If there are any Spurs fans who are still ‘not embracing the tank’ before last night’s preseason opener, they should be ready now. While it shouldn’t be considered, while the Spurs lost their best possible player in Keldon Johnson and another potential starter in Josh Primo, the loss is something Spurs fans will need to get used to. quickly.
The points gap wouldn’t be nearly as extreme as last night’s eye-popping 134-96 score against the equally inexperienced (but at this point more talented) Houston Rockets team on most nights, but This is going to be who the Spurs are. The bulk of the 2022-23 season: a young and inexperienced team No designated point guard, Lack of experienced and reliable players Holding the clutch, veteran leadership is scarce.
Gregg Popovich candidly admitted on Media Day that this is not the team he expects to contend for the championship (because of course), but the players still believe their goal is to make the playoffs and They should not. They are still being paid to play the best basketball and they need something to motivate themselves prior to every game. This is a group that gives it their all every game But don’t expect it to lead to many wins.
Of course, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so I’m not saying this isn’t worth watching. Johnson is a fan favorite, improving with each season and will find a way to keep everyone excited. So what does he do with an enhanced body and his year of experience under his belt?
Devin Vassell looks poised to expand the role and should be free to show everything he can without the restrictions of having similar players around him.Jeremy Sawchan , or should we call him The Worm Right, shined on defense last night (more on him going forward), and Malachi Branham was one of the few bright spots on the Spurs’ offense.
Ultimately, this should be the worst team the Spurs have defended since 1997, but that doesn’t mean there’s no reason to watch and root for them. On top of that, they’ve gone this bad twice in a row and the rewards are franchise-changing, with some players waiting to be drafted next summer that could turn their fortunes around again So even if the loss is hard to see (it is for me) remember this is the season.
