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The Spurs have shot pretty badly, and some of that is due to the Suns defense. They deserve a little credit. Scoring defense is more of an indicator than percentage because it factors in the rebounding numbers.
Phoenix keeps holding us to a lower shooting percentage than we hold them.
So, an ignorant spectator could think that they play better defense than we do.
Of course, the simple answer to that is that the defensive possession does not stop until you actually get possession of the ball by a defensive rebound.
I used to think that the only or the best way to judge a team's defense was to examine their field goal percentage defense. However, in thinking about this the last several games, I think that I understand better now why points per game is just as important.
Thoughts?
The Spurs have shot pretty badly, and some of that is due to the Suns defense. They deserve a little credit. Scoring defense is more of an indicator than percentage because it factors in the rebounding numbers.
Usually, the team with the better FG% wins, yes.
But in Game2, the Spurs got all the hustle advantages:
+8 RB leading to +6 FGA
+5 STL
+9 FT pts
Suns did well/better with their strengths, offense and shooting, including 54% on 3Gs, and still lost.
Put it this way....if one team shoots 10 for 10 and the other team only shoots 10 for 20.......BUT they get ten offensive rebounds and get all their ten on second chance points, the score is tied even though one team is shooting 100% and the other one only 50%.
Defense isn't done till you control the ball.
I agree
(1) Suns are pretty good on the initial possession, but do give up too many second chance points
(2) field goal percentage defense is important, but as it omits the hustle stat of rebounding, is not as telling as it may seem and
(3) SA Gambler's point about 10 for 10 = 10 for 20 when the side the side that shot 10 for 20 grabbed 10 more offensive rebounds than the other side is a good one.
Strangely enough, the winning margin in Game 3 was the advantage the Spurs had in shooting free throws?
We made about 80% and they were in the 60s, completely reversing the normal shooting percentages of the teams.
That's not going to happen again.
The Suns lead the league in just about every offensive category. You cannot expect the Spurs to completely shut them down.
I really think this is an example of where you need to look at the game footage. Especially beyond the arc the Spurs field goal percentage reflects a collective "cold shooting" team...where little (if any) credit needs to be given to the Phoenix Suns.
Sometimes you just don't shoot well.
Excellent point. The Spurs are also pretty good at limiting a team's three point opportunities. Even if the percentage is the same, the scoring drops dramatically if they have to settle for two point baskets.
"The Spurs are also pretty good at limiting a team's three point opportunities."
That's why, against the Suns, and in the playoffs, the Spurs didn't defend the arc at all well last night, esp in first half. Spurs gave up 27 pts on 3Gs.
I'm not sure if you are agreeing with me or not, because you aren't very clear. The word you should be focusing on here is "opportunities" The Suns averaged 20 three point attempts per game in the regular season. In three games against the Spurs (which includes last night) they are averaging less than 14. Big difference.
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