Coming into the 2024-25 season, there was a way of cautious optimism amongst Spurs followers. Nobody needed to leap the gun and count on an excessive amount of enchancment from the 2023-24 season, and it wouldn’t shock me if extra folks wager the underneath than over on Las Vegas’ projected win complete of 35.5 for the workforce previous to the season, however notable enchancment was nonetheless anticipated.
Quick ahead just a few months, and they’re kicking off the 2025 portion of the season having exceeded even Vegas’ expectations thus far with a 17-16 file (after being simply 5-28 at this identical level final season) and sitting within the thick of the playoff race regardless of being within the gauntlet that’s the Western Convention. A few of that may be attributed to the apparent, like avoiding 18-game shedding streaks, having a home-heavy schedule, and no experimentation, however there’s extra to it than the workforce merely being a 12 months older and wiser, so let’s a check out just a few of the primary the explanation why the Spurs are exceeding expectations thus far.
Incoming veterans have exceeded expectations
Nobody was actually positive what the Spurs would do within the offseason, however most likely assumed they might both run it again or make upgrades to the fringes of the roster. In consequence, it was considerably shocking once they introduced in two completed veterans who would positively be within the rotation: Chris Paul (through free company) and Harrison Barnes (through commerce). However even then, there have been some doubts as to how a lot they might truly raise the Spurs up. Afterall, Paul is 39 years outdated and principally wallowed on the Warriors’ bench final season, and Kings followers would have you ever consider Barnes’ lack of ability to play protection greater than offset any positives he introduced on offense.
Because it seems, each have helped greater than anybody anticipated. The CP3 Impact — a.ok.a. Paul’s capability to return in and assist increase his new workforce’s file — is in full swing as he offers management each on and off the court docket whereas bringing a steadying presence who doesn’t flip the ball over, directs gamers to the proper spot, and at all times makes the proper play (effectively, nearly). He has additionally discovered the proper steadiness between when to facilitate and when to aggressively search for his personal shot, and he has been a very good mentor to the Spurs’ presumed level guard-of-the-future in rookie Stephon Fort.
As for Barnes, he has additionally been precisely the veteran presence the Spurs wanted, offering a lot wanted exterior taking pictures, self-discipline, and a relaxing demeanor on the ground. He additionally hasn’t been the defensive sieve we had been instructed he was (that was probably extra a results of the Kings’ roster flaws than something). The Spurs didn’t make any massive, splashy strikes within the offseason, however they might have quietly made among the finest ones, and it’s paying off with out costing them something sooner or later.
Jeremy Sochan’s third-year leap
It’s secure to say that Sochan didn’t have a perfect sophomore season. He was unfairly blamed for the failed “level guard experiment” earlier than Gregg Popovich lastly went to Tre Jones round this time final season, and it appeared to shake his confidence the remainder of the best way. This season has been totally different. He has returned to his pure place at ahead (though for some motive, the NBA nonetheless has him listed as a guard in All-Star voting), and he appears to be like far more comfy and assured.
He’s averaging career-highs in factors, discipline purpose share and rebounds, and whereas final season confirmed he isn’t a pure level guard, the expertise he gained from it has improved his deal with, court docket consciousness and passing (which was probably the purpose all alongside). He has additionally benefited from Victor Wembanyama taking pictures extra threes (extra on that beneath), making them extra appropriate collectively for the reason that driving lanes at the moment are open for Sochan to chop and obtain the ball down low, the place he’s an environment friendly scorer. And naturally, he stays one of many league’s premiere defenders. This has been a lot nearer to the Sochan we hoped to see final season, now he simply must maintain engaged on that three-point shot.
Victor Wembanyama is changing into a scorer
Everybody anticipated Wemby to enhance in his second season, however maybe nobody anticipated this kind of leap. Whereas it’s zero shock that he has added extra dimension to his offensive sport now that groups had a scouting report on him, taking pictures 9.4 threes per sport (on tempo to guide the franchise in a single season by a rustic mile) most likely wasn’t on anybody’s bingo card. Even so, he’s hitting them at a stable 35.5 p.c charge for the season, however extra importantly 39.5 p.c since November 9.
As beforehand talked about, not solely does his three-point taking pictures make him extra appropriate with gamers corresponding to Sochan, but it surely additionally makes him tougher to protect on the whole. Of their first 9 video games, earlier than the threes began falling, defenses had been doubling Wemby down low, stripping the ball when he tried to dribble, or simply laying again when he shot from exterior. Now, they should respect him everywhere in the court docket, and once they do shut out on his threes, he can both drive it himself or discover the open man as defenders shut in.
With the ever-growing pattern dimension, we’re approaching a degree the place it’s secure to say that Wemby isn’t only a shooter; he’s a scorer. That in flip takes the Spurs’ offense to a different degree and opens issues up for everybody else. Mixed with their improved protection, the Spurs are not a workforce that suffers a number of scoring droughts per sport and is incapable of holding onto leads. There’s not a worry that each sport will collapse at any given minute, making the Spurs far more aggressive and pleasant to look at, and that’s the whole lot and extra that we may have requested for by this level of the season.
