Zach Lowe:
I come prostrate before the altar of Pop. Six weeks ago, I chastised San Antonio's shot selection. I did not think it was possible to construct an elite offense while ranking dead last in shots at the rim and 3s -- and 20th or worse in both free throw and offensive rebounding rates. In my defense, it should not be.
But it be. It very much be. The Spurs are up to fifth in points per possession after a scorching 14-4 run that culminated in Thursday's 154-point avalanche against the Thunder. Their shot selection in that stretch has barely budged. They are just making everything, moving the ball without turning it over, and flying around on defense. It has been wonderful to watch. Again, I'm sorry, Pop. (I still think their offense will slip back over the coming road-heavy stretch, but I know better now than to predict a huge drop-off. The Spurs are solid.)
The happiest revelation: Derrick White. It is a fun sensation watching someone over extended minutes for the first time, and understanding immediately, "OK, this dude knows how to play."
White just feels the game. He is a cat burglar sidling into open spaces when the defense is focused on DeMar DeRozan or LaMarcus Aldridge. He has already mastered the Manu Ginobili thing of running into the catch.(Hvala Manu!
To tacno jeste od njega "pokupio".)This is going to sound weird, but White reads feet well. He notices early when a help defender's momentum is skittering too fast toward midcourt, and blows by that victim without pausing.
White has a soft midrange game. He's a semi-respectable 20-of-60 on 3s. He's a sneaky dunker. He's a crafty passer out of the pick-and-roll, and has happily taken the responsibility of defending the most dangerous opposing scorer so Popovich can hide DeRozan and Bryn Forbes.
I can't wait to see the Dejounte Murray-White backcourt.
