Open Thread: The Spurs were 25-11 on Dec. 28th. They’ve gone 11-16 since.
Bruno Passos breaks down a 2018 that San Antonio would like to forget.
PtR Contributor Bruno Passos has been breaking down what has been going on with the Spurs. In a series of tweets, he analyzes offensive efficiency…
The offense has remained middle of the pack. 105.6 rating before Dec. 29th, 105.2 after.
Defensively, though, they’ve gone from a 101.7 rating to 103.3. Not disastrous — still 5th in the NBA over that span, compared to the 2nd overall rating they had before.
— Bruno Passos (@bouncepassos) March 4, 2018
…a shift in player minutes and role changes…
Bertans has seen the biggest shift, going from less than 10 in 2017 to 21.7 since Dec. 30th.
— Bruno Passos (@bouncepassos) March 4, 2018
…the marquee players…
Kawhi Leonard appeared in 5 games before, and 4 after, and his numbers are better after. 12.6 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 1.4 apg on 49.6 FG% vs. 20.8 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 3.5 apg on 44.8 FG%.
— Bruno Passos (@bouncepassos) March 4, 2018
…net rating and crunch time…
There’s a bit of luck and randomness in crunch time, but the Spurs have typically been good in those situations because of their execution and continuity. Lacking the latter, the former has suffered.
— Bruno Passos (@bouncepassos) March 4, 2018
…varied starting line-ups, schedule…
Another factor: strength of schedule.
There are probably better ways to show it, but here’s one: 15 of the first 36 games were against team’s that are now on pace to make the playoffs. They also played DAL 4x and CHI 2x in that span. 14 of the past 27 have been playoff teams.
— Bruno Passos (@bouncepassos) March 4, 2018
…injuries…
Beyond Kawhi, other injuries + rest have had an impact. Patty Mills is the only Spur to have appeared in all 63 games.
Here’s how many other key players have missed:
LA: 6
Pau: 4
Rudy: 25
Tony: 37
Danny: 12
Manu: 15— Bruno Passos (@bouncepassos) March 4, 2018
…and Kawhi Leonard, which of course, has been the biggest deciding factor this season.
(sorry for the thread) pic.twitter.com/HFKtgxj74v
— Bruno Passos (@bouncepassos) March 4, 2018
If you do not currently follow Bruno, I highly recommend it. In my first year with PtR, I have found his writing and feedback invaluable. @bouncepassos
If you look up near DJ Quake during any home game, you can wave to Bruno just below as he preps the Recap for each and every home game. Give him some love!
Spurs host the Memphis Grizzlies tonight at the AT&T Center. Let’s cheer on the Silver & Black as they close out this homestand.
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Source: Pounding The Rock
