IMO the Spurs offense breaks down into two "sets".
First is the inside-out game of dumping to the low post (Duncan), wait for the double/triple team and pass out to the 3 pt line. Usually the person who feeds the post then cuts through the lane while the other players rotate towards the top along the 3-pt line. If the double isn't quick/hard enough Duncan takes the shot. Some times this will evolve into Duncan being isolated out off the block where he will use glass and often get the "and 1" when he comes up with his arms while the defender is reaching in. The lack of this facet of the game is a big reason the Spurs have struggled to hold 4th quarter leads while Duncan has been out.
This is Pop's favorite as it usually ends up with a good look at the basket and controls the tempo of the game. The key is to have 2 "shooters" on at least during part of the game. Last year it was Parker/Jackson/Kerr/Bowen this year it has to be Parker/Manu/Hedo/Bowen/Ward. This is also why the Spurs will go for 5-6 minute stretchs of games without scoring.
The second set is the motion offense that has been run since Duncan has been out. It works real well with Parker/Manu/Hedo all on the floor together....all 3 can handle the ball, get into the lane and hit the outside shot. Puts a lot of pressure on the defense. Rasho & Horry are also better passers than most people realize. Bowen has worked onhis ball handling skills - he often fakes the 3 and drive in for a short jumper or floater to the rim. It allows the shooters to get more in rythym. The Spurs try to run this with Duncan on the floor but it often doesn't work. The players either don't cut as hard or end up standing around watching Duncan and it dissolves into set #1 above. Also since this offense tends to lead to a faster tempo, more turnovers and puts more pressure on the transitional defense Pop rarely uses it.
With Duncan I would say the mix is set 1 - 85-90%; set 2 - 10-15%
Without Duncan set 1 - 15-20% (Rasho/Rose as post); set 2 - 80-85%
And as far as the Spurs "gelling"....it is often misunderstood that with Pop's simple offense why does it take so long. It isn't the offense that takes time. It is the defensive sets that take time. The Spurs play a very team oriented defense. Lots of rotations/switches....it has always been almost a matchup zone for years. It takes time for the players to learn their assignments first, then they have to develop that trust in their teammates that comes from playing together. Pop stated just last week that the Spurs have better defensive numbers on the road than they have at home. He attributes it to that the team is closer on the road and that trust develops faster.
Another thing I started to notice in the last few games before Duncan went out - the five that finish the game for the Spurs. It is usually Parker, Manu, Bowen, Hedo & Duncan. The Spurs also will often employ their all-international lineup: Parker, Manu, Hedo, Duncan & Rasho. This lineup is one of the better defensive lineups for the Spurs.
Another x-factor to watch for the Spurs is a young sg named Devin Brown. He is the reason the Spurs let Mercer go. He had beaten him out as the #3 sg behind Hedo & Manu. Pop has gone to using Manu as the backup pg to get more minutes for Brown the last few games.
Let the questions/protestations/criticisms begin.......
:ph34r:
