Spurs NBA 2K24 simulation: A disappointing begin

In mid-September it may really feel just like the NBA season is years away, regardless of opening evening being proper across the nook. Offseason burnout is at an all-time excessive, and Spurs followers want a treatment. There are such a lot of burning questions in regards to the crew subsequent 12 months that urgently want answered.

I’m itching for basketball motion, too. Which is why I downloaded the most recent NBA 2K sport to run your 2023-24 San Antonio Spurs via a full season simulation to see how they fare. On this sequence, we shall be breaking down the NBA season into 20-game segments, monitoring how the Spurs do over the course of the simulation.

To make this as “correct” as potential, I’m not interfering in any video games. I shall be really simulating all the things. I received’t be signing free brokers, accepting or proposing trades, or making any roster modifications. I’ll solely intervene when an damage occurs and the rotation must be adjusted. I’ve left the simulation settings on default, which means we shall be getting the video games true tackle how subsequent 12 months will go for the Silver and Black.

With out additional ado, right here is how the primary 20 video games went for the Spurs within the NBA 2K24 simulation.

Setting the rotation

The very first thing I seen when booting up the simulation is that the sport has Victor Wembanyama beginning at middle, with Tre Jones, Devin Vassell, Keldon Johnson and Jeremy Sochan filling out the remainder of the primary 5. As many Spurs followers are conscious of, Wembanyama is slated to start out on the ahead place, and be flanked by Zach Collins because the beginning middle.

The primary change I made was to maneuver Jeremy Sochan to the bench, and add Collins to the beginning lineup. I went forwards and backwards on whether or not or not I ought to transfer Sochan to small ahead, and transfer Johnson to the bench, however finally determined to sit down Sochan as a result of Johnson has the second highest general score on the crew (and it is a simulation primarily based on rankings in any case.)

You possibly can see the complete rotation beneath:

I didn’t alter something in addition to swapping Collins and Sochan. I stored all different minutes and rotations the identical to maintain it correct to the video games settings. One factor I seen is that the sport routinely minimize two gamers to get the roster to fifteen gamers. I actually didn’t have a selection on who received minimize… so don’t get mad at me. The sport minimize Khem Birch and… Julian Champagnie. This could clearly not be my selection, and I’d be shocked if that is what truly occurs, however I need to hold my palms off of this simulation as a lot as potential.

Preseason expectations and outcomes

In line with the NBA2K energy rankings, the Spurs are anticipated to be the fourteenth finest crew within the NBA. That’s attention-grabbing as a result of the crew doesn’t have many excessive overalls, and was one of many worst groups within the league final 12 months. Expectations have been excessive going into the primary sport with the Dallas Mavericks.

A gap evening win over an in-state rival is the perfect begin to the Wembanyama period. The Spurs barely pulled out a 122-121 win in San Antonio. Sochan had an unbelievable sport off the bench, placing up 21 factors, 7 rebounds, 5 assists and a couple of blocks in simply 21 minutes of play. Zach Collins was a beast on the boards, practically having himself a 20-20 sport whereas grabbing six offensive rebounds. Wemby struggled to attain within the opener, placing up 12 and 9 on 3-13 capturing.

I’m glad we received the euphoria out of the best way early, as a result of the remainder of the simulation was not sort to the Spurs.

After successful their opener, San Antonio dropped their subsequent 13 video games. These weren’t simply shut losses. Plenty of them have been blowouts. There was an 125-77 loss to the Clippers, 123-85 in opposition to the Suns, 135-98 in opposition to the Pacers and 125-88 in opposition to the Thunder. Over the course of the 13 sport skid, the Spurs have been outscored by a complete of 298 factors.

Reprieve got here within the type of a 112-105 revenge win over the Clippers, on the again of Vassell and Johnson, who each dropped 22 within the residence victory. After dropping the following three video games to the Warriors, Nuggets and Hawks, the Sliver and Black ended the primary 20 video games on a two sport successful streak, defeating the Pelicans and Jazz.

After the primary 20 video games, the Spurs discover themselves with the worst document within the NBA at 4-16. Fortunately for them, there may be numerous season left, the they’re simply 5 video games out of a play-in spot. The Dallas Mavericks are additionally struggling, going 6-14. Considerably of a shock, the Charlotte Hornets are Sep 11 and in rivalry for a play-in spot, which bodes properly for the Spurs draft property subsequent offseason.

Key stats and performances

How might this crew be struggling much more regardless of their offseason additions? To begin with, their acquisitions haven’t been taking part in very properly.

Wembanyama has struggled to regulate to the NBA sport, as he’s averaging 11.3 factors, 9.3 rebounds and a couple of.1 blocks a sport. He’s capturing an abysmal 32.5% from the sector and 23.8% from three. NBA2K’s “rookie report” has him ranked 4th in impression made by rookies, behind Brandon Miler, Scoot Henderson and Chet Holmgren. In a restricted function, Reggie Bullock has had a minimal impression. He’s capturing 42% from three, however is barely taking two makes an attempt per sport.

San Antonio presently has the worst offense within the sim. They’re averaging simply 102.6 factors a sport (thirtieth within the league,) capturing 40.5% from the sector (thirtieth once more) and capturing 31.8% from three (twenty ninth within the league.) They aren’t taking good care of the ball both, because the crew is twenty eighth within the league in assists and 2nd in turnovers per sport.

Defensively issues are literally bettering for the Silver and Black. They’re giving up 116.3 factors a sport, adequate for the 18th finest protection within the NBA. Nonetheless they’re permitting opposing groups to shoot 49% from the sector (twenty sixth within the NBA) and 36.6% from three (18th within the league.) They’re 14th within the league in rebounding and tenth in blocks, which reveals the paint protection has improved.

KJ is as soon as once more main the Spurs in scoring, averaging 19 factors on 43.1% capturing from the sector and 31.3% capturing from three. Vassell is averaging 16.2 factors, 4.2 rebounds, 4.2 assists and practically 2 steals a sport, however has been largely inefficient, capturing 37.2% from the sector and 32.9% from three.

Collins is constant his sturdy play from final season. He’s averaging 11.8 factors and eight.4 rebounds a sport whereas capturing 44.8% from the sector and 40% from three. He and Wembanyama appear to be making a formidable duo within the paint.

Thus far, Johnson had the very best scoring sport within the simulation, with 34 factors in a 123-115 loss to the Phoenix Suns. Wembanyama’s most spectacular sport got here in a 115-114 win over the New Orleans Pelicans, the place he put up 20 factors, 17 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 blocks and a steal. That efficiency might be the Spurs better of the season.

Random musings and a glance ahead

Primarily based on the outcomes of the primary 20-games, I’m not completely offered on the accuracy of NBA 2K24’s simulation. Vassell capturing underneath 33% from deep appears practically not possible. Wembanyama struggling this a lot for a participant that supposedly “breaks the sport” additionally doesn’t make numerous sense.
Among the blowout losses really feel like overkill. A virtually 50-point loss to the Clippers of their third sport doesn’t really feel like an actual NBA rating, however then once more… it is a online game.
Regardless of having a fairly horrific begin to the 12 months, the “fan curiosity” continues to be at 80%. Thanks for sticking round, Spurs followers!
Opposing guards are torching the Spurs. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 44, Devin Booker had two 30-point video games and Ja Morant scored 39 factors (he shouldn’t even be taking part in!) in opposition to San Antonio.
I really feel the sturdy urge to regulate the rotation primarily based on efficiency. Please let me know within the feedback when you suppose that might make this a extra correct sim.

Some reduction could possibly be coming within the subsequent 20 video games, the place the schedule will get a bit simpler. I’m taking a look at video games in opposition to the Bulls, Mavericks, Jazz, TrailBlazers, Pistons and Hornets as potential wins. Tune into the following a part of this sequence to see how the Spurs fare via December.