Wayne Winston, who served as a statistical consultant to the Dallas Mavericks for the last nine years, and is the author of Mathletics, was kind enough to explore a handful of Spurs-related questions with me. Over the next few days I’ll put up a series of short posts detailing the more salient moments of our [...]

Last week we ran a series of features exploring three options for the Spurs: Make no move; make a minor roster move; and make a major roster move. There was supposed to be one more- a post arguing that we should make moves focused on future seasons- that for various reasons was never published. After [...]

For all the summer excitement of Richard Jefferson, Antonio McDyess and DeJuan Blair, perhaps the biggest offseason acquisition has been George Hill the shooting guard. Before joining 48MoH, I wrote in my seldom read blog that the stories of the preseason were the play of Blair and Hill. Blair, for proving his game translates (at [...]

It may be temporary, and due to injury, but George Hill is a starting NBA point guard much earlier than anticipated. Not bad for another of the Spurs’ “where did he come from” draft picks. Because he has improved so much from last season to this one, a lot of expectations have been placed on [...]

For the first time this season, the Spurs look like a team that can consistently beat quality opponents. Last night’s advanced box score tells the story in numbers, but the game also gave rise to a few developing trends. I’d like to use this recap to highlight this game’s place in that context.

In a game against the Memphis Grizzlies, the spotlight might not glow very bright George Hill, but for a night at least, it’s yours-even if it is only on Fox Sports Southwest. An outstanding backup point guard? Sure. A quality shooting guard? Check. But the lead guard for the entire night? He’s done it before [...]

Via the Express-News: If there was still doubt about whether Hill belonged in the NBA — and there wasn’t — his performance Monday answered it. Thrust into the starting lineup with Richard Jefferson ailing, Hill scored 16 points in the Spurs’ 97-90 victory over the Hornets, a number secondary to the unquantifiable damage he wreaked [...]

With around 7 minutes left in the 3rd quarter, the Spurs found themselves ahead by 12. The previous play had featured a nice back-to-the-basket move by DeJuan Blair, and after Peja Stojakovic dribbled into a 16-foot spin-around fadeaway miss (not the shot the Hornets want Peja taking), Duncan secured the rebound and San Antonio was [...]

“La plus belle des ruses du diable est de vous persuader qu’il n’existe pas.” -Baudelaire Kobe Bryant’s early exit and Pau Gasol’s overall absence dampened the enthusiasm that would normally follow a 20 point win by the Spurs over the Lakers. But even before back spasms made Bryant a non-factor, a 23-year-old second year point [...]

Yesterday I ran a piece that attempted to point out an obvious development that some have missed: Tim Duncan is playing very well this season. Some want to qualify this by saying Duncan is receiving less double-teams, to which my response is “so what?” and “is he really?” Honestly, I’m not sure that assertion is [...]

Above is the play-by-play for the final ten seconds of last night’s game against the Indiana Pacers. Hidden inside this very standard and typically unhelpful form of score-keeping is a wealth of information about what has been going right and wrong for the Spurs this season.

Gregg Popovich’s favorite player is on the mind of basketball pundits. From my point of view, George Hill is much-improved this season. His ability to run the offense-as opposed to running to the corner for a spot up three-has been on showcase since Summer League. His increase in minutes between seasons (from 16 to 25) is [...]

The San Antonio Spurs defeated the Philadelphia 76es 97-89 last night, extending their winning streak to 5. The Spurs are now 9-6. So far as winning streaks go, the current run is nothing to brag about. The Spurs have played 4 of 5 at home, beating Washington, Milwaukee, Golden State, Houston and Philadelphia. Prior to [...]

NBA Stats After blowing a substantial first half lead late in the second quarter, the Spurs regained control during the third and cruised to 14 point victory over Milwaukee Bucks, a franchise which has given us an inexplicable amount of trouble during the Tim Duncan era. A quick glance at the traditional box score paints [...]

Even though San Antonio and Dallas played one another just last week, that game is already ancient history. The Spurs were without Tim Duncan and Tony Parker in their first go-round with the Mavs, and Richard Jefferson led the team with 29 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. With Parker and Duncan back in the [...]