3-on-3: Offseason questions for the Spurs
Can this guy be the Spurs' next elite defender? (Photo credit: NilDesperandum_)
5-on-5 is a favorite feature over at ESPN.com where five TrueHoop Network members and ESPN.com NBA staff answer five questions about the NBA. This feature has since been spread to TrueHoop Network sites as 3-on-3 where three bloggers answer three burning questions. Look for our 3-on-3 every Monday morning during the lockout. Today, we tackle three important questions about the Spurs’ offseason.
1. What needs to improve defensively for the Spurs to be competitive in 2011-12?
Timothy Varner, 48 Minutes of Hell: Everything. I know that sounds like a cheap answer, but it’s true. The Spurs’ defense was not exceptional in any way last season. If I’m Popovich, I’d live with scoring 90 points a night if the opposing team is only tallying 88.
Graydon Gordian, 48 Minutes of Hell: I imagine most people would argue the Spurs need another reliable defensive presence in the post to counter the bruising frontcourts of teams like L.A. and Memphis. But I’ve been saying it since Bruce Bowen retired and I’ll say it again: What the Spurs need most is a lockdown perimeter defender who can slow down the league’s elite wing players.
Andrew McNeill, 48 Minutes of Hell: Foot speed. It doesn’t matter where, the Spurs are slow at covering the floor on defense. They struggle against the pick-and-roll, the pick-and-pop, and they struggle closing out on shooters. With more youth in the rotation (Kawhi Leonard, healthy James Anderson), this situation could be remedied. It’ll still be a problem for Tim Duncan, though.
2. Offensively, should the Spurs speed it up or slow it down this season?
Timothy Varner, 48 Minutes of Hell: If, as I believe, the Spurs need across-the-board improvement on defense, then those efforts are best served by slowing the pace. Simple things, like transition defense, are easier to master if the Spurs dictate a slow tempo.
Graydon Gordian, 48 Minutes of Hell: The Spurs need to keep pushing the ball. As Duncan has declined, the steadily quickening pace has played into the hands of Parker, Ginobili and the team’s steadily emerging youth movement. The team’s comparatively fast paced offense was not the problem last season. There’s no reason to tinker with it too much.
Andrew McNeill, 48 Minutes of Hell: Speed it up. The Spurs offense was excellent early in the season when the team was running. The defense, not so much. I don’t think that was caused by the offense, however, last year’s Spurs team simply wasn’t that good at defending. They Spurs also aren’t as efficient at executing in the half court due to Tim Duncan’s decline.
3. Where should the Spurs’ priority be in free agency when the lockout ends?
Timothy Varner, 48 Minutes of Hell: Some might say reserve point, but I think there are plenty of low cost stop-gap options available to fill that need. The Spurs need another big. Preferably, a defensive big with legit size who can also provide a little scoring. I know what you’re thinking, “That should be easy enough.” And that’s why I think it’s San Antonio’s top priority.
Graydon Gordian, 48 Minutes of Hell: The Spurs’s free agency priorities are not so different than they have been the last couple of seasons: San Antonio needs a reliable post presence next to Duncan and an elite perimeter defender. Which you prioritize depends on how much confidence you have in Kawhi Leonard to fill the latter role eventually.
Andrew McNeill, 48 Minutes of Hell: Find a cheap big man. Antonio McDyess’s plans are still up in the air, so the Spurs may need to add a big to the rotation. If they can find a legit 7-footer who can be a pain around the rim, San Antonio’s defense should improve greatly. Otherwise, figure out Tony Parker’s backup.
Related posts:
- Following the latest in the lockout
- The 4-Down Podcast, Episode 35: Trey Kerby of The Basketball Jones
