Tuesday, October 24, 2017

Unfettered Optimism: Spurs Start Strong

The 2017-2018 season has begun, and the Spurs are 3-0. Of course they are, they're the Spurs. Did I mention that they are playing without Kawhi Leonard and Tony Parker? Who cares? There's always a bit of excitement to start out a new season and this season is no different, in fact, there may be more buzz, despite the prediction of an inevitable fourth Golden State Warriors/Cleveland Cavaliers showdown in the NBA Finals. But the season is young and anything can happen, and I certainly like what I'm seeing so far from the other guys and the hope is that we'll get better when Kawhi and Tony come back. Here are three things I'm super excited about.
1. Beast-mode LMA

It's only 3 games, but LaMarcus Aldridge is ballin'. So far he's averaging 24.3 points, 9.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.7 blocks per game. All of this on 45.9% shooting. Now, granted, without Kawhi, Aldridge warrants 20+ shot attempts per game, but watching the games, there is a patented difference, and I think we all agree that Aldridge could have averaged more than 14 shots per game in his previous two seasons in San Antonio. It seems like the well-documented (for Spurs' standards) chat that Aldrdige had with Popovich is working, enough for the front office to be comfortable enough to hand him an extension. The renewed focus on getting Aldridge involved in the offense however, is not a return to Portland LaMarcus, where the ball is thrown into the post and dribbling for four seconds. LaMarcus looks comfortable with the ball and is really intentional about all of his moves, he's learning some of that efficiency of motion that Kawhi Leonard has. He's decisive and aggressive with the ball, making the right attack or the right pass (I mean 3.3 assists!).

2. DeJounte is the real deal

The measurements of DeJounte Murray are pretty crazy considering he's a point guard. His Draft Express profile lists him at 6'5" with a 6'9" wingspan, though Sean Elliott keeps saying 7-foot wingspan. Regardless, that's long. He kind of came to notice across the league last season when he was thrust into the starting role after Tony Parker's quadriceps injury. Spurs fans however, have been drooling at when this lanky Jamal Crawford protege would take the next step. It seems like it will be sooner rather than later. Over the last three games he's averaging 13.3 points, 9.7 (that's not a typo) rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game on 56.7% (again not a typo) shooting. Despite my penchant to compare poor shooting point guards to Tony Parker, I think there really is merit to that comparison in this instant. Murray has shown to be aggressive and fearless in going to the rim. He's not quite as fearless about contact as Tony is, opting for floaters a little further from the rim, but he's got the length to get around a lot of defenders. If Chip Engelland can do with Murray what he did with Parker, starting with that pull up jumper off the screen, he'll be scary. He's already better defensively than Tony Parker just with his focus and length, getting all into those passing lanes (1.3 steals per game).

3. Danny Green is still really good on defense

Last season was a poor shooting season for Danny, which translates to 37.9% from three. However, I take comfort that a  "poor shooting season" for Danny is still better than the 3 point shooting for the entire Timberwolves' starting lineup from last season. Andrew Wiggins shot 35.6%; Jimmy Butler, 36.7%; Karl-Anthony Towns, 36.7%; Jeff Teague, 35.7%; and Taj Gibson didn't shoot any 3's. As we saw in the first game spacing was an issue there. Danny, so far, is back up to 41.2% shooting from beyond the arc this season, but what's giving him value is the thing that he's been doing quietly ever since he became a starter on the Spurs, defense. He's averaging 1 steal and 2.3, yes 2.3! blocks per game so far. He got 5 in that last game against Toronto. Just watching him, he's just great at knowing where players are going to move the ball in their shot, which makes him a dangerous transition defender. He also looks very comfortable putting the ball on the floor now. He's not going to cross anyone up, but he can get to the rim. If he can maintain his career average 40% from beyond the arc, I think Spurs will be extra scary.

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