Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Could This Be The Greatest Spurs Team Ever?


Could This Be The Greatest Spurs Team Ever?
By David Shepard, OTSL Special Contributor

Is this the greatest San Antonio Spurs team ever?  If they were to win a championship this season, they would be just the fourth NBA franchise to win the title five times.  When you examine the points per game differential, the 36-year old Tim Duncan's resurgence and their overall depth/balance, one could very well make an argument that this could be the greatest Spurs team ever assembled.

Spin 1: They are winning and scoring more than they ever have

In all their runs for a title the Spurs have never gone 8-0 in their first 8 games. They have done that in this postseason.  They have also through their first 8 games not allowed an opponent to score 100 points.  They had not accomploshed that in their first 8 games in any of their championship runs either.

The Spurs are also averaging 102.5 points per game, that is more than any other year through their first 8 games in which they won the title.  Their points per game disparity is +13.7 through their first 8 games.  That is by far the greatest point per game differential they have had compared to any of their previous 4 NBA championships runs.

Championship Runs, First 8 Games
                ‘11-12*       ‘06-07     ‘04-05    ’02-03    ‘99#   
W-L            8-0             6-2           6-2         6-2        7-1
PPG         102.5           93.0       100.5       93.0     91.8 
Opp PPG   88.8           86.0         89.4       86.0     84.6
*Haven't Won Championship
#Shortened lockout season


Spin 2: Tim Duncan Has Found the Fountain Of Youth
Given Duncan's caliber of play this postseason he has found the fountain of youth.  Duncan's postseason high last season was 16 points.  Duncan has played in 8 postseason contests so far, in six games he has scored more than 16 points.  Last playoffs Duncan failed to convert on 50 percent of his field goal attempts in 4 out of 6 games.  In 8 games during these playoffs, he has converted on at least 50 percent of his field goal attempts six different times.  That is quite the contrast from last season.

A Different Tim Duncan Last Two Postseasons
                2011-12      2010-11
PPG           17.6            12.7
FG pct        54.0            47.8
FT pct        79.2             62.5
 
Spin 3: The Spurs have more depth and balance than ever before
 
The Spurs, in any of their title runs, have never had 4 players shoot at least 50 percent from the field through their first 8 playoff games.  In this postseason they have 5 players doing just that.

During their current postseason run they have six players that are averaging at least 8 points per game.  They are so deep, that it includes two players off the bench.  That is higher than any of their other 4 NBA championships through their first 8 games.

Spurs Championship Runs (Players With At Least 100 Minutes Played)
                                    ‘11-12*    ‘06-07         ‘04-05         ‘02-03        1999#
Averaging 8 PPG            6            4                  5                 5               5    
Shooting  50 pct              5            3                  2                 2               1
*Haven't Won Title Yet
#Shortened Lockout Season


When you add it all up a serious case could be made for this being the best Spurs team of all time.  At worst, this could be the first Spurs team to win a championship in a even numbered year!

Monday, May 14, 2012


Kobe or Kevin?

Who Is The Best Player In The Lakers-Thunder Series

by Dave Shepard, OTSL Special Contributor


A lot of the attention is going to the Metta World Peace and James Harden Rivalry. What might be going under the radar is the fact that two of the most prolific scorers in the NBA are also facing off. It truly begs the question, right now who would you take as the best player in this series, Kobe or KD?

Spin 1: Kobe Has Played Better This Postseason

Kobe despite playing in the league for 11 more seasons than Durant is averaging more points per game and dishing the rock with greater efficiency in the playoffs. Kobe has done this despite playing in a grueling seven game series, Durant has only played four games thus far. Kobe has scored 30 points at least four times in these playoffs. Durant has only had one 30-point game in the 2012 postseason.

Kobe is Still The Superior Player
           2012 NBA Playoffs
              Bryant     Durant
PPG          29.1        26.5
APG           5.0         3.8
RPG           4.6         7.5

Spin 2: Durant has more support than Kobe

Both Westbrook and Harden are averaging more points per contest than both Bynum and Gasol. Harden and Westbrook are largely considered to be the other 2/3 of the Big Three for the Thunder, comparable to Bynum and Gasol for the Lakers Big 3. Both Bynum and Gasol combined are averaging less than 30 points per game so far in these playoffs. Meanwhile, the other part of the big three for the Thunder in Westbrook and Harden are averaging more than a combined 40 points per contest in the playoffs.

Niether Harden nor Westbrook had a game in which they scored less than double figures. Bynum and Gasol have had two so far between them during these playoffs. The Thunder played against the reigning NBA champions. The Lakers bigs were going against an undersized Nuggets team, a squad that had 0 All-Stars. As a result of that Durant has more fire power than the Lakers.

Kobe And Durant Support System
                                                        2012 NBA Playoffs
                                           Gasol + Bynum       Westbrook + Harden
PPG                                                     29.6                               40.6
Single Digit Scoring Games             2                                   0


Spin 3: Wins In the Playoffs Never Lie and Experience Always Comes Into Play

Kobe Bryant also happens to be third all-time in playoff career points. He has scored 5,484 points in his postseason career. He is 504 points away from passing Michael Jordan for the most all-time. Bryant has led the NBA playoffs in most points scored in a single postseason on five different occasions. Kevin Durant has never accomplished this feat once, despite being a three-time scoring champ during the regular season. Kobe has clearly had the advantage in team success as well.

Kobe Is The Master
                       Playoff Careers
                       Bryant     Durant
Points               5,484       743
Series Wins         33          3
Titles                     5             0

No matter who your pick is, this series is going to be must see TV.  It'll be NBA Playoff basketball at its best!