What number of instances are you able to make the identical mistake till it turns into part of who you’re? Maybe it’s too philosophical of a query for normal season basketball in December, however we’re attending to that time with the San Antonio Spurs.
Over the course of the Spurs fourteen-straight losses, the video games have adopted a well-known system. A superb-to-(sometimes-)stellar first half of basketball that’s thwarted by a poor second half. To debate the Spurs second half struggles in a “what we discovered” piece feels fallacious. Nobody has to study something about it. It’s recognized. But, right here we’re, specializing in second half struggles after a 121-106 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans.
I noticed a tweet that just about summed up my ideas about Friday’s sport:
I gotta say, the Spurs aren’t ok defensively to even have five-minute scoreless spells. That is a nasty mixture
— Jeff McDonald (@JMcDonald_SAEN) December 2, 2023
With 10-minutes left to go within the fourth quarter, the Spurs had pulled inside 5 factors of the Pelicans. This after all comes after a disastrous 17-7 run to begin the third quarter wherein the Spurs turned the ball over six instances to assist New Orleans construct a double-digit lead. They might rating simply six factors within the subsequent 5 minutes because the Pelicans went forward double digits once more. That stretch was crammed with disjointed offense and two turnovers.
Defensively the Spurs allowed the Pelicans to bully them inside. They have been outscored within the paint 52-38 and allowed the Pelicans to get to the free throw line 29 instances the place they hit 27 free throws. These dribble drives allowed to Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson would result in straightforward dump offs to Jonas Valančiūnas or kick outs for Herbert Jones and Trey Murphy III three balls. Particularly with out Victor Wembanyama, the Spurs aren’t ok to make these sorts of errors on each ends.
I perceive the frustration from followers. It was purported to get higher with Wembanyama. Whereas the crew is clearly nonetheless rebuilding, you’d wish to see some progressions year-over-year within the win division. In some ways, this season feels extra irritating than the final, regardless of the thrill of watching Wembanyama play.
The Silver and Black have two extra possibilities to get a win earlier than they tie the franchise file for many losses in a row. That was set by final yr’s crew at 16 video games. Breaking that file can be massively disappointing for a crew that’s stepping again when it needs to be transferring ahead into the long run.
Takeaways
As I watched the Spurs on Friday, I believed to myself – “Man, they actually do miss loads of open pictures for an NBA crew.” I had no concept it was this unhealthy. In keeping with Synergy Sports activities, the Spurs are capturing 39.6% on UNGUARDED catch and shoot jumpers. They shoot 33.5% when they’re guarded on the identical makes an attempt. They’re barely hitting over a 3rd of their open leap pictures. That places them within the twenty third percentile within the NBA. How can an offense operate when it could possibly’t hit open pictures? Even when the Spurs generate look, they will’t end it.
In Again to again video games the Spurs have turned the ball over 20 or extra instances. They’re third within the league in turnovers at 16.6 a sport. It’s unattainable to run an environment friendly offense when you could have that many empty possessions. On Friday so lots of them have been unforced. Travels, unhealthy passes that sail out of bounds. Certain it’s a younger crew and the second sport of a again to again, however the turnovers want to come back down.
Groups crush the Spurs on the offensive glass too. They gave up 10 offensive boards to the Pelicans. The Spurs are giving up the third most offensive boards within the NBA at 9.5 a video games. Valančiūnas crushed them on the boards, placing up 24 factors and 12 rebounds. All the turnovers, second possibilities, uneven play and paint scoring differential inform the story of an unexperienced, undisciplined crew that has quite a bit to study. Fortunately there are nonetheless 63 video games to go.
I don’t wish to be utterly destructive right here (it’s arduous after a sport like that.) There have been enhancements throughout the roster on a person degree. Jeremy Sochan has became a semi-reliable leap shooter if left large open. Simply being a menace from deep ought to open some driving lanes for him. Keldon Johnson looks as if a extra environment friendly participant, taking jumpers in rhythm as an alternative of forcing them. He’s additionally been higher defending on the ball than final season. Devin Vassell is constant to develop as a go-to scorer, if solely he may have the ball in his arms extra typically. Charles Bassey is a legit backup large man within the league. He’s obtained quite a bit to enhance on offensively, however his dimension and athleticism make him rim protector and intriguing rim-running prospect. Malaki Branham is inconsistent however clearly has some expertise as a scorer that simply want refining. Hopefully seeing two threes go down will enhance his confidence after beginning the season capturing 29% from deep.
