Practically anybody who follows basketball expects the San Antonio Spurs will likely be higher than final 12 months. It’s onerous to worsen after a 22-60 end in 2023-24. There are professional causes for optimism, although. Victor Wembanyama is coming off a dominant rookie season and enters this 12 months as a top-20 (conservative) participant. The veteran additions of Chris Paul and Harrison Barnes is not going to solely assist the Spurs on the courtroom however educate the youthful gamers methods to win off of it.
Narratively, it’s not onerous to examine an improved San Antonio squad. Simply how are they going to enhance? What areas of the sport will they make strides in? Final season the Spurs had been twenty sixth within the league in offensive score and twenty second in defensive score. There are loads of areas they should enhance in the event that they hope to compete for a play-in spot like many count on them to. The next areas are the place the Spurs could make the leap subsequent 12 months.
Three-point capturing
San Antonio was twenty eighth within the NBA in three-point capturing final season. They’ve struggled to hit photographs from deep for 2 straight seasons now. It damage their offense effectivity and hindered their finest participant from being as deadly as he might be. Spurs GM, Brian Wright, acknowledged this and purchased some capturing this offseason. Each Paul and Barnes shot over 37% from deep final season. Inserting them into the beginning lineup alongside Devin Vassell ought to open the ground up for Wembanyama.
The additions ought to virtually definitely assist the Spurs three-point capturing. One other issue is a constructive regression to the imply for some gamers who slumped final season. Zach Collins shot 37.4% from three within the 2022-23 season, then hit simply 32% of his deep photographs final season. Can Keldon Johnson get near the 39.8% three-point capturing season he had in 2021-22? Tre Jones shot 42.1% from deep after the All-Star break. If that leap was actual, the Spurs ought to have two dependable capturing level guards.
San Antonio nonetheless has loads of “non-shooters.” Jeremy Sochan and Stephon Fortress must show they’ll hit photographs at a semi-consistent charge. Even Wembanyama has strides to make as a three-point shooter. The Spurs are already in a greater spot than final 12 months with their capturing personnel, and some issues may swing of their favor to make the leap even larger.
Turnovers
Including the “level god” does wonders for the group of an offense. Final season the Spurs struggled mightily with turnovers, giving the ball away 15.1 occasions per sport. It wasn’t uncommon for San Antonio to show it over greater than 20 occasions in a sport. That ought to change with Paul on the helm.
Paul had a 6 to 1 assist-to-turnover ratio final season. He’s probably the greatest ground generals of all time. Even in his late 30s, Paul has continued to be a savant with the ball in his arms. He ought to have a big position because the lead initiator on this offense. Jones slotting into the backup level guard position ought to assist maintain the bench unit on monitor when Paul sits.
One main variable is the ball safety of Wembanyama. Final 12 months the rookie turned the ball over 3.7 occasions a sport. Possibly that was him determining methods to play on the NBA degree. Possibly his top and proclivity for aptitude as a ball-handler and passer will result in excessive turnovers. Both means, lowering the variety of turnovers out of your main scorer by one or two a sport would assist the Spurs’ offensive effectivity tremendously.
Perimeter protection
Wembanyama solves loads of issues defensively. Arguably probably the most impactful defender within the NBA, he successfully locks down the paint together with his shot-blocking prowess. On the perimeter, the Spurs left loads to be desired. Opponents hit 37.3% of their threes towards San Antonio final season. They usually misplaced cutters or died on screens, resulting in beauty for gamers on the perimeter.
This season they’ll have higher defensive personnel throughout the board. Paul is older however a wise defender with nice arms. Barnes brings a veteran presence however shouldn’t be relied on to defend one-on-one. Fortress was probably the greatest defensive prospects within the draft and will make a right away influence in his minutes. Mix that with the rising defensive talent of Julian Champagnie, Jones, Sochan and Vassell, and the Spurs ought to have stronger defenders round Wemby.
Shot high quality
With higher offensive gamers and extra veterans, come higher photographs. Followers shouldn’t count on CP3 to be the prime participant who dissected defenses nightly within the pick-and-roll. Nonetheless, he ought to assist put younger gamers in place to succeed. I’m actually excited to see Vassell and Sochan function off the ball with Paul working the offense. CP3-Wembanyama choose and rolls will likely be probably the most enjoyable actions within the NBA this 12 months.
The bench ought to function far more effectively, too. Jones and Champagnie are big additions to the second unit. Johnson has loads to show and is primed for a breakout season. I’m a agency believer that Collins may have a bounce-back 12 months after struggling in 2023-24. Fortress is an superior glue-guy to plug in wherever the offense wants him, and may put strain on the rim. The Spurs have extra offensive weapons and a extra balanced staff that ought to result in a extra environment friendly offense this season.
