The schedule is out. What’s your prediction for the Spurs’ report after the primary 10 video games?
Marilyn Dubinski: I are usually an optimist, and perhaps the Spurs shock early like they did final 12 months with their 5-2 begin, however not understanding what this crew or a number of others in that a part of the schedule will seem like makes this tough to reply. I’m going to go together with 4-6, with predicted wins coming towards the both the Mavs or Rockets to start out, then the Raptors, Pacers and Timberwolves, but it surely might go any manner in any of those video games.
Mark Barrington: The primary a part of the season seems like a assassin’s row of competent veteran groups, and the younger and inexperienced Spurs received’t be prepared. Perhaps they go 3-7, with doable wins over the Rockets, Knicks and Timberwolves.
Jesus Gomez: I can see the Spurs hitting their stride sooner or later within the season after they discover the fitting lineups and rotations, however I really feel like the beginning might be tough. Trying on the opponents, it looks like a 2-8 begin appears very doable, with the wins coming towards the Rockets and the Raptors at residence. That appears acceptable. Something extra could be a pleasant bonus.
J.R. Wilco: Presently final 12 months, Gomez requested the identical query and I guessed that San Antonio would win about 25% of their video games for the season — which works out to twenty.5 video games. So I’m fairly happy with my prognostication expertise in the intervening time. In different phrases, I’m feeling fortunate. With that luck I’ll say I count on them to get a minimum of 30 video games this 12 months, which is greater than a 10-point leap of their successful share; as much as 36.6%. Over 10 video games that’d be both 3-7 or 4-6. Given the powerful schedule, I’d be proud of both of these begins.
What’s the first must-watch Wembanyama matchup of the season?
Dubinski: Moreover the season-opener? This is likely to be extra on a private degree, however I’m prepared for Wemby vs. the Rockets in sport 2. Their followers have been so horrible in direction of him because the Spurs received the lottery, and Jabari Smith’s massive Summer season League solely added to their ridiculous narrative that Wemby shall be a bust, so I’m able to hush them up early. After that, vs. Chet Holmgren and the Thunder on TNT in sport 11 shall be an early look a the Rookie of the Yr race.
Barrington: It’ll be fascinating to see how he matches up towards the dual towers lineup of KAT and Gobert within the first in-season match sport on November 10. I don’t know the way Gobert will deal with a participant that’s each longer and extra cell than him, and the way KAT will cope with a defender that may sustain with him on the perimeter and received’t give him room to function.
Gomez: Assuming Zion Williamson is wholesome, the Dec. 1 sport towards the Pelicans shall be a must-watch. Will Wembanyama’s size be sufficient to counter Zion’s power and athleticism? Whether it is, Victor will put to relaxation a number of the issues about how a lot of a problem his skinny physique truly is, but when he struggles, the critics can have a discipline day. We’ll get a preview of how that matchup might go when the Spurs face the Knicks and Julius Randle on Nov. 8, however Zion will present the true check.
Wilco: I’m going with the Halloween matchup in sport 4 towards Phoenix and Kevin Durant. Now there’s no expectation {that a} rookie goes to offer KD bother, so any play that Wemby wins towards him goes to be seen as a sneak peek into the longer term. Additionally, there’s a right away rematch two days later so we will see how briskly VW learns if he’s in a position to do higher towards Kevin within the very subsequent sport.
Should you might get front-row tickets to anybody sport subsequent season, which one would you choose?
Dubinski: I’ve by no means sat entrance row, nor have I ever desired to. In actual fact, I’ve all the time been one who’s simply as completely happy watching from my sofa as being on the sport in particular person. With that in thoughts, the purpose of sitting entrance row for me could be to soak up the second, so I might go together with the season opener towards Dallas. Wemby’s debut ought to have an aura about it that shall be exhausting to match the remainder of the season, to not point out it must be a great sport. (Though when/if the Spurs return to the finals and are taking part in a possible championship-winner at residence, anybody with front-row tickets can be at liberty to ship them to me. I’d be throughout that.)
Barrington: Even higher than the entrance row space seats are those simply behind the place the crew sits, the place you possibly can watch and even hear among the interplay between coaches and gamers. You’ll be able to be taught a lot about basketball simply by observing what the coaches inform to the gamers. I had the privilege of doing that in Summer season League a number of occasions, and that needs to be the perfect seats in the home. I feel I’d choose the Minnesota Timberwolves sport once more, as a result of I feel that they current a singular problem that might present an fascinating alternative for some unconventional methods. However apart from that, I’d most likely choose a Lakers sport, as a result of I’ve by no means seen Lebron play stay, and I’d prefer to have an opportunity to see him shut up whereas he’s nonetheless a dominant participant. And Austin Reaves is fairly good, too.
Gomez: I’d take some front-row tickets for the Nov. 14 sport towards the Thunder. It’s tempting to select a sport that includes among the all-time greats who’re on the tail finish of their profession, however the sport towards OKC might be a preview of some epic battles between the 2 groups, assuming all of the younger items progress as anticipated. If Wembanyama and Holgrem pan out, the Spurs and the Thunder might be two of the dominant forces within the West for a decade quickly and it might be enjoyable to be there earlier than each matchup is pressure-filled.
Wilco: How about both 11/20 or 11/22 when the Clippers come to city and supply a possibility to see Wemby block one in every of Kawhi’s threes?
