Two of the highest minds in NBA media — ESPN’s Tim Legler and DNVR Nuggets’ Adam Mares — have the San Antonio Spurs’ ceiling as a first-round exit. The clever guys even have them profitable 44.5 video games (FanDuel, DraftKings and Caesars Sportsbook), which makes one marvel, are they nonetheless underrated?
Needless to say the Spurs have been as excessive because the ninth seed in 2024-25 after 40.2 p.c of the season. At the moment, they have been a half-game behind the Minnesota Timberwolves and a half-game forward of the Golden State Warriors. The Warriors ended up because the seventh seed (with 48 wins) and considerably improved after buying and selling for Jimmy Butler. The Spurs by no means obtained an actual probability to mix their new firepower after buying and selling for De’Aaron Fox as a result of Wembanyama was out with a blood clot shortly after. Then Fox was shut down for surgical procedure.
A few of the good issues from preseason which have jumped off the web page are Julian Champagnie’s 3-point capturing, Carter Bryant’s jail yard protection plus Keldon Johnson’s effectivity, which could carry over. There’s additionally the added continuity of Johnson and Devin Vassell, who’re going into yr seven and 6 with the group and each have been part of the highest eight rotation final yr.
Little question Fox’s hamstring damage is an enormous issue. He feels he can play already, however the cautious route will presumably be taken due to how a lot of his explosiveness comes from the hamstring and the way a lot his sport is made by pace.
Nonetheless, the Spurs have sufficient to get by over .500 till he’s again. Their protection needs to be stronger, contemplating Stephon Citadel was an efficient point-of-attack pest as a rookie, and Victor Wembanyama’s pick-and-roll protection will get higher yearly.
In addition, the offseason upgrades included high quality backup massive males in Luke Kornet and Kelly Olynyk. Every of them can play subsequent to Wembanyama, however their worth might be felt within the non-Wemby minutes so the group doesn’t sink. Each are veteran seven-footers who’re good at guarding the again line. And consider all of the occasions Charles Bassey or Bismack Biyombo set a display screen and have been left open. If that occurs now with the Olynyk and Kornet, it’s in all probability a bucket.
Ultimately, Fox might be accessible. Aside from scoring, his entry passes will make Wembanyama further harmful under the elbow as a result of he’ll have the ability to use his cheat code dimension nearer and with out the additional consideration of doing it on the dribble.
Outsiders are possibly underestimating how deadly the Fox-Wemby combo might be. Wemby has a goal to hit in transition for straightforward baskets. Fox goes to feed him for a bunch of soar pictures within the half-court as a result of he attracts assist defenders when going inside. Think about that Wemby transformed 37.7 p.c of his catch-and-shoot treys final yr and solely 31.3 p.c on the dribble. He improved by 9.4% p.c on his threes off the catch from rookie to sophomore yr.
Display rolls between them are going to overload the lane and have the potential to match the Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokić two-man motion. The wonder on this pairing is that Wemby is a succesful ball handler, so inverted units put him in place to cross excessive to shooters on the facet. He’s added a little bit of power over the summer time, too, which is able to assist get downhill simpler on these possessions.
It’s occurring 9 years for the reason that Spurs have gained a playoff collection and simply getting there isn’t adequate. A historical past of profitable has spoiled supporters, and the Fox commerce with summer time additions sped up the timeline to win and they should produce greater than child steps. They will get there, and their ceiling is the second spherical.
