<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> The Spurs shot better than they had all season, made a dozen 3-pointers and distributed 33 assists during Saturday's victory in Oklahoma City. What mattered most to coach Gregg Popovich, however, was the number he wrote on the locker-room grease board: 29. That's how many points the Hornets totaled in the second half. It also signified that for, one night at least, the Spurs' defense had returned to the land of the living. Only three hours earlier, still feeling the sting of the previous night's embarrassing loss to Houston, Popovich had called the current collection of Spurs "our poorest defensive team in the last four or five years." "We don't seem to have the same passion for it, and it doesn't seem to hold the same sense of urgency," Popovich said. "I'm not sure this group believes in it as much as past groups as to how important it is for us. "That's a major concern for us." The numbers support Popovich's claim. While the Spurs are allowing 90.6 points per game, the second-fewest in the league, their field-goal percentage defense, which Popovich has long considered a more accurate barometer of the team's success, has slipped noticeably. In each of Tim Duncan's first nine seasons, the Spurs' field-goal percentage defense ranked among the top five in the NBA; in all but two of those years it was no lower than third. This season, the Spurs are 12th with their opponents shooting 45.1 percent. Shooting and scoring are up league-wide, but the Spurs still see considerable room for improvement. Before Saturday, their previous three opponents each had shot better than 48 percent, with Memphis and Houston making better than half their attempts. "When we realize opponents are shooting more than 50 (percent)," Manu Ginobili said, "that's not us." The Spurs will be tested again tonight when the Milwaukee Bucks visit. Led by guards Michael Redd and Mo Williams, the Bucks rank sixth in the league in scoring (102.6 points per game) and fifth in shooting (47.6 percent). Adding to the Spurs' concern is their defense has been worse at home than on the road. Opposing teams are shooting 46.8 percent at the AT&T Center this season. Popovich has yet to pinpoint a specific reason for the team's struggles. Starting center Francisco Elson is still trying to get comfortable in the system ? he was benched quickly in the second half against the Rockets for failing to rotate and protect the rim from Bonzi Wells ? but Popovich said, "You can't put it on Francisco." </div> Source
after watching the game on Friday I can honestly say that the spurs age is catching up with them....Duncan isn't the same dominant player that he once was, Michael Finley is just flat out terrible, Horry isn't much better, and Bowen is also regressing....the spurs need some youth.
<div class="quote_poster">THE DREAM Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">after watching the game on Friday I can honestly say that the spurs age is catching up with them....Duncan isn't the same dominant player that he once was, Michael Finley is just flat out terrible, Horry isn't much better, and Bowen is also regressing....the spurs need some youth.</div> Yet they still have the best record in the NBA. Imagine that.
<div class="quote_poster">AllNet Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Yet they still have the best record in the NBA. Imagine that.</div> Owned! had a feeling a stupid comment was comin seeing how he was a rocket fan.
<div class="quote_poster">AllNet Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Yet they still have the best record in the NBA. Imagine that.</div> Not anymore.
<div class="quote_poster">DIRK4L1FE Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Not anymore.</div> its kinda hard 2 win when 1 of ur top scorers is out and ur top 3 point shooter is sidelined. F**k dallas. 3 rings to none
Apparently the Spurs have been hit with the stomach virus. Gino and Barry are both ill. It's not often you see a player drop 40 on Bruce Bowen. Last night Michael Redd was blowing by him off the dribble fairly easy. The Spurs are obviously looking to add some athleticism to their roster. They called up Flight White from the DLeague and Ric Bucher mentioned they dangled Brent Barry to the Clippers for Corey Maggette. Maybe they can bring Devin Brown back. I don't think he's currently on any team's roster.
<div class="quote_poster">shapecity Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Apparently the Spurs have been hit with the stomach virus. Gino and Barry are both ill. It's not often you see a player drop 40 on Bruce Bowen. Last night Michael Redd was blowing by him off the dribble fairly easy. The Spurs are obviously looking to add some athleticism to their roster. They called up Flight White from the DLeague and Ric Bucher mentioned they dangled Brent Barry to the Clippers for Corey Maggette. Maybe they can bring Devin Brown back. I don't think he's currently on any team's roster.</div> I thought devin was withthe hornets, they should of kept him, kid had talent
Bowen's probably not planting his foot under his shooter anymore and the refs aren't blowing the whistle for Manu's flops.
<div class="quote_poster">dallasdude Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Bowen's probably not planting his foot under his shooter anymore and the refs aren't blowing the whistle for Manu's flops.</div> Yea, maybe mark cubans crying, dirk's tantrums and the teams classless act got thorugh to the refs and opened their eyes
The Spurs defense is still pretty damn good. Yeah, the defense has "slipped". They're usually first in defensive efficiency, now their third. Oh, and they also have the third most efficient offensive in the league. I wish our team had those kind of problems. They'll be alright.
<div class="quote_poster">durvasa Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">The Spurs defense is still pretty damn good. Yeah, the defense has "slipped". They're usually first in defensive efficiency, now their third. Oh, and they also have the third most efficient offensive in the league. I wish our team had those kind of problems. They'll be alright.</div> Durvasa, where did you get those defensive efficiency rankings? I went to knickerblogger and it said "first" not third. Maybe I have misunderstood something.
<div class="quote_poster">huevonkiller Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Durvasa, where did you get those defensive efficiency rankings? I went to knickerblogger and it said "first" not third. Maybe I have misunderstood something.</div> If you had clicked on the link in my signature, it was from last season. Just updated it. http://www.knickerblogger.net/stats/2007/index.htm
<div class="quote_poster">durvasa Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">If you had clicked on the link in my signature, it was from last season. Just updated it. http://www.knickerblogger.net/stats/2007/index.htm</div> Ah yes, thank you. You're right.
