Earlier than the sport, I used to be speaking to a good friend, and he requested me how I believed the Spurs would do that yr. I performed it cool. “They’ll most likely scuffle out of the gates and take a while to seek out their footing earlier than actually approaching sturdy within the second half. It’s going to look lots like final yr.”
I placed on the air of the seasoned basketball watcher I wish to faux to be: rational, good, and only a contact of cynicism to maintain it spicy. The form of individual whose opinion you’d respect. Nonetheless, in my coronary heart of hearts, I knew this take was a lie. I didn’t consider it in any respect. I had this sneaking suspicion that they had been going to return out of the gate on fireplace, blow away the Mavericks, and put to mattress any notion that this season could be something however an unqualified return to the higher echelons of the Western Convention playoff hierarchy. Primarily based on no proof by any means, I used to be ready for the Spurs to be a totally armed and operational battle station.
Proper. So. Now that I’ve had just a few hours to mirror after the chilly wake-up name we skilled Thursday evening, I suppose it’s most likely time to regulate expectations to align extra intently with the details. This workforce continues to be fairly younger, they’re nonetheless attending to know one another, and the remainder of the NBA continues to be superb. That’s a reasonably potent recipe for trying like an unfinished product on opening evening, and boy, did the Spurs positive look the half in that respect. They had been decisively put of their place by an excellent Mavericks workforce, and Luka Dončić confirmed Victor Wembanyama that, regardless of all of the hype round his speedy ascent into the NBA stratosphere, he nonetheless has some work to do.
I don’t know what’s mistaken with me, truthfully. I do know higher than to get my hopes up like this, and nonetheless, I spent all summer season devouring each piece of content material I might in regards to the Spurs and getting revved up right into a frenzy. Stephon Citadel was going to gentle the league on fireplace. Devin Vassell was going to take a leap. Jeremy Sochan was going to cease being some extent guard. Chris Paul was going to be 28 years outdated once more. Within the absence of precise basketball being performed, I spun up all types of fantastical notions about what we had been about to expertise within the upcoming season, and for some motive, I simply gave in and believed it.
I say “for some motive,” however the reason being really very apparent and really tall: Victor Wembanyama is a miracle. It’s a miracle that he exists, that he can do the issues he does on a basketball court docket, and, most significantly, that he’s even a member of the San Antonio Spurs within the first place. Always remember that. We live in a timeline blessed by a cadre of basketball gods who’ve smiled upon us for some motive past our comprehension.
This fantastical existence is bizarre, although. It makes you assume something may be attainable. I didn’t see any proof of it over the summer season, however why couldn’t Victor skip just a few developmental steps and simply turn into the perfect participant within the league in yr two? Nothing has stopped him earlier than. Perhaps he’ll shoot threes like Steph and throw down dunks like Ant. Perhaps he’ll pour in buckets like Luka and throw passes like Jokic. Shoot, perhaps he’ll take over level guard duties from Chris Paul by Christmas. Perhaps Pop will retire, and Vic will slot in as player-coach! When you’re residing in dreamland, there’s no restrict to what you (assume you) can obtain.
However yeah, again to the true world. We’re enjoying actual video games now with actual penalties. Our big unicorn boy is taking pictures 1-8 from three and getting stripped left and proper by an infuriating variety of Mavericks. Our Chris Paul acquisition is enjoyable but in addition 39 years outdated. Jeremy Sochan didn’t flip into Draymond Inexperienced in a single day. Devin Vassell continues to be damage. These are the details, and they’re indeniable. There may be work to be achieved.
Victor Wembanyama’s very existence may be a miracle, however there’s no magic wand we get to wave to show this pumpkin right into a carriage. They should get within the lab and maintain working. They should shake off the rust. They should develop. These first couple of video games, weeks, and perhaps even months are going to really feel like pulling enamel for these of us who perhaps, by chance and adorably, set our expectations a smidge too excessive.
However that’s okay. The blokes in that locker room know who they’re and perceive the work that must be achieved. They’re, in any case, those who’re doing it. We simply get to take a seat again and watch the miracles roll in at their very own tempo. My unique prediction was most likely the proper one: they’ll possible scuffle out of the gates and take a while to seek out their footing earlier than actually approaching sturdy within the second half. It’s going to look lots like final yr… however higher.
Takeaways
Regardless of the consequence, it was enjoyable to get again within the ring and watch precise NBA basketball once more. This has felt like one of many longest offseasons I can bear in mind. I feel I most likely regarded up the opening evening date as soon as every week over the summer season, and each time, it appeared to get even additional away.
I do know we noticed it within the preseason and no matter, however holy hell, was it bizarre to see Chris Paul in a Spurs jersey throughout an actual, stay NBA recreation. Inside the first minute, he received the ball and charged immediately into the chest of a defender, flying to the bottom and drawing a foul. I instinctively leapt off my sofa to complain earlier than remembering that he’s utilizing this type of evil for good now. That’s actually going to take some adjustment. Go, Chris! That man manhandled you! Solution to, uh, soak up the contact!
Stephon Citadel is clearly not a completed undertaking and possibly gained’t stroll in and be an enormous difference-maker from day one. However! I actually loved watching him on the market. He didn’t look scared to be within the combine, and he didn’t look misplaced on an NBA court docket. He’s robust and bodily, and he’s nonetheless doing all of the enjoyable little jumps and weaves into the lane that he showcased at UConn final yr. At one level, he executed a enjoyable, athletic floater, and I used to be like, “Oh! I acknowledge that from YouTube compilations I watched!” As you’ll be able to think about, I used to be very devoted to “grinding tape” this summer season within the lead-up to the draft. Anyway, Stephon Citadel—enjoyable decide! Enthusiastic about it!
I’m hoping it was largely rust, however I swear if we now have to look at one other season of this workforce turning the ball over 20 occasions a recreation, I’m going to stroll into the ocean and stare pensively out on the horizon for an indeterminate period of time. Don’t check me, Spurs! I’m about to be so pensive, and also you’re not going to love it.
WWL Submit Sport Press Convention
– How was the summer season?
– Nicely, um, I dunno. I don’t assume I’ve processed it but.
– You haven’t processed it but?
– Yeah, I imply, it simply occurred! How am I imagined to know the way it was? I haven’t gone in and studied the ins and outs of my numerous comings and goings. I haven’t painted my feelings from that journey I took in August but. I haven’t journaled about that sandwich I ate in July. I haven’t even come near placing my emotions in regards to the climate in June to tune. So, yeah. I imply, how was my summer season? I couldn’t even start to let you know.
– Some folks would simply say “good.”
– Some folks have the emotional bandwidth of a snail.
