SPURS @ Pacers - 2/13 6:00 CT 2:00 AM Riga time 9:00 PM La Plata

[DPG21920]

Making excuses for Aldridge missing open shots on "spacing" is almost as bad as blaming last year's post-up heavy offense as to why D-League airballs open shots

I'm not blaming LMA missing the open ones on spacing. I'm blaming the general starters offensive troubles on the spacing which includes LMA in many spots. I literally mentioned the Spurs are still getting solid looks in general and that LMA making shots would absoultely help the offense with the Dedmon pairing even if it's not perfect.

[boutons_deux]

There was no choke.

90% FT, but he misses in crunch time.

[NASpurs]

Jokic just has 6-13-8 at the half

[DarrinS]

Making excuses for Aldridge missing open shots on "spacing" is almost as bad as blaming last year's post-up heavy offense as to why D-League airballs open shots

NBA players sometimes miss open shots. That player you're comparing Kawhi to in your avi, missed a boat load.

[DPG21920]

Jokic just has 6-13-8 at the half

He's been unbelievable on offense. I don't remember seeing someone explode like this on offense out of no where.

[r0drig0lac]

He's been unbelievable on offense. I don't remember seeing someone explode like this on offense out of no where.

never happened

[GSH]

1. He's typically in/around the paint.

It sure seems to me like he's spending a lot more time around the paint, and a lot less in it. I understand what you're saying, but if you look at his history, he's always done his real damage from close. And his shot distribution says that he's taking a lot fewer from close, and a lot more from mid-range. (Let's don't get hung up on what "a lot" means - his shot distribution has changed this season.)

I think it's a mistake to have him taking so many shots from around the top of the circle. And since his career percentage from there is something like 40%, that's not what made him an All-Star.

During LMA's first season, I really thought he and Kawhi would work into a great high-low game - especially after Tim retired. It hasn't turned out that way, and I'm sure a bunch of people could write a dissertation on why. But no matter what, I really don't like to see a guy with LMA's size and skills taking set shots from the top of the circle this much. I just don't think it's a good use of the player, and I know you can't win (enough) basketball games shooting 40%.

[DPG21920]

It sure seems to me like he's spending a lot more time around the paint, and a lot less in it. I understand what you're saying, but if you look at his history, he's always done his real damage from close. And his shot distribution says that he's taking a lot fewer from close, and a lot more from mid-range. (Let's don't get hung up on what "a lot" means - his shot distribution has changed this season.)

I think it's a mistake to have him taking so many shots from around the top of the circle. And since his career percentage from there is something like 40%, that's not what made him an All-Star.

During LMA's first season, I really thought he and Kawhi would work into a great high-low game - especially after Tim retired. It hasn't turned out that way, and I'm sure a bunch of people could write a dissertation on why. But no matter what, I really don't like to see a guy with LMA's size and skills taking set shots from the top of the circle this much. I just don't think it's a good use of the player, and I know you can't win (enough) basketball games shooting 40%.

Sorry I meant from a spacing issue Dedmon is in that area as well.

[TheDoctor]

Jokic just has 6-13-8 at the half

But instead we got Kyle "If there's one team that I want to play for is the Spurs" Anderson.

[GSH]

Just one more thing about LMA. When he gets the ball in the post, he RARELY passes the ball back out. Reminds me of Terry mings.

And it's why they can load up on him. Tim was masterful at recognizing the double team. he baited teams into the double a lot in his prime, so that he could kick it out and someone could be wide-open. LMA either doesn't recognize it, or thinks he can beat it. He can't.

[DarrinS]

Ya - it's a big flaw. Not only has his back to the basket game been clunky, he's been really slow at recognizing doubles. He's shown some improvement but not as much as you would like. His only smooth back to the basket move is that Dirk fade away.

Look at Kyle Anderson for example. He had that post up and slotted it to Lee for an And-1. If LMA would just pick his head up a little earlier it would do wonders. But he's so in his head trying to be robotic with his moves/footwork it's just not happening fast enough.

He really needs more moves (like up and unders, etc..).

He needs to play more like Tim. Agreed.

[NASpurs]

He's been unbelievable on offense. I don't remember seeing someone explode like this on offense out of no where.

It feels like last year, he had glimpses of what he could do when he exploded on the Spurs for a couple of times last year. This year, it's just him finally figuring it all out and being consistent. Too bad he's horrible on defense.

[DarrinS]

And it's why they can load up on him. Tim was masterful at recognizing the double team. he baited teams into the double a lot in his prime, so that he could kick it out and someone could be wide-open. LMA either doesn't recognize it, or thinks he can beat it. He can't.

Absolutely. If he changes this one part of his game, the team will be better for it.

[GSH]

Sorry I meant from a spacing issue Dedmon is in that area as well.

I knew what you meant about Dedmon, and you're right. I jumped the tracks on you.

The Spurs spacing makes me want to throw up a lot of nights. And not just in the paint. there are guys on top of each other out on the perimeter sometimes, and I'm just shaking my head. I don't remember ever seeing that from the Spurs other than occasional flukes - and someone got their ass chewed for those.

[TheGreatYacht]

But instead we got Kyle "If there's one team that I want to play for is the Spurs" Anderson.

Hopefully next year his team will be the Xinjiang Flying Tigers

[DarrinS]

It sure seems to me like he's spending a lot more time around the paint, and a lot less in it. I understand what you're saying, but if you look at his history, he's always done his real damage from close. And his shot distribution says that he's taking a lot fewer from close, and a lot more from mid-range. (Let's don't get hung up on what "a lot" means - his shot distribution has changed this season.)

I think it's a mistake to have him taking so many shots from around the top of the circle. And since his career percentage from there is something like 40%, that's not what made him an All-Star.

During LMA's first season, I really thought he and Kawhi would work into a great high-low game - especially after Tim retired. It hasn't turned out that way, and I'm sure a bunch of people could write a dissertation on why. But no matter what, I really don't like to see a guy with LMA's size and skills taking set shots from the top of the circle this much. I just don't think it's a good use of the player, and I know you can't win (enough) basketball games shooting 40%.

Amen to that

[313]

But instead we got Kyle "If there's one team that I want to play for is the Spurs" Anderson.

waste of a pick

[NASpurs]

He's been unbelievable on offense. I don't remember seeing someone explode like this on offense out of no where.

never happened

Now that I think about it, it has to be Jeremy Lin especially that "out of no where" part.

[DPG21920]

Now that I think about it, it has to be Jeremy Lin especially that "out of no where" part.

That's a really good call. That is about the best one I can think of that was so "where did this guy come from"

[GSH]

I'm not blaming LMA missing the open ones on spacing. I'm blaming the general starters offensive troubles on the spacing which includes LMA in many spots. I literally mentioned the Spurs are still getting solid looks in general and that LMA making shots would absoultely help the offense with the Dedmon pairing even if it's not perfect.

I don't think you need to apologize even a little bit about the spacing comment. When the spacing is poor, the team is going to shoot a lower percentage - any team. When you can't/don't spread the defense, it gives them the ability to help and recover much more effectively. It may be hard to look at individual shots and say, "He would have made that shot, if the spacing was better." The point is, he probably wouldn't have been taking that shot, if the spacing was better.

We're talking about LMA not scoring enough from down low. You can't ignore that when there's another Spur down there already, who isn't really a scoring threat, it makes it a lot tougher for LMA to get those high-percentage looks.

[ducks]

Curry is 1-11 from deep

[Budkin]

Nuggets pulling an Atlanta Falcons... GSW within 10 with tons of time left.

[SAGirl]

Nice win tonight and it was a fun road game to travel for.

Glad you got this win and saw Manu too.

[NASpurs]

Incoming loss to the Magic for the Spurs with the Warriors losing tonight.

[NASpurs]

24 3s and counting for the Nuggets