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Josh Primo is showing serious flashes of two-way potential
The absences of key players opened up playing time for the rookie, who’s been showing the upside that made him a lottery pick.
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The Spurs are losing battles against math — and luck
Three pointer-averse San Antonio has found itself on the wrong side of basketball math this season. That includes some extremely hot shooting by their opponents that has led to their defensive slide.
Analysis
A look at the Spurs’ unusual method of getting points in the paint
San Antonio leads the league in points in the paint, but is doing so by relying more on floaters and short jumpers than layups and dunks.
Spurs’ win streak highlights their tricky roadmap for success
San Antonio has strung together its first win streak of the year. What are the themes and what can be sustained moving forward?
How the Spurs’ core rotation has done so far
The Spurs have a losing record. But not everything is lost.
Keldon Johnson hasn’t made ‘the leap’ yet, but he’s making strides
Johnson is not as close to becoming a star as Spurs fans hoped early in his third season, but he might still get there eventually if he keeps improving like he has so far.
Dejounte Murray is doing more with more
The longest tenured Spur has taken another leap in his game while stepping into his team’s offensive void.
Lonnie Walker has made a subtle but important improvement
Walker is starting to look more comfortable as a secondary shot creator, which could help him find a place long term with the Spurs.
The Spurs’ season will be defined by their improvement in crunch time
As games have slowed down in the final minutes, the Spurs have been short on options for what to do and who to turn to, losing a handful of close ones as a result.
What Jakob Poeltl’s absence means for the Spurs
The Spurs will be without one of their best players for a few games. While it’s hard to find silver linings to Poeltl’s absence, it could be interesting to see if others can step up while he’s out.
Jakob Poeltl is at the center of the Spurs’ half-court show
An offense lacking in high-level on-ball creation has turned to its non-shooting center to grease the gears and create off-ball looks.
Thaddeus Young could go from throw-in to key piece for the Spurs
Young was likely included in the DeRozan sign-and-trade to match salaries, but his defense and especially his passing could actually make him a huge addition to the rotation.
Why the Spurs offense could take a step back next season
A transformative offseason in San Antonio led to the departure of key veterans, leaving behind a number of statistical gaps and a group of young players ready to step into bigger roles. Here are some numbers on what we can expect.
A flow chart determining who the Spurs will take in the 2021 NBA Draft
Graphic design is my passion.
The biggest factor in the Spurs’ offseason isn’t the draft or free agency
With plenty of cap space and a lottery pick, PATFO head into a potentially pivotal offseason with a chance to define the team’s identity and direction. That begins with how they view themselves right now.
Why Jalen Johnson could be the missing piece to the Spurs’ young core
The 19 year old freshman out of Duke may be one of the most disputed prospects in this years draft class, but in a summer where the Spurs have a fresh slate, Jalen Johnson could be their home run pick at #12.
What the Spurs can learn from Trae Young’s torching of the Bucks’ defensive scheme
The Bucks got torched by Trae Young for playing the same pick-and-roll coverage the Spurs use. San Antonio should take it into account when reshaping the roster this offseason.
Devin Vassell’s rookie season should have Spurs fans excited
Even in a small role and in the strangest of seasons, Vassell showed enough upside to inspire optimism about his future.
Analyzing Dejounte Murray’s offensive breakout and how he can make another leap
Dejounte Murray has been one of the most improved players this season, but what does he need to work on to make another offensive leap?
Derrick White has become the volume shooter the Spurs needed
San Antonio’s lack of outside threats has practically forced White to play off the ball more, and he’s starting to thrive.
Drew Eubanks simply wasn’t ready
Timing is everything, and Eubanks getting a big opportunity before he was ready was bad both for the Spurs and potentially his career.
What DeMar DeRozan exploring free agency could mean for the Spurs
DeRozan wants to explore his options, but that doesn’t mean there’s no chance he returns to San Antonio.
Not trading DeMar DeRozan was the right decision for the Spurs
For now, it makes sense for the veteran wing to remain in San Antonio. For now...
A deep dive into Jakob Poeltl’s overall impact
Jakob Poeltl has developed into a top 10 defensive player in the league, but how much does his offense limit his overall impact?
What could make Luka Samanic the most important player on the Spurs’ roster
Spurs fans are right to be ecstatic about the progress of the young big man, since his development could play a key role in the next step of the youth movement.
LaMarcus Aldridge is a huge defensive liability for the Spurs
Aldridge has served the Spurs well in the past as a starter, but his defense has deteriorated to the point that a demotion to the bench makes sense.
The Spurs’ second unit is the main reason for their success
The Spurs have one of the best benches in the league, which has carried them through slow starts and bad performances by the starters.
What we know about the Spurs at the season’s quarter pole
The Spurs have been a pleasant surprise in their first 18 games, but now the challenge will be to maintain that level going forward.
The Spurs have a transition defense problem
Like most young teams, the Spurs often struggle with getting back on defense in an orderly manner.
What the James Harden trade means to the Spurs
It’s the end of an era for one of San Antonio’s division foes and a monumental shift in the league’s power balance that will affect the Spurs.
Lonnie Walker IV and Keldon Johnson’s next areas to improve
The two young wings are already valuable rotation players, but if they could address a couple of specific weaknesses, their ceilings would be instantly raised.
How the Spurs can use Bubble Ball’s chaos to find their new order
Faster pace and fewer plays may be the team’s best path to a brighter future. Expect a few bumps along the way.
In ways big and small, the Spurs must reinvent themselves
The fiesta jerseys shouldn’t be the only dramatic change to the Spurs experience in 2020-21.
Jakob Poeltl’s contract sheds light on what the Spurs may be doing
As the front office juggles all that 2021 cap space and a glut of interchangeable pieces on the perimeter, the Poeltl re-signing lends some structure to their vision.