Is that they've actually gotten out to this start by being the most efficient offensive team (109.6 points per 100 possessions). Great Spurs teams in the past were disciplined, smart, suffocating defensive teams that could execute in the half court when they needed to. Their offense wasn't always pretty though and if you were going to complain about the team you usually found something going on on offense, like free throw shooting.

The Spurs are 2nd in the league in the least turnovers allowed, 5th in assists, and 4th in effective field goal percentage.

The defense isn't bad, it's still 7th in defensive efficiency. However at 100.7 points per defensive efficiency, they are a long way from the great Spurs defenses of the past. I believe one of their teams was in the mid-80's.

It is surprising. That begs the question would you rather have the top defensive team with a top 10 offense or would you rather have the best offense with a top 10 defense? Or does it not matter?

The top defense team with a top 10 offense would be Miami, surprisingly.

The top offense / top 10 defense sounds like the Lakers model of just being unstoppable offensively, but being able to get stops when you need them... as opposed to the Spurs who were the other way around.

The Spurs have always been fairly efficient on offense, but never lit up the scoreboard like they are now. I would like to see better defense.


Jefferson is still something of a disappointment. He is shooting a solid percentage from beyond the arc, but that isn't what he was brought in to do. He is supposed to create his own shot and he can't. Most of his points come on assisted backdoor cuts and catch-and-shoot plays; almost any player could fill in his role and do about what he is doing. He also frequently blows the open shots other players create for him. Two whiffed dunks in the first half tonight, although one might have been an uncalled foul.

He needs to help Manu and Tony shoulder the load instead of feeding off of them, and his defense needs to improve.

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He is supposed to create his own shot and he can't. Most of his points come on assisted backdoor cuts and catch-and-shoot plays

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You just described his entire career. His "glory days" in New Jersey were glorious because Jason Kidd was setting him up. IMO he's never been a guy who is proficient at creating his own shot.

I agree that the missed dunks/layups are infuriating, but he's the 4th option on this team and that's an adjustment from earlier in his career. I'll be happy if he can start to make an efficient living off of Ginobili/Parker/Duncan's scraps.

[This message has been edited by MassAggie97 (edited 1/12/2011 8:15a).]

I disagree that Jefferson is supposed to create his own shot for a living on this team. Already have Parker, Manu, and Duncan that can do that. Jefferson needs to knock down jumpers and be ready to finish on passes in the lane along with running on the break. Basically if a team is focused on stopping the Big 3 and leaving Jefferson open he needs to make them pay. If he can do that and play decent defense that' all we need out of him.

I've always felt like he was supposed to make the team less dependent on Manu. Right now the Spurs don't need him to create offense, but if Manu goes down who steps into his role? I think it was supposed to be Jefferson, but so far this year Matt Bonner has been more effective driving the lane than Jefferson has.

So yes, for now it's ok that he occasionally has a good night when the other team forgets about him and he isn't tripping over his own feet, but I was hoping for a little more out of him.