also a function of who's going into the lineup when Duncan sits. Is it a guy like Robert Horry? Or is it a guy like Matt Bonner?

But yeah, Timmys still got game.

[Man In Black]

[Cane]

Another stat: Duncan's also averaging more blocks than last season despite averaging two fewer minutes - 1.5 blocks compared to 1.9

[Blake]

Uh... All-star!!! All-star!!! You kidding me??? All-star?

only an idiot would think Tim doesn't have a chance to be an allstar.......most likely a starter again.

[Man In Black]

Blake Griffin says , hi. Duncan is nothing more than a dead corpse out there with his pedestrian numbers.

Andrew Mr. Glass Bynum has ZERO stats this year Zip, Nada, Nothing...whose fault is that? His own since he decided to delay surgery so he can party in South Africa. Blake will get in as a coaches selection.

[TD 21]

Andrew Mr. Glass Bynum has ZERO stats this year Zip, Nada, Nothing...whose fault is that? His own since he decided to delay surgery so he can party in South Africa. Blake will get in as a coaches selection.

Griffin will not get in. I could be mistaken, but I believe the last rookie named to the All-Star team by the coaches was Duncan. Suffice it to say, it's an extreme rarity. What's more, Griffin is on a cellar dweller. They could very well have the worst record at the break. Coaches reward winning and generally in conjunction with proven track records. It took Williams until last season to break through (even though he should have made it two years earlier).

Duncan is absolutely an All-Star on merit. With the exception of Gasol, name a better center in the West?

Speaking of defense, I constantly see Garnett mentioned in the DPOY running, but I never see Duncan. I guess if you're not running around acting like a re , you're not making an impact defensively. The vast majority base the caliber of a bigs defense off of that or if you have exceptional physical tools. Duncan doesn't fit into either category, so he get's overlooked.

It's a travesty that he doesn't have multiple DPOY's. He's only had the most impact defensively out of anyone in the past fifteen years, anchoring myriad single season historic level defenses.

[DieHardSpursFan1537]

Another stat: Duncan's also averaging more blocks than last season despite averaging two fewer minutes - 1.5 blocks compared to 1.9

I have been noticing Tim reject a lot more shots this season.

[#2!]

I have been noticing Tim reject a lot more shots this season.

Duncan added a new block to his older approach of putting his off hand on someone's side to keep them closer to the ground (going up for big one hand stuffs, but really using sleight of hand). This he year forces guys into an awkward shot, and as they go for it Tim just kind of "goes zombie". With his arms almost straight forward he smothers any chance the shot has.

Both are probably compensations for his deteriorating jumping skills, but part of it might be that he doesn't have to come flying over anymore because now he knows what's going to happen.

[Man In Black]

Griffin will not get in. I could be mistaken, but I believe the last rookie named to the All-Star team by the coaches was Duncan. Suffice it to say, it's an extreme rarity. What's more, Griffin is on a cellar dweller. They could very well have the worst record at the break. Coaches reward winning and generally in conjunction with proven track records. It took Williams until last season to break through (even though he should have made it two years earlier).

Duncan is absolutely an All-Star on merit. With the exception of Gasol, name a better center in the West?

Speaking of defense, I constantly see Garnett mentioned in the DPOY running, but I never see Duncan. I guess if you're not running around acting like a re , you're not making an impact defensively. The vast majority base the caliber of a bigs defense off of that or if you have exceptional physical tools. Duncan doesn't fit into either category, so he get's overlooked.

It's a travesty that he doesn't have multiple DPOY's. He's only had the most impact defensively out of anyone in the past fifteen years, anchoring myriad single season historic level defenses.

It's in Los Angeles. That why I feel he'll get in.
http://www.allstarnba.es/players/all...me-rookies.htm
List of Rookies who have played in the All-Star Game.
There are 4 Active players who played as rookies:
Shaq, Grant Hill, Tim Duncan, & Yao Ming. Tim is the only one that wasn't voted in by the fams.. So he was selected by the Coaches.