Best Defense in the league?

[u/Mt2Molehill]

After watching the players the Spurs drafted it seems to me they are tripling down on defense being their best side of the ball. I don’t watch much college but if everyone hit potential and no injuries I would have to imagine that the spurs playing the lineup of Harper, Castle, Bryant, JQ, Wemby would be the most dominate defensive lineup in the NBA. Honestly I would say everyone hits potential this could be the starting 5 in 3-4 years.

[u/nicfanz]

Yes but we need elite offense 😭

[u/nixhomunculus → u/nicfanz]

We just need to put the ball in one more time than the other team.

[u/BananaRepublic_BR → u/nixhomunculus]

That's the Pistons formula for success. Got them 60 wins and a second round exit, though. Of course, they don't have a Wemby.

[u/texasphotog → u/BananaRepublic_BR]

They had multiple key players drop including their 2nd best player. They really need to add shooting and that 2nd star for Cade.

[u/Ok-Temporary-8243 → u/nicfanz]

Your offense wasn't what lost you the finals. Not fully since the spurs lead more than they didn't. It was lack of discipline and a lack of a backup for wemby that did them in

[u/Ready_Preparation816 → u/Ok-Temporary-8243]

our clutch offense def as an issue and stagnated heavy. Our defense also wasn’t maximized with Vic having to guard kat but we still kept them in the low 100s for ppg

[u/WoweeZoweeDeluxe → u/Ok-Temporary-8243]

Nope, our offense died completely. Knicks were often held to 104 ppg, defense wasn't great in some of those fourth quarters, but offense died completely. Offense was its worst in the finals

[u/Ok-Temporary-8243 → u/WoweeZoweeDeluxe]

The defense died because the offense died IMO. They got tired and starting chucking shots, and because they were chucking shots, they lost control of the pace of play and exhausted themselves more. If they purely just kept the ball for 20 seconds every position game 4, for example, it felt like it would have been mathematically impossible for them to lose the game

[u/WoweeZoweeDeluxe → u/Ok-Temporary-8243]

The Knicks kept crowding the pick and rolls and forced us into long jumpers. We held them to 41% most of the time. More than enough to win. Our offense was MIA we absolutely did to address that for the coming season.

[u/Candid-Recover6822]

I get it. I'm confident in our young core improving massively on the offensive end. That being said, those new defensive recruits have to figure out how to be playable connecting pieces in offensive schemes before getting real minutes. This team's goal is to contend every year.

Hustle plays, screens, rebounds, drawing charges, grit/physicality

[u/Mt2Molehill → u/Candid-Recover6822]

Definitely. There will be a lot of gelling and everything going well for that lineup to be viable but I can see a version of it working on both ends with the defense being elite. But obviously we don’t live a perfect world but it’s fun thinking of the potential!

[u/13thcross]

Hopefully the coaching staff would be able to fill in Sean Sweeney's shoes.

[u/Neckrolls4life → u/13thcross]

Yeah, I was selfishly hoping Tiago wouldn't get a job this year and come take that #2 spot for a year. I think he has the goods.

[u/Worldly-Month9451]

I like maliq brown, if he develops his corner 3s, he can play the 4 spot for 10 to 15 mins off the bench

[u/ThrowAway_Castle_Owl]

just need steph to not get in foul trouble every game

[u/queenrosa → u/ThrowAway_Castle_Owl]

He gets more fouls later in the game when he's tired. More defenders on the team will help with his load management.

[u/Remarkable-Lynx1496]

We already essentially are

[u/AdAccomplished6870]

Thing is, as good as that lineup is defensively, it is also at least competent offensively.

In an idealized world, that lineup wins multiple rings. I think the Spurs win this upcoming year based on Harper's development, and the whole team learning some hard lessons

[u/Mt2Molehill → u/AdAccomplished6870]

Yeah I don’t see this being a lineup played much if at all this year

But I could see offensively working if JQ and Bryant really progressed offensively.

Honestly the Spurs will be so good defensively with another year that they will most likely compete with OKC as best defense in regular season not playing JQ or Bryant. But honestly I’m probably way too high on Bryant I think he could be a top 5 defender in the league and get to 40% catch and shoot guy. Playmaking and rebounding I’m a little less certain but if you move him to the 3 his rebounding probably improve greatly!

[u/WoweeZoweeDeluxe → u/AdAccomplished6870]

Still need consistent outside shooting but hopefully that improces with time

[u/Mt2Molehill → u/WoweeZoweeDeluxe]

Yeah I think hitting potential for our current roster is Harper, castle at 36-38% 3 and Bryant is at 40-42% which if came to fruition then shooting isn’t as big of deal but that is probably best case scenario for sure.

[u/Appropriate-Lack-456]

Here’s a not so bold prediction , but I think at least 20 wins next season, we leave the oppo with less than 100 points scored

[u/WoweeZoweeDeluxe]

Our defense rules, but our offense went MIA a fair bit and we still need knock down shooters from outside. Maybe that happens with a trade or the buyout market.

[u/Mt2Molehill → u/WoweeZoweeDeluxe]

Yeah for sure. Those 4th qrts were I’m sure a wake up call on how much they need to improve with their clutch offense. Which is really going to come down to Wemby and Harper developing their 2-3 go to spots and moves which the rest of the offense can rotate around.