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Spurs Free Throwing a Strange Dilemma

San Antonio`s offensive weapons this season, and their system, has netted them field goals at a league-leading .473 shooting percentage. That marks the Spurs` highest shooting percentage in 10 years. Many of their plays have resulted in such wide open shots that a defender wasn?t in arm?s reach of the shooter, hence there?s no chance of a shooting foul being committed.

It may not seem like much of a factor, but the Spurs? defense gets better when their players get to the line more. As usual, San Antonio is doing a nice job of keeping other teams from getting a lot of throws. Opponents thus far are getting 23.7 attempts against the Spurs, the NBA average for all teams is currently 26.7 this season. Prior to this season, in the Robinson-Duncan era, the San Antonio Spurs averaged over 26 throws a night in the regular season. Their three title teams have averaged 26.8 attempts, but this years? squad has thus far tried slightly fewer freebies than the opposition.

But San Antonio stands last in the NBA at stealing the ball, at just over 6 per game. That?s a very curious stat, considering the fact that the Spurs have All-Defensive team members and a group supporting them that isn?t bad on that side of the ball. So to some extent the Spurs? free throw shooters are victims of their own scoring success. If the Spurs keep getting to the foul line at 27 or so per night, their defense figures to lock in better and start creating more steals, as well. But it?s not a sure thing.