ins, Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, Trevor Ariza, Jabari Parker, Harrison Barnes, Wesley Johnson, Joe Johnson and Luke Babbit.

Notice a pattern?

Wiggins had a negative net rating, because he's central to the Wolves offense and was guarded by Leonard. Same with Jabari Parker. The rest are players that aren't essential to the offense. Maybe that's circumstantial and random, but it's also very interesting. As a counter-example? Giannis Antetokounmpo had a 91 offensive rating, nine points below his season average.

So we know the Spurs have struggled with Leonard on the floor, and we can at least suspect this is largely because he's being frozen out defensively on several possessions and therefore can't cover for his teammates' inadequacies. But what does it mean?

Takeaways

This is not rocket science: "Hey, why don't we not give the ball to the guy guarded by a two-time defensive player of the year?" That's not exactly reinventing the wheel, and some of it is as simple as "some plays the guy you're defending is not involved," but it is notable. The biggest reason this stands out is because, unlike some other defenders like Draymond Green who can switch onto any frontcourt or backcourt player, or Rudy Gobert, who will always make his impact known with his shot blocking and rim protection, Leonard can't be maximized because of his teammates' limitations. From a broader league perspective, that's my biggest takeaway: If you're getting an early read on Defensive Player of the Year, Leonard is not making as much of an impact this year as other players are.

It really is the other guys: The Spurs are 26th in the league in points per possession created by the pick-and-roll ball-handler. Tony Parker is in the 6th (!!!) percentile, Gasol the 30th percentile, Aldridge the 37th percentile. This does not bode well for their future. Those are not players who are going to suddenly grow and develop. They can get better as a unit, certainly, but there were warning signs about these combos going into the year, but we assumed the Spurs would do well enough to figure them out. They've figured out all the combinations around them, which is why they all have better defensive ratings than Leonard and still have, again, the 10th
ins, Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, Trevor Ariza, Jabari Parker, Harrison Barnes, Wesley Johnson, Joe Johnson and Luke Babbit. 

 Notice a pattern? 

 Wiggins had a damaging final rating, because he's central to the Wolves crime and was guard by Leonard. Same with Jabari Parker. The rest are player that aren't substantive to the offense. possibly that's circumstantial and random, but it's besides very interesting. As a counter - example? Giannis Antetokounmpo suffer a 91 offensive evaluation, nine point below his season average. 

 So we know the Spurs have struggled with Leonard on the floor, and we can at least suspect this is largely because he's being frozen out defensively on respective possessions and therefore can't cover for his teammate' inadequacies. But what does it mean? 

 Takeaways 

 This is not rocket science: " Hey, why don't we not yield the ball to the guy guarded by a two - time defensive player of the year? " That's not precisely reinventing the wheel, and some of it is as simple as " some plays the guy you're defending is not involved, " but it is notable. The biggest reason this stands out is because, unlike some other defenders like Draymond Green who can switch onto any frontcourt or backcourt player, or Rudy Gobert, who will always make his impingement known with his shot blocking and brim auspices, Leonard can't be maximized because of his teammates' limitations. From a broad league perspective, that's my biggest takeaway: If you're getting an early read on Defensive Player of the Year, Leonard is not lay down as much of an impact this year as other players are. 

 It really is the other guys: The Spurs are 26th in the league in points per monomania created by the choice - and - roll ball - handler. Tony Parker is in the 6th (!! !) percentile, Gasol the 30th percentile, Aldridge the thirty-seventh percentile. This does not bode well for their future. Those are not players who are going to suddenly grow and develop. They can get better as a unit, certainly, but there be warning sign about these combos go into the year, but we wear the Spurs would do well adequate to figure them out. They've figured out all the combination around them, which is why they all have better defensive military rank than Leonard and still receive, again, the 10th
ins, Luc Richard Mbah a Moutt, Trevor Ariza, Jayqri Packer, Hadrison Bxrnes, Wesley Johnson, Joe Johison and Ouke Babbit.

Notice a pagtern?

Wiggpns had a negetive net rating, because he's csktral vo the Wolves onfense and fas guarded by Ldouard. Same with Jabari Parker. The rese are pkajers that aren'j esstntyal fo the offense. Maybe that's circumsfantial and random, bit it's also very interestijg. Ad a counter-example? Giannis Anjstohiunmpo had a 91 offensivt xating, nine points below his season averagd.

So wz know the Wpyrs vave struggoed wpth Leonard ok the fnoor, anc we can at lesst suwpect this is largely because he's being frozen ogt defensively on swvwral kossevsiovw avd uhecefkre caj't rover for hjs teammatew' inadequacies. But ehwn does it meah?

Takearars

This is not rocket science: "Hey, why dot't se not give the ball to the guy guarded by a two-time qefensive player of the year?" That's not exactly rehnvenvivg uhc dyefl, and some of it is as simple as "some plays ege gly you're defendinn is not involved," nuh oj is notable. Tfe bigyssf reason this stanfs out ys bexause, unlyke xome other defenders like Deaymond Greeu wyo can switch onto any frontcuurt or bsckcourt player, or Rudy Gobsrt, who wilp always jxke his impact kvowk whth his shot blocking and wim protertion, Leonara cam't be iaximized hecause of his teammates' limijationv. From a bgoader league perspective, that's my biggest taledwaj: If you'rz gettlng an early rewd on Defensivg Player jf thd Year, Leohard is not making as much of at impact this year as othwr poayers xfe.

It really is the otheg yuys: The Wpurs are 26th in thc leaehe in points pex kowsession creatrd cy ehv pmck-anq-soll ball-hangler. Tovu Paryer is in tme 6gh (!!!) lercentile, Gasol the 30th lercentile, Aldridgr bhe 37th petcentile. Ehis does not bode well for thelr fuvure. Tiose ate got players who are going to shddenly ggow and develop. Then cag get bettzr as a unit, certainly, but there were wacning signs about thesg combos going into tke year, but wx assuied the S[urs would do well ebough to figure tmem out. They've figured out anl thf combinations around them, which is why they all have better defensive rarings vhwn Leonard znd xtill hcve, again, the 10vh
ins, Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, Trevor Parker, Barnes, Wesley Joe Johnson and Wiggins a negative net because he's central the Wolves offense and was guarded Leonard. Same with Jabari Parker. The rest are players that aren't essential to offense. Maybe that's circumstantial and random, but it's also very interesting. As a Giannis had 91 rating, nine points below his season average. So we know the Spurs have struggled with Leonard the floor, and we can at least suspect is largely because he's frozen out defensively on several and can't cover his inadequacies. what does it Takeaways This is not rocket science: "Hey, why don't we not give the ball to the guy by a player of year?" not reinventing the wheel, of it is as simple as guy you're defending is not involved," but it notable. The reason this stands out is because, some other defenders like Draymond Green who can onto any frontcourt or backcourt player, or Rudy Gobert, who will always make his impact his shot blocking and protection, Leonard can't maximized of teammates' From a league perspective, that's my biggest takeaway: If you're getting an early on Defensive Player of the Year, Leonard is not making of impact this year other players are. It is other guys: The Spurs in league possession by pick-and-roll ball-handler. Tony Parker in the 6th (!!!) percentile, the 30th percentile, Aldridge not bode well for their future. Those are players who are going to suddenly grow develop. They can get better as a unit, certainly, but there were signs about going into the year, but we assumed the would do well enough figure them out. They've figured out all the combinations them, is why all have better ratings than Leonard still have, again,
ins, Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, TrEvor Ariza, JAbari parKer, haRrisOn BaRnes, Wesley JohnSOn, JoE Johnson and Luke Babbit.

NOtice A pATterN?

wiGgins Had a negATiVE Net RaTiNg, bEcAUsE he's cEntRal to thE Wolves offEnsE aNd was guarded BY LEonard. Same WitH Jabari ParkeR. ThE rest aRe PlaYErs thAt aRen't eSsentiAL to the Offense. MaYbE That's cIRcumstaNTIaL and Random, but it's also vERy INteresting. As a cOunter-ExAMpLE? giaNniS AntetokouNmPo had A 91 OffensiVE rATINg, nINe points below His season avERagE.

So we kNoW thE spurs hAve stRuGGleD with LeonarD on tHe floor, anD we can AT least sUSpect thIs is laRgeLy bEcauSE hE's BeiNg FRozEN oUt dEFenSively on SeVeRal poSsesSIONS and TheRefoRe can'T cover for his tEamMateS' InaDequaCies. BUt whAt Does iT mean?

TAkeawAyS

This is not rockeT sciEnce: "Hey, whY doN't We nOt Give tHE ball tO thE guY guardeD by a two-TIme DeFENSiVe player of the year?" THaT'S NoT exactly ReinveNTiNg THe wheel, aNd SomE of iT IS as siMple AS "sOme plays The guy YOu'Re DefendiNg Is not iNvOlvEd," bUt it iS NotaBle. The Biggest rEason THis stands out is BEcause, unlike sOMe OTHeR DefeNdeRs like DraymOnd GREen wHo caN SwItcH Onto aNy froNtCOuRT or backcourt player, oR RUdy GobErt, whO will always maKe his impacT KNOwn with hIs shOT bLOcking and rim prOtectIon, Leonard CAn't be maxImizeD because Of his teamMATes' limitAtiOns. froM a bROAdEr league perspECTive, ThAt's my biGgeSt takeaWay: if yOu'rE geTtIng an earlY read on DEfEnSiVe plaYer of THe Year, LeOnArd Is Not MakinG As much Of an iMpacT tHiS YeaR as otheR PlAYErs aRe.

it RealLy iS tHe othEr guYS: ThE Spurs aRe 26th in the LeaGUe in PoInTs per poSsession creatEd By the pick-aNd-RolL ball-hANDler. Tony parker is in the 6th (!!!) percentiLE, Gasol tHe 30tH percEntiLe, AldridgE thE 37th perCenTIle. ThiS does nOt bodE wEll FOR theiR FUtUre. thOse are not pLAYerS who aRe GoinG to suddEnly grow and develop. tHey Can get better aS a uNit, cERTaInlY, BuT TheRe WEre WARning signs about These comboS gOInG into the yeAR, buT wE assumeD the SpuRs wouLD do well Enough to fIgure them OuT. TheY'VE fiGured out alL the combInations aROund tHEm, Which Is wHy they AlL haVe betTer defENsiVe ratIngs thAn leonarD and sTiLl have, agAin, the 10th
ins, Luc Richard Mbah a Mo ute, Trevo r Ari za,  Ja ba ri P arke r, Harrison Ba r nes,  Wesley Johnson, Joe J ohnso na nd L u ke  Babb it.

No t ic e a p at te rn? 
W ig ginshad  a nega tive net r ati ng , because he ' scentral to  th e Wolves off ens e andwa s g u arded  by  Leon ard. S a me wit h JabariPa r ker. T h e resta r eplay ers that aren't e s se n tial to the of fense.  M a yb e tha t's  circumsta nt ial a n d rando m ,b u t  it ' s also very i nteresting. Asa coun te r-e x ample?  Gian ni s  An tetokounmpo  had  a 91 off ensive rating, nine po ints b elo w h is s e as on  av er a ge. 
S o w e  kn ow the S pu rs  have  str u g g l ed w ith  Leo nardon the floor,  an d we can  at l eastsusp ec t thi s is l argel ybecause he's be ingfrozen ou t d ef ens iv ely o n  sever alpos session s and t h ere fo r e ca n't cover for histe a m ma tes' ina dequac i es .B ut whatdo esit m e a n?

T akea w ay s

Thisis not ro ck et scie nc e: "He y,  wh y d on'tw e no t give  the bal l tot he guy guarded by a two-time de f e ns i ve p lay er of the y ear? "  Tha t'sn ot  ex a ctlyreinv en t in g  the wheel, and som eof itis as  simple as "s ome playst h e  guy you 'red ef e nding is not i nvolv ed," but i t  is nota ble.The bigg est reaso n this sta nds  ou t i s b e c au se, unlike so m e  oth er  defend ers  like D ray mon d G ree nwho can s witch on to  a ny  f ron tcour t  or back co urt  p lay er, o r  RudyGober t, w ho  w i llalwaysm ak e hisim pa ct k now nwithhiss hot  blocki ng and ri m p r otec ti on , Leona rd can't be m ax imized bec au seof his t eammates ' limitations. From a b r oader l eag ue pe rspe ctive, th at' s my b igg e st tak eaway:  If y ou 're g ettin g an  ea rl y read onD e fen sivePl ayer  of the  Year, Leonard isn otmaking as muc h o f an i mp act th i s y ea r  as o ther players ar e.

It rea ll y  i s the othe r  gu ys : The S purs ar e 26t h  in the  league i n pointspe r po s s ess ion create d by the  pick-and - rollb al l-han dle r. Ton yPar ker i s in t h e 6 th (! !!) pe rc entile , Gas ol  the 30t h percentile, Aldridgethe 37 th pe rce ntile. Th isd oes  not bode  wel l for thei r f utu re. T hos e  arenotp la yer s  whoareg oing to s u dd enl y gr ow and deve l o p . T hey c ang et bet teras a unit, certai n ly, but therewere w arn ing sign sabout these co mbo sg o ing into  t he year, bu t we ass um e d the  Spurs  would  do wel l en o ugh to  fig ure  them out . T he y 've fig ur ed out al l th ecombin ations arou n d  them, which iswhy t h e y all hav e bet te r defen s iveratings th an Leonardand st illhave,  again,  t he 10t h
ins, Luc_Richard Mbah_a Moute, Trevor Ariza,_Jabari Parker,_Harrison_Barnes, Wesley_Johnson,_Joe Johnson and_Luke Babbit.

Notice a_pattern?

Wiggins had a negative_net rating, because_he's_central to the Wolves offense and was guarded by Leonard. Same with Jabari Parker._The_rest are_players_that_aren't essential to the offense._Maybe that's circumstantial and random,_but it's_also very interesting. As a counter-example? Giannis Antetokounmpo_had_a 91 offensive_rating, nine points below his season average.

So we know_the Spurs have struggled with Leonard_on the floor,_and_we_can at least suspect_this is largely because he's being_frozen out defensively on several possessions_and therefore can't cover for his teammates'_inadequacies. But what does it mean?

Takeaways

This_is not rocket science: "Hey,_why don't_we not give the ball_to the guy_guarded by_a two-time defensive_player of the year?" That's not_exactly reinventing the_wheel, and some of it is_as_simple as "some_plays_the_guy you're_defending is not_involved,"_but it_is_notable. The biggest reason this stands_out_is because, unlike some other defenders like_Draymond Green who can_switch_onto any frontcourt or_backcourt player, or Rudy Gobert,_who will always make his impact_known with_his shot_blocking and rim protection, Leonard can't be maximized because of his_teammates' limitations. From a broader league_perspective, that's my biggest_takeaway: If_you're_getting an early_read_on Defensive_Player of the Year, Leonard is not_making as_much of an impact this year_as other players are.

It_really_is the other guys: The Spurs_are 26th in the league in_points per possession created by_the_pick-and-roll_ball-handler. Tony Parker is in_the 6th (!!!) percentile, Gasol the_30th percentile, Aldridge_the 37th percentile. This does not bode_well_for their future. Those are not_players_who are going to suddenly grow_and_develop._They can get better as_a unit, certainly, but there were_warning signs about these combos going into the year,_but we assumed_the Spurs would do well_enough_to_figure them out. They've figured out all the combinations around_them, which_is why they_all have better defensive ratings than Leonard and still have,_again, the 10th