Fun with postseason numbers at the halfway point

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The Spurs are once again conference-finals-bound after dropping the young Trail Blazers on Wednesday night, so let’s take a look at what pops off the page.

5: A Gentleman’s Sweep, as our leader Graydon Gordian explains. Also, from this point on, I’ll always associate The Monopoly Guy with any utterance of the aforementioned phrase. Thanks, Pinche Andrew.

3: It’s the third straight year in which the Spurs have reached the Western Conference Finals, the first time that’s happened in franchise history.

143: The total scoring margin between the two teams’ reserves. San Antonio’s bench outscored Portland’s 220-77 in five games.

21.5: The net-efficiency rating of the Spurs’ bench during the second round of the postseason, one of only two benches with a positive plus-minus in the semifinals. In second place, the Miami Heat reserves at just 5.4.

93.9: Portland managed just 93.9 points per 100 possessions in the series, the worst mark of the second round. The Trail Blazers’ 108.3 offensive-effieciency rating during the regular season was good for fifth in the NBA; and for the sake of comparison, Philadelphia’s 96.8 rating was dead last. The Spurs held the Blazers to a sub-Sixer-level offensive output, albeit in a small handful of games.

32: The number of playoff series Tim Duncan has won in his 17-year career.

20: The number of playoff series the Trail Blazers franchise has won in its 44-year history.

14.5: San Antonio’s average margin of victory in its eight playoff wins, the highest mark of any team in the postseason.

1: The number of documented snake sightings in the AT&T Center’s visitors locker room during the semifinals.

7.8: Kawhi Leonard’s plus-minus during the postseason, the highest of any individual player in the playoffs.

-3: San Antonio’s scoring margin when Kawhi is off the court during the playoffs. The only Spur whose absence yields this negative result. Next closest: Manu Ginobili at 2.1, despite his shooting performances.

3: Kawhi Leonard steal-dunks during the playoffs. The steal on one end and the one-man fast-break for a slam on the other has become this dude’s signature play.

Zero: The number of times it isn’t awesome when it happens.

(At least) 5: The number of nicknames being bandied about for Kawhi.

1: Kawhi Leonard #PodiumGames. Last night’s was likely the first of many in his career.

5: The number of rough shooting games from Manu Ginobili. Is that a good thing because the Spurs won in spite of it and things should normalize, or is there real concern here? Time will tell.

8: The number of postseason wins under the Spurs’ belt thus far, and the number of wins still needed to hoist the Larry O’Brien Trophy for a fifth time. Halfway there.


  • ThatBigGuy

    I have to admit, the Sugar K Leonard keeps growing on me.

  • The Kawhiet Storm

    For the record, I coined “kawhian punch” and “kawhiet storm”.

  • Joseph Dooley

    Kawhi is averaging +7.75 and 31.7 minutes per contest in the playoffs, with a record of 8-4.

    Lebron is averaging +6.33 and 40 minutes per contest in the playoffs, with a record of 8-1.

    To summarize, Kawhi is more effective in fewer minutes against better competition than Lebron.

  • NYC

    I don’t know about coining “Kawhiet Storm,” I’m sure several people had the same idea independently of each other (like the invention of money, or agriculture), but you may have been the first to put it in writing. I was a fan of Tim Meadows’ SNL sketch back in the day where he’s a radio DJ with the tag The Quiet Storm, so that name came to me through that association. But regardless, my vote is and has always been for The Kawhiet Storm. It fits his personality to a T, and the other names aren’t even in the same galaxy if you ask me. If you were its originator, sir, then my hat’s off to you.

  • ThisGuy

    Kawhiet Riot. BOOM.

  • Daniel Chevez

    I’m a muhado so he’s mano-tas

  • camnpat

    While we wait for the next round to begin a couple of non-Spurs question for you guys (well, kinda a Spur related question since it involves a former Spur): If the Clippers lose tonight and are eliminated in the second round will Rivers get the same treatment that Vinny Del Negro got last season when he got the Clippers to the exact same spot and with pretty much the exact same record?

  • Graham

    I’ve thought of and used Kawhi-an Punch myself a few times, think it fits well, but hey, if he likes Sugar K Leonard, who are we to argue?

  • Jimbo

    I may be misremembering, but didn’t Memphis beat LAC in the first round last year? I’d say Doc Rivers has done a solid job. They actually run plays on offense now. Griffin is worlds better and Jordan is a legit defensive monster now. Yes, they had the same record, but it’s only his first year. LAC had a terrific record post-January 1, I know. They should be a force for a long time as long as Paul holds up. VDN is possibly the worst coach in recent memory, IMHO.

  • Graham

    Looks like we’re gettin the Thunder. Good. I don’t know if I could have tolerated a second playoffs with those hooligan fans saying ‘yeah well it doesn’t count cause you didn’t play us.’ Let’s decisively beat them down and settle this once and for all.

  • Schiafino

    K-BOOM….!!!

  • Joseph Dooley

    Lol, I remember that skit. Back when SNL was funny. It’s been in a 20-year decline unfortunately.

  • Ray Briggs II

    I don’t like that one. I haven’t really liked any. His name is Kawhi, he doesnt need a nickname.

  • SAJKinBigD

    Kahuna!
    /kəˈho͞onə/
    noun
    (in Hawaii) a wise man or shaman.

    NORTHAMERICAN
    (in surfing) a very large wave.

    I think these 2 fit him extremely well! :-D

  • SpurredOn

    A number to add: I believe the Blazers franchise has never won a playoff game in San Antonio, now 0-10.

    It’s a bit funny to look back at regular season worries, some of which included the opinion that the Spurs should hope they don’t face a young, athletic Blazers team in the playoffs. Especially with a 7-14 record vs them the past handful of seasons. This thought was exaggerated after the Spurs lost the first two reg season matchups. A good reminder to let things play out over the long haul.