I was just thinking.. wouldn't a slower pace that causes less possessions per game (translating to lower opp. PPG) be considered good defense??? It seems as though a lot of the responses had the tone that this stat isn't good at determining defense because we have a slower pace style. If that style is on purpose and planned, how is that not to be considered with the same standard as opponent FG% and other defensive statistics. It's like saying the suns aren't a good offensive team they just push the tempo. In my opinion as long as slowing down the pace and focusing on half-court sets to limit possessions is what is practiced and enforced by the coach, then the stat for fewest opponent PPG is a credible gauge of defensive skill. The key is to have both a low opp. FG% and low opp. PPG.. which we which are probably top 5 when those stats are combined. As another poster said, we will have a good test tonight vs phoenix to see if our defense is true to what the stats are showing.
I don't know guys, we tend to play a "grind it out" type of basketball under JVG so far this season, and as such we limit our positions in the game probably more so than any other team (Miami with Shaq might be close). I don't really buy into the "points allowed" formula as an indicator of a team's defensive performance. I would be interested in knowing how high we rank if we neutralize that factor. I know we have one of the best defensive teams in the league, I am just not sure if it is, in fact, "the best".
Based on points allowed per possession, it's not the best. San Antonio's is. And they've been the top defensive team for years.
Youd be right, we play at the leagues lowest pace, but we're 2nd in defensive efficiency. If only we could maintaing that defensive ranking while increasing the pace so we can get our offense into a better rythm
Controlling pace is only a defensive strategy so far as it helps in limiting the opposing team's efficiency. For instance, you could slow the game down to a crawl, but if you're letting the opposing team score virtually every time that's not good defense. They may only end up scoring 90 points, but the object of a defense is to limit the opposing team's scoring such that you improve your chances of outscoring them. If they're scoring every time, then that means you have to do the same just to match them (since you have pretty much the same number of possessions to work with). Your "defense" is nothing but a charade in that case.
I am not surprised, especially having seen how they completely shut us down for a long stretch during their embarrassing comeback against the Rockets. The Spurs have no excuse (barring health issues) not to win it all this season. I would still rate their defense a notch above ours.
