Welcome to the Week in Evaluation: a Monday function that appears again on the week that was for the San Antonio Spurs, takes a take a look at the week forward, and extra. Get pleasure from!
Often we begin with a reminder of how final week went, however we didn’t have a Week 0 put up. Lengthy story brief, they went 5-0 within the preseason, which whereas it shouldn’t be taken too severely, ended up being precursor to opening week, the place the Spurs continued their unbeaten streak by beginning 3-0 for the primary time since 2019 — the final time they made the NBA Playoffs. They gained in all manners — good, unhealthy and ugly — however the truth that they discovered a method irrespective of the circumstances is what issues.
Earlier than we get into that, a giant shout out to Victor Wembanyama, who appeared just like the happiest basketball participant alive after his return from deep vein thrombosis. Not solely does he look remodeled into the highest 5 NBA participant some anticipated him to already be, however he has already made much more NBA historical past by turning into the primary participant to report 100+ factors and 15+ blocks within the first three video games of the season, with precisely 100 factors, 40 rebounds, and 18 blocked photographs.
Week 1: 3-0 (3-0, 1st in West)
125-92 win at Dallas Mavericks
Recap: With the season opener in Dallas anticipated to be all concerning the no. 1 total choose going up towards the no. 2 total choose, it as an alternative was The Return of Victor Wembanyama Present, and he ended up giving Cooper Flagg fairly the “welcome to the NBA” with a dominant 40-point, 15-rebound dunkathon that shortly was a second-half blowout whereas reminding Mavs followers (as in the event that they wanted it) that they miss Luka Doncic.
120-116 OT win at New Orleans Pelicans
Recap: Going through a Pelicans squad that was shorthanded however featured a wholesome, in-shape model of Zion Williamson, the Spurs got here again all the way down to earth a bit. It was an unpleasant, chippy sport during which neither group might draw back, however the Spurs pulled out the win in OT due to some clutch-time heroics from the function gamers after Wemby (and far earlier, Keldon Johnson) had fouled out.
118-107 win vs. Brooklyn Nets
Recap: The Spurs had gained a great sport and an unpleasant sport to date, now it was time to point out they might win a nasty one. After getting out to a 26-point lead early within the third quarter, the Spurs proceeded to fully blow it because the Nets began double-teaming Wemby whereas Cam Thomas went off for 40 factors. Luckily, they lastly discovered a solution to the Wemby doubles, with rookie Dylan Harper stepping in for 20 factors, 8 assists and 6 rebounds, enjoying a pivotal function in getting his again in a sport after falling behind for the second sport in a row.
John Schuhmann, NBA.com — 8 (final week: 15)
OffRtg: 120.2 (4) DefRtg: 104.7 (2) NetRtg: +15.5 (1) Tempo: 97.1 (28)
The Spurs have been one in every of simply two 3-0 groups in Week 1, thrashing the Mavs earlier than holding on for clutch wins towards New Orleans and Brooklyn. Victor Wembanyama is a brand new man, and he averaged 33.3 factors, 13.3 rebounds and 6 blocks over the three wins.
Three takeaways
Developing: Amazingly, the Spurs have by no means began a season with 5 straight wins. They’re 60% of the way in which there as their win over Brooklyn on Sunday afternoon started a stretch the place they’re enjoying 10 of 13 video games at house. Wembanyama’s recognition of double-teams may very well be vital towards the Raptors’ aggressive protection on Monday evening.
Legislation Murray, The Athletic — 12 (final week: 17)
The Large Query: Have the Spurs found out find out how to play when Victor Wembanyama is off the ground?
When Wembanyama was a rookie two years in the past, the Spurs have been outscored with and with out him on the ground; they have been a 60-loss group. Final season, the Spurs outscored opponents by 102 factors with Wembanyama on the ground however have been outscored by 328 factors when Wembanyama was off the ground or inactive. In three video games to start this season, the Spurs are outscoring opponents by 32 factors with Wembanyama on the ground and 16 factors with Wembanyama off the ground. Two huge causes are the presence of backup heart Luke Kornet and backup level guard Dylan Harper, the second choose within the draft. San Antonio can also be holding up defensively whereas scoring even higher offensively with Wembanyama on the bench. Individually, Wembanyama appears to be like terrifying. The competitors hasn’t been the very best, however the Spurs weren’t good final yr both, so wanting good with and with out Wembanyama is an encouraging early signal for a Spurs group that’s nonetheless ready for the season debut of De’Aaron Fox.
Developing: Mon. 10/27 vs. Toronto Raptors (1-2); Thurs. 10/30 vs. Miami Warmth (2-1); Solar. 11/2 at Phoenix Suns (1-2)
Prediction: I stated earlier than the season this Spurs might conceivably begin 6-0 primarily based on this schedule, and I’m sticking to that prediction primarily based on what they’ve proven us to date. At Miami may very well be powerful, however the Spurs might have Fox again by then, and Kelly Olynyk and Jeremy Sochan are mainly day-to-day. The Spurs’ depth has shined to date, and there’s no purpose to assume it gained’t proceed to.
