Gregg Popovich has claimed that improving transition defense is a priority as the San Antonio Spurs prepare for the start of the new season.
With the opening of the campaign just a week away, Popovich has been forced to answer questions on how summer arrival LaMarcus Aldridge will fit into his offensive plans after leaving the Portland Trail Blazers in free agency.
However, the Spurs head coach believes that the loss to the Los Angeles Clippers is proof that their focus should be elsewhere.
"Transition D has still been a problem," Popovich told reporters. "Our transition D still looks like it did in game six and seven against the Clippers last [season] in the first round. Worst transition defense in the history of basketball in those two games.
"So it's been an emphasis to start this season because if we're gonna be one of the worst offensive-rebounding teams in the league, which we always are, we better be one of the best transition-defense teams. Usually we are. But we weren't last year in general, and it really showed in the last couple of games in the Clippers series."
Spurs start the season against the Oklahoma City Thunder next Wednesday.
Callum Mulvihill
