The narrative that the Spurs can “solely beat the Thunder” doesn’t survive even a small look on the Western Convention standings. Regardless of losses in three of their final 5 video games, San Antonio is 25-10 because the calendar turns to 2026, and that document contains beating NBA’s finest group by document for a lot of the season. That run got here largely with out Victor Wembanyama, with De’Aaron Fox and others additionally lacking time alongside the best way.
The Spurs didn’t simply feast on Oklahoma Metropolis, both. They rallied from 17 factors right down to defeat the Nuggets in Denver, beat the Lakers in Los Angeles to succeed in the In-Season Event, and stacked up wins towards a wide range of strong opponents. The larger image stays clear: this can be a superb basketball group.
Nonetheless, the current losses — significantly the one towards Cleveland — uncovered one thing essential. Not a deadly flaw, however the subsequent drawback San Antonio should resolve if it needs to take that subsequent step.
Cleveland confirmed group’s the following transfer
After the Spurs misplaced to the Phoenix Suns in early November, it was the primary time a group had thrown powerful protection at Victor Wembanyama, and provides the Suns credit score: it received inside his head. Now to this current loss towards Cleveland, and once more, give credit score the place it’s due: the Cavaliers performed a wonderful defensive recreation. Their exercise, deflections and rotations stood out, persevering with a current rise in depth that appears a lot nearer to final season’s Cleveland group that was atop the Japanese Convention.
In opposition to the Spurs, Cleveland additionally unveiled a defensive method that’s prone to present up once more — and infrequently. As an alternative of placing their guards on the Spurs’ guards, they put foward Dean Wade on Stephon Citadel and De’Andre Hunter on Dylan Harper. This triggered points for the Spurs, who couldn’t counter the Cavs’ measurement. It compelled Citadel and Harper to take exterior jumpers as an alternative of driving into the paint, which is their bread and butter.
The results of Cleveland’s protection was a stalled Spurs offense. San Antonio generated simply 19 spot-up alternatives towards Cleveland, its lowest whole since opening evening and nicely under its season common of 30 per recreation. As a result of these greater defenders might include the ball on their very own, Cleveland didn’t have to overhelp, taking away kickouts and clear appears.
A problem for a younger, rising group
This can be a acquainted step within the rise of a younger contender. First comes the breakout, when velocity and expertise overwhelm opponents. Then comes the adjustment, as groups determine weaknesses and forces a response. For the Spurs, that weak point is obvious: opponents are betting the Spurs’ younger guards received’t persistently beat measurement with leap capturing.
In the long run, the reply is easy. Citadel and Harper should proceed creating their pull-up video games. Elite guards across the league — consider Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jaylen Brown, Donovan Mitchell — punish defenses that play up to now off. Within the quick time period, the Spurs will want creativity.
How the Spurs can counter — proper now
That is the place having De’Aaron Fox turns into a luxurious. Fox missed the sport towards Utah with an adductor damage and struggled towards Cleveland, however his presence alone adjustments the whole offensive movement for the Spurs. Fox is a guard with lighting fast velocity and if defenders are giving Harper and Citadel matches, he can drive to the rim or pull up for a shot from three-point vary.
One other concept is to place Put Citadel or Harper in actions with Fox and power these greater defenders to change or assist. This may assist Harper or Citadel get a smaller defender on them and even give Fox a free path to the rim. All of the sudden, the benefit swings again to San Antonio. To this point this season, San Antonio has been in a position to depend on comparatively easy offense — early isolations, quick-hitting actions and straight-line drives — due to how efficient its guards have been. As groups determine this out, that received’t at all times be sufficient.
The excellent news? There’s time. From now till mid-April, the Spurs can experiment, regulate and develop. The even higher information is that this drawback exists as a result of San Antonio is sweet — adequate that opponents are already tailoring defensive schemes to sluggish it down.
Groups don’t scheme this fashion for rebuilding golf equipment. They do it for contenders.
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