Just checked the League Offensive and Defensive Efficiency Stats and the Spurs are ranked #2 on Offense, and a dismal #10 on Defense. By far their worst defensive stretch in years statistically in comparison with the league average.
http://www.knickerblogger.net/stats/2008/index.htm#East
Their offense has been very good, only ranked slightly lower than the Mavs who are at #1.
But guess who is #1 on D this year? The BOSTON CELTICS. They led the league by a Spur like Margin. Garnett must be the main reason why.
So why are the Spurs lagging so much on D this year? Has Manu lost some of his D? TP? Duncan? Bowen seems about the same as always for the most part.
Do the Spurs miss a Rasho like shot blocker? They still were awesome on D last year without a #2 shot blocker alongside Timmy.
Is it just a bad stretch? Will the Spurs be Top 2-3 on D by years end?
Bowen has had a couple of games where he has lagged behind.
Timmy has had a couple of games where he's been slow on D.
Manu has been playing steller defense.
The reason for the drop statistically, more than likely has to do with the increase in Barry's minutes.
Also, Finley's D seems to be lacking this year too....
He was pretty decent last year.
Also, Jauque has missed some signficant time. He's been lock-down defender at the point.
But also remember. It's NOVEMBER.
Not good enough. Should be in top 3, minimum. But it's early...we'll get there.
They've been having a pretty light schedule, even lighter compared to the Spurs, and playing against crappy, offesively challenged teams will certainly make you looking great defensively.But guess who is #1 on D this year? The BOSTON CELTICS. They led the league by a Spur like Margin. Garnett must be the main reason why.
I think they're just pacing themselves, they still play the D, but not that consistent to begin with.So why are the Spurs lagging so much on D this year? Has Manu lost some of his D? TP? Duncan? Bowen seems about the same as always for the most part.
While Oberto is not a shotblocker, his positional defense is above average in my book compared to other center of the league.Do the Spurs miss a Rasho like shot blocker? They still were awesome on D last year without a #2 shot blocker alongside Timmy.
Our D is more about everybody helping & covering each other, we're not that blessed with athletic freak shot blocking machine in the first place.
I think they'll be fine, people don't suddenly forgot how they eat, do they ?Is it just a bad stretch? Will the Spurs be Top 2-3 on D by years end?
Remember, we're still the
Check out this thread for more info, Nikizzle.
It is all about who they are playing, Boston has played a creme puff schedule except for two strong teams and lost both of those. Memo Drew Gooden schooled Garnett the other night.
Relax. Spurs have all the ability in the world to turn up the defensive pressure.
Spurs will improve FG% and defensive intensity and vastly over-hyped teams like the Celtics will slip back.
Hey, last year the started off slow too....it turned out alright.
It says the Suns are ranked ahead of the Spurs at #9 in defensive efficiency. That can't be right.
I don't know. I mean, I know it's November and all, but Spurs are #27 of 30 teams total in opposition FG%, and dropped from #3 to #11 in a span of 2 games in opposition 3pt FG%. I'd say this is way worse than any November in recent Spurs history. Maybe I have a bad memory, and I would love to be proven wrong.
And again, I know it's November, but has Timmy really played with such low PPG during November before? Then again, he's playing the lowest MPG than ever before.
Ok, as of this morning, we are now #28 of 30 in opposition FG% and #12 in opp 3pt FG%. Somebody improved last night (Golden State and Minnesotta?). It's sad that Golden State is a better FG% defensive team than us.
Why? we should be ranked at #1 and they #20 according to last games.
Finley is absolutely horrible on D. Always has been. Barry is better, and Barry has probably the best transition D on the team. Barry is no D stopper, for sure...but, he's better than Finley.
Tim hasn't been playing great D this year either. But, I don't much worry about him...let him pace himself. Playing great D is the most exhausting thing to do in Basketball, and the most damaging to the body (much harder on body/ankles/knees to react than to instigate like on offense.) Why Bowen deserves every Kudo he's got...and why I have no problem, right now, in TD pacing himself...I know he'll bring it when he has to.
Parker has never been considered a D stopper.
Really, the only people right now playing good D for the Spurs, is Manu and Bowen. Oberto plays pretty good positioning D, but he lacks true Center size and strength.
Elson and Bonner still look lost in the Spurs Defensive rotations and scheme.
So, Tim will be there when we need him. Manu and Bowen are always there. TP on D...well, you never know. Oberto does what Oberto does.
Finley, Elson, Bonner...all need to step it up. I'd actually prefer starting Barry right now than Finley. Udoka behind Bowen?
I'm sure Pop is not unaware of this either
Is it just me or is our offense looking better but our overall defense slowing down?
teams seem to be elevating their games against us this year, even more so then you'd expect from being the reigning champs. it's weird
As an aside the Spurs are now #1 on Offense in the entire league. Interesting.
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