The Sixer Sense
Fansided

Is Rim Protector Nerlens Noel A Starter For A Championship Team?

By Bret Stuter

Apr 10, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Nerlens Noel (4) dunks during the third quarter of the game against the Milwaukee Bucks at the Wells Fargo Center. The Milwaukee Bucks won 109-108 in OT. Mandatory Credit: John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 10, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Nerlens Noel (4) dunks during the third quarter of the game against the Milwaukee Bucks at the Wells Fargo Center. The Milwaukee Bucks won 109-108 in OT. Mandatory Credit: John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 8, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; San Antonio Spurs center Tim Duncan (21) reacts after a call in the fourth quarter against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center. The Nuggets defeated the Spurs 102-98. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 8, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; San Antonio Spurs center Tim Duncan (21) reacts after a call in the fourth quarter against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center. The Nuggets defeated the Spurs 102-98. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /

Spurs

Fundamentally sound, the San Antonio Spurs are the case study for virtually any basketball related topic.  The longevity of their success has everything to do with their head coach, Gregg Popovich.

In the 2013-2014 season, San Antonio was 62-20 and was a powerhouse.  And yet, in that season, the Spurs generated 5.1 blocks per game, while holding the opposition to just 4.6 blocks per game.

The team was led by center Tim Duncan, who averaged 1.88 blocks per game on 29.2 minutes.  But he was not alone.  The Spurs team had a presence in blocking shots that season, generating 5.12 blocks per game. That was good enough for eighth in the NBA

In post-season that year, it was once more Duncan leading the team with 1.26 blocks per game, but the team as a whole fell to 3.48 blocks per game. However, it was Duncan’s play on offense that was an integral piece to the Spurs success.

Next: Warriors