Tuesday, January 19th, 2010...12:02 pm
Better Winning Through Chemistry, A Spurs Perspective
The Orlando Magic are reeling. After a tough loss to the Lakers last night the Magic have now dropped seven of their past nine games. What does this have to do with the Spurs? Well, among the contenders no one overhauled their roster over the summer more than Orlando and San Antonio.
That both teams have struggled to meet their high expectations, despite a general overall agreement that both teams feature better rosters, has brought up questions of chemistry. Over at TrueHoop, Kevin Arnovitz uses the Magic’s slide to explore these questions:
When a very good team drops seven of nine games – as the Orlando Magic have – those examining the tea leaves often arrive at a singular conclusion: It must be chemistry. It can’t be the talent, because Orlando has an embarrassment of riches, a roster so deep that Brandon Bass routinely logs DNPs. They lost Hedo Turkoglu and Courtney Lee, but added Vince Carter, Ryan Anderson, Matt Barnes and Bass.
But what does good chemistry mean? Are we talking about on-court fit? Are we talking about a group of guys that goes to the movies together on road trips? Remember the slew of articlesabout the Cleveland’s team chemistry last season? When the Cavs ultimately lost the Eastern Conference Finals last spring to Orlando was it because something upset that chemistry? Or was it because they ran up against a team that had a unique combination of size, speed and flexibility to offset the Cavs’ strengths?
It’s one of those classic chicken-and-egg questions: Does good chemistry produce winning, or does winning produce good chemistry? When you stop winning, is it because the chemistry has gone bad, or does the chemistry go bad because you’ve stopped winning?
Then again, chemistry might just be a euphemism for understanding how to execute your stuff.
Drawing conclusions from as small a sample size as the Magic’s recent slide is difficult. Fortunately the Spurs have offered a great case study in chemistry every year since moving into the AT&T Center with their annual Rodeo Road Trip.
Notoriously slow starters throughout the Tim Duncan era, the Spurs have historically used the Rodeo Road Trip as an opportunity to build chemistry and ignite their second half playoff run. The Spurs first extended road trip was a successful 9-0, and they’ve since run off records of 6-1, 5-2, 6-2, 4-4 and 5-3. In 2006, then assistant general manager Sam Presti commented on the importance of the road trip:
Although much is made of the challenges seen in such a long stretch without a home game, we actually embrace the opportunity. We take a very optimistic view of the challenge and generally look at the trip as a chance to see where we are as a collective unit.
The road truly demands a team to come together given all of the adversity that accompanies playing away from home. In addition to the challenges we face on the court, there are also numerous issues and details that spring up off the floor as well. If you play “planes, trains and automobiles” long enough you’re going to come across some unexpected hurdles.
There is something about being on the road that really tests the mettle of a group all working towards the same goal. It breeds somewhat of a “bunker mentality” knowing that it will take a great deal of trust, focus and discipline as we head into some very imposing NBA arenas.
After next week the Spurs will embark on this year’s rendition of the Rodeo Road Trip, playing eight games away from the AT&T Center, after which we should have clearer answers to Arnovitz’s questions-is chemistry a matter of on court fit? Group compatibility? Or simply “a euphemism for understanding how to execute your stuff.”
Though the Spurs have maintained their core since 2003, the roster has experienced a tremendous amount of turnover over the past decade. No two Spurs championship teams have been alike. Some would argue this year’s team seems to have some ill-fitting pieces, at least so far as big acquisition Richard Jefferson is concerned. Furthermore, the “corporate knowledge” (or understanding how to execute your stuff) the Spurs have built since 2005 no longer applies.
Without that knowledge to lean on, what the Spurs build over the next few weeks will go a long way towards establishing what chemistry is, how it’s built, and what it can mean for a contending team.
24 Comments
January 19th, 2010 at 12:45 pm
The sad truth about the re-tooling the Spurs did to their roster is that their record would be exactly the same without the extra money and time they spent bringing in Jefferson and McDyess.
My guess is that Peter Holt will push for some salary dump before the trading deadline. It will be hard to move Richard Jefferson without giving something of “value” (at this point — RJ has none) — so we may be stuck with him.
McDyess? Well — he obviously hasn’t lost just “a” step — but many steps. He’s not the post help that we thought we were getting. I’d much rather give all of his minutes to Blair and Bonner.
Maybe sitting Jefferson down permanently and giving ALL of his minutes to Hill will spark something in him. My guess though — after half a season in the books and not having one memory of RJ doing anything that contributed to winning — It won’t.
January 19th, 2010 at 1:05 pm
I don’t know if we are in so bad a shape that we need to be discussing chemistry issues right now. This roster just appears to be coming together. I agree they have had some injury issues but over December and until the recent two losses the Spurs had one of the best win-loss records in the league. I have been really looking forward to the rodeo road trip to see how they do this year. RJ is used to playing in a uptempo game and is clearly having issues adjusting to the half-court system. But I have a feeling they will continue to gain momentum and be a force come playoff time.
January 19th, 2010 at 1:17 pm
Just a kind correction. The Spurs went 8-1 in their first Rodeo Road Trip. They lost that first game against the T-Wolves (I think) and then they won the remainder of the 8 road games that followed.
Anyways, very good question about “chemistry”. I believe that “chemistry” is exactly what is mentioned in the article about “on-court fit”. Sadly, this team does not seem to have any of it. With regards to Michael’s comment, I completely agree with you when you said that maybe we should give ALL of RJs minutes to G.Hill. That just might be the spark that RJ needs. At this point, when it comes to RJ, we don’t have anything to lose because our “RJ expirement” has failed up to this point.
Manu. Manu is, and always has been, the X-factor to our “chemistry”. If Manu plays well, the Spurs play well. It might be that simple.
January 19th, 2010 at 1:57 pm
Agree chemistry is on court fit. The more versatility a player has the better fit and hence, chemistry. Hill is proving to be a decent ball-handler for a pg, defender and corner 3pt shooter for a shooting guard. Blair is a good rebounder and finisher but his chemistry is enhanced by being on the floor with a shot blocker(Duncan or Ratliff) but his chemistry is worse with Bonner or Jefferson playing the 4.
I hope the Spurs submit tape to the league of James Posey’s 3 dirty plays. Intentionally hitting Ginobili in the nose on a fast break(time out called for medical purposes by refs), intentionally tripping Duncan on a made layup(had to be separated afterwards by refs), and intentionally tripping Parker on a screen and roll(created a double technical by refs). Posey deserves a game suspension for that crap. Stern better do something. Bowen got a suspension for a kick attempt at Paul and so did Terry for the punch of Finley.
Why is Posey going penalty free?
January 19th, 2010 at 3:28 pm
Seeing as how most of the League’s rosters have more athletes than the SPURS on a nightly basis, team chemistry isn’t just important, it’s everything to our team. It’s definitely still a work in progress. You know, we can bash RJ all we want for not being that player we all hoped he would be, but he’s still going to be on the team. He’s just not a “system” guy and I think the SPURS brass should have done a better job scouting that before bringing him in. That said, I’m not giving up on him. The guy is still working so hard to process all the sets on this team… i’m sure more so than he’s ever had to do in his career. I just wish, maybe with the second unit, we could let loose the reigns a bit… kinda like Pop used to do with Manu. I think RJ’s instincts are solid and he’s shown flashes throughout the season. I just think (hope) that RJ still has yet to hit his ceiling with this team.
January 19th, 2010 at 4:00 pm
I really think RJ’s struggles have been from a system standpoint as he’s learning a large and complex system and is also adjusting to being the 3rd not the 1st. I know he’s a pro athlete and all that but still takes time. He has shown us he has what we need, he just needs to show on a nightly basis, my BIG concern is Dice.
January 19th, 2010 at 4:16 pm
I understand why the numbers make fans upset with RJ but in the games I’ve watched, I don’t ever see the offense run through him. His absence is often, from my perspective, that the team is trying to establish Parker, even on the nights where TP is clearly struggling with his injury. I would think they should dedicate stetches (say when Dirk or Durant was guarding RJ) to run through him and rest TP.
As for Dyce, I see (optimistically) a game per series come playoff time where his ability to hit a deep jumper and use up some fouls when defending other bigs will proove valuable. I see that as his main purpose, thus would give him a few less minutes now and give more p/time to Ian.
I’ll add that Orlando’s problem, at least from watching their game in LA, is the unwillingness to slow it down and run an offense through Howard. That, and the struggles of VC, leave them too vulnerable to how they shoot the 3. Their team seems much too undisciplined for a comparison to SA.
January 19th, 2010 at 4:18 pm
Michael — maybe, but i’d argue that we have a higher ceiling this year than last year. and i’m guessing that was the point of the overall this summer — we could forever put together 50 win seasons, winning deep in the playoffs is the priority.
January 19th, 2010 at 5:19 pm
An issue that is not addressed here and that I think is highly important to overall success, and may even be fundamental to the chemistry issue, is basketball IQ. Players with high BB IQ fit more readily into almost any system precisely because they can see the bigger picture. They are guys who have figured out the game, their game and other players’ games (including opponents). That is why Horry fit so well into so many different teams. It’s why Manu would be successful (and has been) wherever he’s played. While I would love to see much more playing time for Ian and Haislip, my sense, based on very limited information to be sure, is that they may not have very good BB IQ. Players without it are probably doomed to forever live in the margins of the NBA (Cisco Elson, I’m talking to you). Physical gifts only take you so far. Some can become serviceable regarding it, others simply never catch on. Blair clearly has it. Quite honestly, I’m still not sure what to make of Dyce and RJ on this issue. Welcome your thoughts and insights.
January 19th, 2010 at 5:57 pm
agutierrez - Blair definitely has it, RJ doesn’t seem to, he’s just an amazing athlete. I’m not sure on Dyce yet, but I think he does. BB IQ is more like common sense, in my opinion….some ppl have it, most ppl don’t. Elson definitely didn’t have it. Overall, I still have hopes for RJ, I’m keeping my fingers crossed that he’ll start gelling when we need him to. Until then, it’s great to see guys like Hill and Blair stepping up to the plate.
January 19th, 2010 at 6:32 pm
STOP!!!
Remove hand from the panic button… Couple of points….
1) To quote C. Barkley “There is the pre-season, the pre All Star season, post all-star season and the playoffs.”
2) EVERY year the Spurs/Pop pull the same thing….
Oct/Nov - Team is coming along. “Great group of guys we are trying to figure how it all fits together.”
Dec - These guys are not playing good defense.
Jan - These guys are soft… leading to…
Feb - Rodeo roadtrip… it all comes together.
Mar/Apr/May - Team is much better… really playing good D… want to stay healthy.
Everyone has seen this before…. it is not like we are watching the cowboys. The team is improving every game (even Jefferson).
January 19th, 2010 at 7:28 pm
Im not sure exactly what needs to be done to make this team click. Obviously the talent is there, along with the defensive and offensive potential. Blair is having insanely efficient minutes and ranks in the top 5 in reb/48. Duncan is having an MVP year (under the radar…of course). Ginobili is playing great defensively but slips on some games offensively. And this brings me to Tony. Love the guy but I am not sure how well he fits with this system. Sure, he can drive the lane all day and score but with this, he takes the ball out of the hands of all of our other offensive weapons. Im not saying he needs to stop driving because that is a huge threat to any team. But with this he can fuel the offense even more without scoring so much. Its much like the philosophy with CP3. We would rather have him go 20 pts and 12 ast than 12 pts and 20 ast. The threat is there but he makes his team so much better when he drives the lane and then makes a pass. I believe we are lacking a player of this sort. For the system to be utmost efficient, Parker needs to be a constant threat in the lane but a play maker for his teammates as well. With this line I absolutely hate seeing Parker lines of 25 pts and 4 ast. It kills me. the way RJ can work the baseline and knock down three pts why wouldn’t we want to pass to him more often. And the rest of the team has high offensive potential we just need to find out how to get them to score through Tony. Looking at some of Manu’s games, he has lines like 15 pts and 7 ast. He is more offensively oriented and diverse than Parker and, obviously, a much better passer and playmaker. WE NEED A DISTRIBUTOR pg, not a first or second offensive option pg. When this happens I think the spurs will exceed expectations. Either Parker needs to learn to find his teammates….or we need to trade him because with the guys around him on the team, a pg with 3 or 4 ast a night just wont cut it.
January 19th, 2010 at 7:33 pm
To further comment on my thoughts…the two teams that come to mind when talking about the pick and roll are the Spurs and the Hornets. Can you imagine a pick and roll offense with Duncan and CP3? It would be unstoppable. So why does this perfect play for Parker to rack up assists not produce the kind of assist numbers that Paul has. I mean Tony has what, like 1 game this season with 10+ assists? Pitiful if you ask me. Again brings me to my main point. DISTRIBUTION OVER SCORING PG will help this team reach ultimate potential.
January 19th, 2010 at 7:42 pm
are we seriously throwing RJ under the bus. and the comment that he hasn’t helped us win. I’m pretty sure he hit the game winner against OKC. RJ is not a focal point of our system he gets scraps along with bogans, bonner, mason.
January 19th, 2010 at 7:46 pm
Keep your head up Spurs fans!!!
January 19th, 2010 at 9:32 pm
I respect Dice and RJ’s ball IQ’s, they’ve given me a reason not to. I think the problem is that they’re both garbage scorers (as in, the way they score, not necessarily in the quality with which they can).
Richard Jefferson is athletic in the sense that he can get a first step and finish, but I don’t see him ever create driving lanes on his own. He merely takes advantage of the ones created for him.
Same with McD. I think the Spurs envisioned Parker or Ginobili breaking down a defense and then RJ or McD destroying defenses while they recovered from that initial penetration. Neither operate well when the defense is set against them.
The problem is, with their physical limitations neither Parker or Ginobili are especially effective at creating that havock unless their shots are on. When their outside shot is clicking, it makes them a little quicker and then you see RJ and Dice start clicking.
January 19th, 2010 at 10:58 pm
Another important part of chemistry is just how well players play with each other. I know thats stating the obvious, but if you look at how Manu and Blair play- it’s like a match made in heaven. Manu and Dice dont have that connection. When Dice rolls to the hoop, he’s looking to get in position rebound. When Blair rolls to the hoop, he looks for the ball, then if he sees a shot he fights for the rebound. It’s just different playing styles. Dice is (without looking it up) pretty close to on par with previous season averages for the first half of the year. He always starts slow. After the all star break he will be fine, he always is. And thats when we’ll need him most, too, to help keep Tim fresh for the end of the year. As far as RJ, he’s not getting the ball much. He makes a bonehead play or two a game, but most of those are still him getting used to different people playing with him. I know we are past the point of saying “give it time”, but look at where we are in the standings. I dont think the expectation should have been much higher than where we stand. Dallas is playing much better than i thought they would, the Lakers are the Lakers, and we are still right there with them. We wont dominate anyone, but at the end of the game we are going to have a chance to win, and thats really all you can ask for.
January 20th, 2010 at 1:27 am
Guys, Here in Argentina Manu have just said that in July he feels he won’t be a Spur no more.
I Hope that they extend him, it would be a big blow if he walks…
In Espn Chad Ford said that the spurs should consider trading him
January 20th, 2010 at 4:15 am
I hope manu explode into the ghostrider and that tim is megatron ..errr…
I find chemistry is not bad at all.. what we need more is slashing from RJ
January 20th, 2010 at 7:57 am
I would like to make a real quick point.
Tim - 20 pts
Tony- 16.8 pts 5.6 ast
RJ - 12.8 pts
Manu - 12.5 pts 4.4 ast
Last year, other than our big three, no one else could score constantly. Take RJ out of this equation and divide up his points. That leaves 3 points extra per big3. Manu is a champion, and he isnt the kind of guy to sit back and watch his numbers fall - so he makes it up on the play-makers side. never have i seen this level of playmaking from him. With that being said, while Manu is making plays - Tony cant. Thus leading to a drop in Tony’s assists.
You also have to take in to consideration that everyone is playing below average minutes than we were last year. This is also why people say we have the ‘deepest bench in the league’, it is because our bench gets soooo many minutes. The only thing this team needs is …
Can anyone really answer that question???
January 20th, 2010 at 8:33 am
I think that we are one 4/5 away of contending, keeping Gooden would have been nice…
January 20th, 2010 at 8:46 am
Spurs started year 9-9. Since then, 16-6. I think we have made great improvements and obviously still have room to grow. The Lakers will remain constant with a little boost from a healthy Gasol, but will look like the same team come playoffs. Spurs have been written off many times and will come back at full strength, ready for another championship.
January 20th, 2010 at 9:49 am
@ DieHard - You ask what the team needs? I would say, besides the time it has taken to find cohesion, is just the breaks that come and go over 82 games. This team has third fewest losses in the West while trying to find a rhythm, get Manu back into form while dealing with early injuries.
I look at the season thus far and see a team that has been one play from winning in Dallas, in Utah, in Memphis, plus a few self-inflicted mistakes from beating Boston, Portland and OKC in home games. Every good team has stretches where this happens. I think the Spurs are closer than we think and need only more time together and to remain healthy. Getting Bonner back is another plus before the Rodeo Trip.
January 20th, 2010 at 1:15 pm
@ SpurredOn - I agree with your assessment. I also think that the continuing development and increased minutes of Blair is a huge plus going into the 2nd half. Having Blair playing this many minutes at this level is not something that we had in the 1st half of the season as he was being integrated into the team, and maybe his improvement will cause more of the breaks to go our way in the 2nd half of the season.
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