This season might have been worse, it actually might have been so much higher—however positively could possibly be so much worse. The Spurs improved their win complete from final season (must stroll earlier than you crawl as they are saying . . .), Gregg Popovich’s absence could possibly be felt (however thank goodness he appears to be recovering, which is all that issues), Victor Wembanyama’s blood clot analysis put a damper on a promising submit All-Star push, (thank goodness his situation was caught promptly in hopes of a full restoration) (accordingly, Wembanyama positively seems the a part of one other Spurs nice in a protracted line of greats when he did play), De’Aaron Fox shall be part of this group for the complete season subsequent 12 months, and if one rookie-of-the-year participant isn’t sufficient how about two in as many seasons?
Issues are actually wanting up with extra certainty, no less than in comparison with final 12 months’s questions (is Wemby going to get assist by way of the draft or free company?) and particularly in comparison with the 12 months earlier than (ARE WE EVEN GOING TO GET WEMBY? WHAT ARE THE ODDS?). For this season no less than, the great guys placed on an exciting cap on the season with a win. Keldon Johnson led the group with 23 factors on 10 – 14 taking pictures, whereas Stephon Fort contributed 20 factors, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists.
You possibly can’t deny Keldon Johnson, you possibly can solely hope to include him, however you possibly can’t include Keldon Johnson, you possibly can solely hope to sluggish him down, however you possibly can’t sluggish Keldon Johnson down, you possibly can solely hope that all of us get caught within the wake of his hustle to encourage us to lastly do our taxes.
By no means make a move whereas leaping, except you’re Sandro Mamukelashvili and also you knew precisely the place you needed to weave this move to an open Blake Wesley.
We want extra graphics throughout video games like “yoink!” for steals, “splash” for 3-point pictures, “womp womp” for turnovers (or flops), and “BOOMSHAKALAKA” when a participant is on an absolute NBA Jam heater. On this case, Wesley yoinked the ball and went the opposite method for a straightforward bucket.
Keldon Johnson slogged his method via a sea of defenders for this robust bucket. It is going to be attention-grabbing to see what the longer term holds for KJ as his vitality, hustle, and functionality for quantity scoring is efficacious for any group. In a storm of uncertainty and accidents, Johnson was the one fixed the Spurs had this season and in current reminiscence.
I’m about the identical age as Chris Paul (shhh), and my knees damage simply watching him go into his bag of methods to beat his defender off the dribble for the jumper. Right here’s hoping CP3 comes again subsequent season, but when he doesn’t, all of the younger Spurs benefited from taking part in alongside a hall-of-famer (he’s going to the Lakers subsequent season—you heard it right here first if it occurs, if it doesn’t I shouldn’t have any recollection of claiming that).
Taking part in all 82 video games isn’t any small feat. Spectacular that “grizzled” vets Harrison Barnes and Chris Paul completed this at their “superior” age. Goes to point out you the way accidents are an unlucky a part of the sport, and supreme rivals like Paul would have performed in all of these playoff video games if his physique, you understand, allowed him to play on the stage he anticipated.
If you happen to missed the sport since you have been too busy consuming a $1.50 pimento cheese sandwich, listed below are the full-game highlights:
I wish to thank our fearless chief and EIC, J.R. Wilco, for as soon as once more giving me the chance to share our love of the Spurs with fellow followers. Can not look ahead to what subsequent season holds!
Subsequent up, the Spurs can have a robust draft, come again more healthy, hungrier, and prepared for a playoff berth! Cheers and GSG!
