Remember the two previous posts I did with regards to 'what to observe' in the Spurs game? That was followed by an evaulation of how the Horents performed in those areas.
I wrote about the "slip cuts' 'off the ball alertness vs weak side slashers and dribble penetration.
A missed shot doesn't always mean that a team played good defense. ( difference between a pressured shot and the open shot)
During the game I saw ball and player penetration by the Spurs and commented to myself." ther're missing from close range".....the Spurs were 4-16 with shots from 5-9ft.....18-30 15 ft or less....they had 52 pts in the paint with over 40 shots from within the 5ft range!
While the game was a close one (except for that 17-5 killer Spurs run) the Spurs ball + player actions were finding all the space they need vs the Hornets. ( its still early in the learning process)
Tonight the Horents face a Utah team that got to the FT LINE 42 times vs Dallas...ball and player movement will be an issue to deal with tonight.
Another test for the team defense....its a back to back as the team plays in Chicago tomorrow night.