Monday, November 23rd, 2009...10:43 am
Here Comes Brandon Jennings
A couple quick thoughts prior to the game.
Despite the fact that Milwaukee always gives San Antonio fits, the Spurs are expected to beat the Bucks this evening. The Spurs are giving 9 points in the spread, which is strange considering Milwaukee’s 8-3 record.
The deteriorating Washington Wizards provided San Antonio an opportunity to “get right” after a slow start, but it’s unfair to Milwaukee to expect a double-digit victory from San Antonio. Brandon Jennings is, by all appearances, a budding superstar. And the Bucks are winning the old fashioned way: they’re playing great defense.
Here are two things to watch during tonight’s game: can San Antonio contain Brandon Jennings and will San Antonio move the ball on offense?
On the first point, forgive me for being obvious. But it’s not a secret that Brandon Jennings is due the bulk of credit for Milwaukee’s strong start. It will be fun to watch the Parker-Hill duo attempt to slow Jennings, who’s torrid start includes a 25 ppg average. According to the shot selection data at Hoopdata.com, Jennings likes to get to the rim and bury longer jump shots and three pointers. He does an insignificant amount of damage from 5 to 16 feet.
I suspect Popovich will concede as many contested 16-23 ft. attempts as Jennings would like to shoot, but, as always, game plan to keep Jennings out of the lane and off the three point stripe. The Spurs’ defense is schemed to do just these things, so this game should prove a valuable case study of how well the team defense is gelling.
San Antonio’s defense is improving, and the timing of this contest is a welcome benchmark.
Against the atrocious Wizards’ defense, San Antonio moved the ball especially well. The team enjoyed a 30 point lead for much of the game. Did San Antonio play that well or are the Wizards really that bad?
Duncan and Parker took turns quarterbacking the offense, and each player did a tremendous job of fueling the offense of others. The Spurs had 32 assists and only 8 turnovers in the game. In terms of offensive progress, it was the most encouraging game of the season.
I don’t expect the Spurs to pick apart the Bucks like they did the Wizards, but another game of crisp, unselfish passing is needed. Scott Skiles’ teams always defend well, and the Spurs will need to fully-ignite their offense to gain an advantage against Milwaukee.
It’s odd. I can’t remember the last time I’ve really looked forward to a game against Milwaukee. One good draft pick…
18 Comments
November 23rd, 2009 at 10:48 am
i was thrilled to see theo ratliff’s production against washington. be that as it may that they are a struggling team, theo proved that he can still contest shots and deserves more playing time. i would say that he is the most athletic big we have. my concern is his ability to continue his defensive play over the long haul. either way, theo ratliff gave me reason to believe there is hope for a great season.
November 23rd, 2009 at 11:08 am
Just hope Blair gets some burn tonight.He needs to play EVERY. SINGLE. GAME. I just don’t know why coaches have such a ridiculous aversion to playing rookies unless they are super-high draft picks.
November 23rd, 2009 at 11:16 am
Theo at times reminded of Robert Horry, Hes long and can block, now get to work on those 3’s
November 23rd, 2009 at 11:24 am
The play of Andrew Bogut, while he was healthy, was also a significant factor in the Bucks great start. Without him, they present less of a challenge, although Jennings’ ability is not diminished at all. I’ll be watching.
November 23rd, 2009 at 12:02 pm
Jimbo, I didn’t get to watch the game against the Wizards, but I read the game wrap and looked at the box score. I was a little disappointed to see Blair log 7 minutes of play, but I have a feeling it was his defense. (Of course, I could be wrong.) I don’t think Pop has an aversion to playing rookies, I think he just has an aversion to playing defensive liabilities.
I liked what I have seen from Blair, and hope he gets more playing time. I just think his sub-par defensive footwork, as well as his lack of shot blocking is going to keep him out of some games.
November 23rd, 2009 at 12:13 pm
I agree that it is Blair’s defense (and possibly a lack of conditioning) which is keeping him off the court. One play in particular stuck out to me from the Wizards game. Andray Blatche caught the ball at about 17 feet out on the right wing, sized up Dejuan, took two strong dribbles right and made a layup before the help could get there.
I think Dejuan can and will learn to prevent that in the future. When he does, he’ll get more time.
November 23rd, 2009 at 12:34 pm
I like checking out Hollinger’s rankings on ESPN’s website. The Bucks have been playing .300 competition mostly at home while the Spurs have been playing .500+ competition. Hollinger actually has the Spurs ranked just ahead of the Bucks largely because of that. It explains a lot about their record 10-12 games in.
Are Redd or Bogut playing for the Bucks?
November 23rd, 2009 at 12:48 pm
Can’t wait to watch this game. Jennings is something to see. He hasn’t really faced a defense as good as San Antonio’s, though.
November 23rd, 2009 at 1:42 pm
I expect Hill to play Jennings tough and for Parker to joke around with him during dead ball breaks in the hopes they can be good friends.
November 23rd, 2009 at 2:14 pm
Blair deserves more time on the court, and if he’s a defensive liability, well what in the heck is Bonner considered? A Defensive Specialist?? If Pop can play Bonner now and he devalues the Spurs defense, then I think in a few years Blair will get more time as he adjusts to the system, like Bonner has.
November 23rd, 2009 at 2:17 pm
Chris Sheridan on ESPN Chat said they expect Redd back tonight..we’ll see. Should be a good game (and hopefully Spurs win)!
November 23rd, 2009 at 3:07 pm
Bonner has playing pretty decent defense lately and is even rebounding, I think people underestimate how much Bonner does, he open the floor and its dead-on 3 point shooter. If you have Bonner on the perimeter, the paint is for the taking… attach Tony!!!, if the defender meets you, dish over to Bonner for a almost guaranteed 3
Go Red-Rocket!!!
November 23rd, 2009 at 3:08 pm
Jeez, I need to read before I post, well, that’s what happens when you try to snick posts during work
November 23rd, 2009 at 3:08 pm
sneak* Doh!!!
November 23rd, 2009 at 3:23 pm
robert horry was a much better dunker though… lol if redd does come back tonight, then this will be a close game
November 23rd, 2009 at 3:46 pm
If Kurt Thomas plays, expect him to be pretty effective on Duncan. I think overall that Jennings will have his hands full with both Parker and Georgie. He may have a good first half, but we should be able to lock him down in the second. As for Ratliff, he was great on Saturday. He gave the SPURS a presence that we haven’t had all year. i know the guy’s old, but if we can have him for the start and end of games, i think he will continue to help the Spurs all year.
November 23rd, 2009 at 4:08 pm
Too bad Matt Bonner s doing a horrible job of spacing the floor this year, when that shooting percentage from the three goes up, then I’ll consider overlooking his defensive liabilities. Theo Ratliff has been pretty productive, its nice to have another shot-blocker, or at least shot-changer on the team..something we lacked last year. As for Jennings, I love putting Hill on him. Quick guards like Jennings always struggle with lengthy defenders, so I’m interested to see what happens tonight.
November 23rd, 2009 at 7:33 pm
JT
November 23rd, 2009 at 3:07 pm Bonner has playing pretty decent defense lately and is even rebounding, I think people underestimate how much Bonner does, he open the floor and its dead-on 3 point shooter. If you have Bonner on the perimeter, the paint is for the taking… attach Tony!!!, if the defender meets you, dish over to Bonner for a almost guaranteed 3 Go Red-Rocket!!!
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This is exactly correct. Bonner never gets the credit he deserves from Spurs fans. Just take a look at his adjusted +-, which is always hugely +. As of 11/23, i believe that only Parker has a higher positive than Bonner does, lol.
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