All-Star Weekend has wrapped up, and the basketball world continues to be speaking concerning the San Antonio Spurs. A lot of the narrative across the All-Star Recreation was that Victor Wembanyama set the tone from an depth standpoint, bettering the sport for the higher.
However he wasn’t the one Spur to star at All-Star Weekend. De’Aaron Fox hit a game-winning three-pointer within the All-Star Recreation, Dylan Harper hit a game-winner over his brother within the Rising Stars Problem, and Carter Bryant soared to a runner-up end within the Dunk Contest.
Earlier than the weekend, we polled readers on who would placed on the very best efficiency, and unsurprisingly, they nailed it. Wembanyama might have received the ASG MVP if Crew World carried out higher. Mitch Johnson received’t get quite a lot of flowers for teaching Crew Stripes, which misplaced within the championship recreation, however who is aware of if Kawhi Leonard goes on that 31-point tear if Johnson hadn’t been there to maintain him within the recreation. It makes you suppose! Both method, probably the most profitable occasion of the weekend had three Spurs concerned in massive moments.
Harper and Fortress had their moments within the Rising Stars problem, nevertheless it felt like Harper got here away as an actual winner from the weekend. His spotlight towards Ron Harper Jr. was hilarious. Ron Harper Sr. lacking a layup within the Capturing Stars Problem was humorous, too. And all the behind-the-scenes footage of Harper made it appear to be he acquired to chum it up with among the league’s finest.
San Antonio might have had much more illustration on the occasion, in keeping with readers. 77% of respondents mentioned that Fortress was snubbed for the All-Star recreation. Fortress is averaging 16.5 factors, 7 assists, and 5 rebounds whereas capturing 46.4% from the sphere and 28.8% from three. These aren’t fairly All-Star stats, however as soon as you work in his defensive impression and the position he performs on a 38-16 staff, it’s laborious to disclaim that he has been probably the most necessary gamers within the NBA.
Fortress’s time is coming. He’s improved in nearly each statistical class since his rookie season. He’s creating right into a legit two-way drive who could make performs for others and get to the basket at will. We’re nonetheless ready on the 2024 NBA Draft class’s first all-star. Fortress might attain that peak earlier than the remainder of the draftees.
The Spurs now head into the stretch run of the season because the playoffs quickly method. They not solely have a shot at dwelling court docket benefit within the first two rounds, however might even safe the one-seed in the event that they go on a sizzling streak to finish the season.
