No person would name the 2023-24 San Antonio Spurs an offensive juggernaut. Their main scorer was a rookie, and so they completed close to the underside half of the league in nearly each offensive metric. But, there have been occasions when the staff was clicking and seemed just like the ball-moving, shot-making Spurs of outdated.
San Antonio’s offensive success got here when its greatest gamers had been on the ground. The Silver and Black posted an total 110 offensive ranking (twenty sixth within the NBA) however once they performed Tre Jones, Devin Vassell, Keldon Johnson, Jeremy Sochan and Victor Wembanyama collectively, that offensive ranking jumped to 117. There’s room for optimism that this yr’s Spurs will likely be even higher offensively with an inflow of expertise that features Chris Paul, Harrison Barnes and Stephon Fortress.
It’s arduous to find out simply what precisely this improved Spurs squad will appear to be subsequent season. With simply three weeks till the primary preseason sport, my thoughts is racing to determine the strengths and weaknesses of subsequent yr’s staff.
Power: Shot creation
The Spurs have amassed a variety of gamers that may create their very own shot within the half-court. Wembanyama highlights a gaggle that’s anticipated to make the leap offensively. After settling into the NBA, Wemby seemed like a dominant offensive power. He averaged 23.5 factors on 45.7% taking pictures from the sector and 33.3% taking pictures from deep put up All-Star break. Your entire basketball world expects Wembanyama to be even higher in his second season, and with that ought to come extra shot creation within the put up and on the perimeter.
San Antonio’s guards are strong creators, too. Vassell had one of the best season of his profession, averaging 19.5 factors on environment friendly taking pictures. He bought higher at aggressively attending to the basket to go with his dynamic exterior sport. Paul isn’t fairly the participant he was once, however his mid-range bounce shot continues to be cash. On high of his next-level basketball IQ, he has the deal with and tempo to create pictures within the half-court. A revitalized Johnson may have a bounce-back season because the sixth man, and I’m not but giving up on Malaki Branham changing into a extra constant scorer within the second unit.
Weak point: Three-point taking pictures
San Antonio struggled mightily to hit pictures from deep final season. They completed twenty eighth in three-point proportion, hitting 34.7% of their threes. Regardless of including two gamers who shot above 35% in Barnes and Paul, they nonetheless have too many non-shooters for this to change into an offensive power.
The Spurs had three gamers shoot over 36% on deep pictures final season: Julian Champagnie, Vassell and Cedi Osman (who’s gone.) They’re relying on huge enhancements from gamers who haven’t confirmed to be constant shooters. Sochan’s shot is being fully reworked and is a whole wild card. Wembanyama can seemingly stretch the ground, however hasn’t hit deep pictures constantly to be relied on from on the market. Zach Collins, Johnson, Branham and Jones are inconsistent shooters at greatest. Fortress shot beneath 30% from deep in school. Outdoors of Vassell, Paul, Barnes and Champagnie, it’s arduous to really feel nice in regards to the taking pictures skill of those Spurs.
Power: Half-court offense and ball motion
The one offensive metric the Spurs thrived in final yr was assists. Would you anticipate something totally different from a Gregg Popovich staff? San Antonio moved the ball nicely and had been led by an offensive mastermind. Whether or not it’s the high-low offense with Wembanyama and Collins, or the flex units to get Vassell open seems, Popovich was in his bag final season. Now he may have Paul to steer decide and rolls, a Swiss military knife guard like Fortress to experiment with and one other season to design performs for Wembanyama.
With extra offensive weapons, I anticipate Pop’s X’s and O’s sport to be at its greatest and for the Spurs to proceed shifting the ball nicely.
Weak point: Ball safety
Even with CP3, turnovers will seemingly proceed to be a problem for the Silver and Black. Final season, San Antonio had the third most turnovers within the NBA (15.1 per sport). A bulk of these got here from their famous person unicorn. Wembanyama averaged 3.7 giveaways a sport. Key gamers like Vassell, Sochan and Jones all coughed the ball up over 1.5 occasions a sport.
The Spurs play quick. They get numerous offensive possessions and cross loads. Turnovers are going to occur. The hope is that the vets can assist the staff reduce down on all of the errors.
Power: Transition offense
The Spurs had been third in tempo of play final yr. They wish to go quick and get pictures up in a rush. One in all San Antonio’s greatest offensive performs was the lob to Wembanyama on the break. After a complete yr with the 7-foot-5 huge man, the gamers know they will simply throw it as much as him and create an offensive benefit. With extra familiarity and higher playmakers, the Spurs transition sport must be even higher in 2024-25.
