Best way to counter this team?

[SpursBills]

Styles make fights, and it's been clear after these last three games that the Spurs roster makeup matches up with OKC very well. SGA is a skill/guile-based shotmaker with height and length but limited athleticism. Castle matches him in size, can hold his own in guile, and exceeds him in athleticism/strength. I'm curious what OKC looks like when Ajay Mitchell gets healthy again and whether having him as an outlet valve significantly influences this matchup.

That being said, what are some of the ways that the weaknesses of this current Spurs iteration can be exploited? And one step further, what are some things that the Spurs can then do to counter this?

Off the top of my head -

1. Dominant offensive rebounders to win the possession battle and exploit Spurs' relatively size starting Barnes at the 4 and Wemby's frame - i.e. Mitch Robinson, Steven Adams, Thompson twins

2. Offensive initiator that can match/exceed our guards in strength/size/athleticism - Anthony Edwards is the only one I can really think of off the top of my head

3. Post-op bigs who can continue to go right at Wemby and potentially get him in foul trouble - Jokic, Sengun

4. Waterbug initiators who are both fast and athletic? Not sure if Fox has lost a step in being able to guard this type of player - best example is probably Tyrese Maxey, maybe Donovan Mitchell

Counters to the counters?

1. The age old unicorn that we all want - 4 with size who can shoot and rebound. Alternatively, French Vanilla lineup is possibly a solution to this, but need a better third big who can protect the rim
2. Not much to be done about this one
3. Again, need for a third quality big in case Wemby/Kornet minutes need to be increased
4. 3 and D guard in the mold of Jamal Shead/Cason Wallace/Keon Ellis would be a nice lower priority offseason acquisition

Curious to see other potential counters / weaknesses of this team


Signed,

Pam "definitely not Sam Presti" Sresti

 

[100%Duncan]

Pollen season is this team’s kryptonite

 

[Robz4000]

Pollen season is this team’s kryptonite

Just about time for Sneezy to make his triumphant return tbh.

 

[BatManu20]

Physical teams with multiple physical bigs like the Knicks & T-Wolves give us trouble. Also, given our propensity to leave shooters wide open, teams that shoot really well from 3, like the Suns.

 

[mo7888]

Styles make fights, and it's been clear after these last three games that the Spurs roster makeup matches up with OKC very well. SGA is a skill/guile-based shotmaker with height and length but limited athleticism. Castle matches him in size, can hold his own in guile, and exceeds him in athleticism/strength. I'm curious what OKC looks like when Ajay Mitchell gets healthy again and whether having him as an outlet valve significantly influences this matchup.

That being said, what are some of the ways that the weaknesses of this current Spurs iteration can be exploited? And one step further, what are some things that the Spurs can then do to counter this?

Off the top of my head -

1. Dominant offensive rebounders to win the possession battle and exploit Spurs' relatively size starting Barnes at the 4 and Wemby's frame - i.e. Mitch Robinson, Steven Adams, Thompson twins

2. Offensive initiator that can match/exceed our guards in strength/size/athleticism - Anthony Edwards is the only one I can really think of off the top of my head

3. Post-op bigs who can continue to go right at Wemby and potentially get him in foul trouble - Jokic, Sengun

4. Waterbug initiators who are both fast and athletic? Not sure if Fox has lost a step in being able to guard this type of player - best example is probably Tyrese Maxey, maybe Donovan Mitchell

Counters to the counters?

1. The age old unicorn that we all want - 4 with size who can shoot and rebound. Alternatively, French Vanilla lineup is possibly a solution to this, but need a better third big who can protect the rim
2. Not much to be done about this one
3. Again, need for a third quality big in case Wemby/Kornet minutes need to be increased
4. 3 and D guard in the mold of Jamal Shead/Cason Wallace/Keon Ellis would be a nice lower priority offseason acquisition

Curious to see other potential counters / weaknesses of this team


Signed,

Pam "definitely not Sam Presti" Sresti

Sam....uhh... I mean Pam... I think OKC would trounce this iteration of the Spurs if they could somehow trade for Embiid... just devastating...

 

[Itzsoweezee]

Physical teams with multiple physical bigs like the Knicks & T-Wolves give us trouble. Also, given our propensity to leave shooters wide open, teams that shoot really well from 3, like the Suns.

Yes, this is the formula. With wemby’s minutes restriction, it seems Mitch is unwilling to play the French vanilla lineup, and olynik has been somewhat underwhelming. Good luck finding a player that can defend bigs, rebound, and shoot.

 

[Seventyniner]

Now imagine trying to counter the Spurs when Wemby gets to play 32-36 mpg for a series.

 

[LeBowen]

Our 3pt line defense isn't great, especially defending the corners.
Got to give something up, but in the modern NBA those 3s torch you every so often.

 

[STAT88]

Steph Curry going for 50 off a bunch of moving screens and cheap fouls.