The Spurs came into the season looking like a potentially great defensive team. Two months in, they have fallen out of the top 15 in defensive efficiency. Part of their struggles can be attributed to the many absences San Antonio has endured, but there’s more to the huge skid than that. Something is not working as intended.
There are many factors to consider, but arguably the biggest problem right now in the half court is pick-and-roll defense. Despite having two great perimeter defenders in Derrick White and Dejounte Murray and an elite defensive center in Jakob Poeltl, the Spurs have struggled to contain the two-man game.