It has been a tough season for the Spurs to date. After a very good begin, the staff has discovered itself on a 12-game dropping streak, and a few of these defeats have been one-sided. It’s arduous to be ok with how issues have gone these days for the Silver and Black.
There have been some vibrant spots, although. It may need been simple to overlook them, however they’ve been there. So now that there’s time to undergo them throughout this break within the schedule, let’s check out what has truly gone nicely.
Victor Wembanyama is the true deal
Most individuals knew that Wemby’s hype was deserved, however there have been some issues about how rapidly he would alter to the NBA recreation, as there are with each rookie. It didn’t take lengthy for him to quash these worries.
Wembanyama is averaging over 19 factors, 9 rebounds, two assists, a steal and two blocks. He seems to be like an absolute power on protection regardless of nonetheless making the kind of errors you’d anticipate from a 19-year-old and he has moments when his offense clicks and he seems to be like a surefire future celebrity. The Spurs have the worst file within the league however they’re higher when he’s on the ground and it’s abundantly clear that Gregg Popovich remains to be experimenting in hopes of discovering the optimum means to make use of him. Wemby is sweet now, however he’ll solely get higher.
All eyes had been on Victor to start out the season and, regardless of some inconsistency, he hasn’t upset. It took Wembanyama lower than 20 video games to show that it’s not a query of if however when he’ll in truth be the franchise participant most individuals thought he could possibly be earlier than the draft.
The latest extensions are wanting like good investments
After locking Keldon Johnson down on a team-friendly deal final summer time, the entrance workplace secured the long run companies of Tre Jones, Zach Collins and Devin Vassell this previous offseason. To date all of the offers look good.
After his first contract expired, Jones signed for 2 years and just below $20 million. There are 35 different level guards making greater than him and quite a lot of the viable ones incomes much less are on rookie offers. Jones has his points, particularly with exterior capturing on offense and a scarcity of dimension on protection, however he’s proven that he’s a dedicated defender and a gentle flooring normal who can push the tempo and put strain on the protection together with his drives within the half courtroom. Paying $10 million a yr for a top quality backup who can begin if wanted and is younger sufficient to proceed to get higher is a cut price.
Jones wasn’t the one function participant to get an extension. Zach Collins inked a brand new deal that can hold him with the Spurs for 2 extra years after this one, making round $17 million a yr. Not like Jones, he’s getting paid like a starter, however the excellent news is that he’s producing like one. Collins is requested to do rather a lot on offense — arguably an excessive amount of — however he’s as much as the problem, averaging 14 factors and 4 assists per recreation whereas continuously setting screens. He’ll all the time be a restricted defensive participant, however he’s robust and he tries. The one cause his contract is simply cheap and never nice is as a result of his three-point capturing has been poor, but when he can get to league common from exterior, his impression will far exceed his wage.
Probably the most controversial of the extensions was Devin Vassell’s merely due to how excessive his contract seems to be with out context. Accounting for incentives, the capturing guard may make a whopping $146 million over the subsequent 5 years after this season is completed, which solely is sensible for a high-quality starter. It’s early within the season however Vassell has met that criterium. He’s averaging 18 factors on virtually 50 % from the sector and 42 % from past the arc whereas nonetheless displaying untapped potential on protection. He appears able to make the leap. The one query with Vassell is his well being, as he has missed time with harm already, but when he can keep on the ground, he may finish this season as probably the greatest at his place and a chunk San Antonio can construct round.
Cedi Osman is a enjoyable, nice shock
Osman landed with the Spurs as a part of a three-team commerce through which the Cavaliers wage dumped him. On the time it was unclear if the veteran was going to remain in San Antonio or if he was going to be waived. Nearly 1 / 4 of the season in, he’s discovered a spot within the rotation and has been each productive and intensely simple to root for.
The Spurs convey Osman as one of many first gamers off the bench and he has been repaying their confidence by beginning the season on fireplace from past the arc. The veteran ahead is having a profession yr from exterior, connecting on 41 % of the various threes he has tried and by no means hesitating to drag the set off. He’s been a chilled presence at occasions due to his expertise and is sweet for a wild, enjoyable drive each couple of video games. He runs the ground nicely, he brings effort on protection and he genuinely appears joyful to be in San Antonio, even when issues aren’t going nicely.
The numbers say the Spurs have been an absolute catastrophe with Osman on the courtroom and we’re speaking a few flawed tweener ahead right here, so there won’t be a long-term relationship between the franchise and Cedi. There doesn’t should be one. To date, he’s made video games extra enjoyable to observe and that’s sufficient.
