Spurs coaching camp is simply across the nook, which implies when you aren’t already, you’ll be able to formally begin calling the 2024-25 NBA season “this season”, whereas 2023-24 is the final. There may be lots to be enthusiastic about trying ahead, starting from how Victor Wembanyama will handle to wow us much more in 12 months 2 to what new additions Chris Paul, Harrison Barnes and Stephon Fortress will deliver to the desk because the Spurs look to begin shifting up the standings as soon as once more.
Because of this, I assumed it might be enjoyable to take a guess at which gamers will lead the Spurs in main statistical classes subsequent season. Just a few could also be apparent and can doubtless by no means change so long as Wemby is round, however there may be room for brand new leaders in different classes, so let’s have a look.
Factors: Victor Wembanyama
2023-24 chief: Victor Wembanyama (21.4)
This one is a type of stats that you simply most likely chalk Wemby up as Spurs’ chief for the following 15 years. He fairly comfortably exceeded the 20 ppg threshold in his rookie season regardless of the Spurs’ well-documented lack of ability to get him the ball at instances, beginning the season away from the basket, taking part in with no level guard, and being an inconsistent-yet-possibly-too-willing exterior shooter. To not point out, he averaged 23.5 factors after the All-Star sport because the Spurs improved and began taking part in in a extra established system.
Now that he has gotten by way of the rookie rising pains, moved to heart and has extra assist round him, count on his second season to be even higher. With Paul main the present, he’ll obtain extra of these lobs that the Spurs’ passers typically infamously missed final season, and that alone needs to be good for at the least two extra factors per sport, if no more. Add to the truth that he confirmed indicators as an improved exterior shooter late final season and within the Olympics, and there’s zero purpose to consider the Spurs’ main scorer gained’t simply preserve getting higher.
Rebounds: Victor Wembanyama
2023-24 chief: Victor Wembanyama (10.6)
Once more, who else? Not solely does Wemby have already got the benefit of being 7’4” (or no matter he’s by now) with an 8-foot wingspan, however he’ll now nearly all the time be near the basket as a middle as a substitute of energy ahead, so many misses by the opponent (and several other on the Spurs’ finish) can be his for the taking. It’s truly form of stunning that he didn’t seize extra rebounds final season, however that may principally be chalked as much as beginning the season at energy ahead and people cursed minutes restrictions. Put up-All Star break, he averaged 12 rebounds per sport, so count on this season’s numbers to be nearer to that, if not higher.
Assists: Chris Paul
2023-24 chief: Tre Jones (6.2)
Now we get to a possible new chief. It’s fairly uncommon that anybody apart from the start line guard leads a group in assists per sport, and the Spurs simply added probably the greatest pure passers of all time in Paul. If for no different purpose than he’s anticipated to begin and can most likely have his best goal of all time in Wemby to intention for, count on Paul to take the reins on this class, even when it’s only for one season.
The one manner I can see that not occurring is that if Paul performs considerably fewer minutes than Jones or finally cedes the stating spot to him, and each appear unlikely except Paul is traded. Additionally, for reference, final season was the primary time he performed lower than 30 mpg in his whole profession, and that was whereas principally coming off the bench for the Warriors. Whereas there can be a little bit of a balancing act for Gregg Popovich on the subject of giving Paul his minutes whereas permitting for inner development for youthful gamers, assists continues to be his class to lose.
Blocks: Victor Wembanyama
2023-24 chief: Victor Wembanyama (3.6)
And we’re again to yet one more class Wemby will doubtless by no means lose so long as he’s on a basketball courtroom: blocks. Once more, as spectacular as that quantity was final season, it was even higher after the All-Star break at a whopping 4.5 blocks per sport. It might or is probably not a stretch to count on that quantity rise much more — we’d see extra performs like this the place gamers don’t even attempt to problem him or give him the satisfaction — however regardless, not solely will he be the Spurs chief in blocks for years to come back, however doubtless even the league’s.
Steals: Tre Jones
2023-24 chief: Victor Wembanyama (1.2)
This can be slightly controversial as a result of once more, Wemby’s numbers jumped to 1.5 steals after the All-Star break and he very nicely might lead in that class once more, however I’m going to exit on a limb and provides another person an opportunity. Devin Vassell and Jones had been proper behind him final season with 1.1 and 1 steal per sport, respectively, and Paul averaged 1.2 steals final season — which was a profession low for him.
All three of these guys have an opportunity get to their palms on the ball earlier than it will get down low to Wemby, however on this case I’ve determined to present the profit to Jones, who ought to nonetheless get loads of minutes behind the older Paul (who may have some relaxation video games) and could have the added benefit of going towards extra backup level guards who is probably not as safe with the ball in comparison with starters. If I needed to place cash on this stat, I’d most likely nonetheless give it to Wemby, and possibly I simply needed to present Jones some credit score with this decide, however I additionally consider in his pesky, head-of-the-snake protection and limitless effort.
Three-point capturing: Harrison Barnes
2023-24 chief: Doug McDermott (43.9%)
The Spurs’ two main shooters from exterior the arc — McDermott and Cedi Osman (38.9%) — are each now not with the group, so meaning the Spurs must depend on inner development and/or their latest additions to spice up their three-point capturing numbers. Devin Vassell (37.2%) and Julian Champagnie (36.5%) are the one returning Spurs who shot greater than 35% from three final season, and each might simply see their numbers rise with higher spacing and ball distribution this season.
There are different candidates for enchancment, resembling Wembanyama, Jeremy Sochan, Jones and Keldon Johnson, however in the end I consider the Spurs’ main three-point shooter can be somebody who has already confirmed himself from that a part of the courtroom throughout an extended profession: Harrison Barnes. A profession 38% shooter from the arc, Barnes hasn’t shot under that mark because the 2017-18 season, and there’s little purpose to consider that may change now. Assuming he begins, he can be sharing the ground lots with least Paul, Vassell and Wemby, who will all draw extra defensive consideration and provides him his open alternatives, making him a straightforward resolution to steer this class.
What do you suppose, Pounders? Who would be the Spurs statistical leaders this season and why? Be happy to debate within the feedback under!
