San Antonio Spurs: Fan perspective on the big talking points
As part of a new series of articles produced exclusively for Sky Sports by NBA superfans from across the UK and Ireland, we look at the state of play for every franchise with preseason now under way ahead of the new campaign
Tuesday 18 October 2022 08:15, UK
Spurs fan Rahul Asnani assesses the 2021-22 season and then casts an eye ahead to the 2022-23 campaign for San Antonio.
Where my love for the NBA and the Spurs came from...
My name is Rahul Asnani and my emotions have been linked ever so romantically with the San Antonio Spurs since 2012. I am originally from India and moved to the UK last year to pursue my Masters in Sports Journalism. I have my website, YouTube channel and podcast under the banner of 'The Conventional 9' where I have had the opportunity to interview the likes of Chris Finch, Nick Nurse and Luc M'Bah A Moute.
Quite serendipitously, my current line of work goes back to falling in love with the NBA and the Spurs a decade ago. I am 6ft 5ins and as a teenager, that is all anybody would mention right before they ask you if you play basketball. At some point, I decided to humour the constant badgering and gave the sport a try. One of my friends had been following the NBA for a while and told me to start with some highlights.
He recommended the likes of Kobe Bryant and LeBron James, but he was quite adamant that I look up Shaquille O'Neal. It didn't take long to figure out why basketball was so popular in the States. The game in its essence is dramatic. The shot clock, the buzzer beaters, the time-outs; it's quintessential American sports. While looking up Shaq highlights though, I saw this one player who bested him multiple times. It wasn't someone who could match him in size and strength. Frankly, who could? But it wasn't even close. It was a 6ft 6ins guard.
A moment stuck with me: he caught the ball off a dribble handoff and drove to the point, Shaq poised to stop him. Not only did the elusive guard take him up on the challenge, he finished with a behind-the-back and-one layup. Even Kobe had to point to the line. It was none other than Manu Ginobili. It just clicked. The spirit of the man, the team; it was infectious. I came to know of the big three with Tim Duncan and Tony Parker and the dynasty that came with it. The league caught my attention and the Spurs captured my soul.
My favourite players
All time, it has to be Manu Ginobili. The panache along with his ability to fit into whatever the team needs makes him one of the most influential player models in basketball history.
Currently, I am enamoured by Devin Vassell and the upside he has going into his third year. His second season saw him develop his shot creation as well as remain consistent on the defensive side. The play-in game against the New Orleans Pelicans was a microcosm of his development, scoring 23 points while going 7-for-13 from beyond the arc.
Grade for last season: B+
Perhaps the most important thing to come from last season for the Spurs was the realisation that making the yearly push for the playoffs is a surefire recipe to going nowhere. Dejounte Murray was given the reins for the side as he had a breakout season and was pivotal in the team's ability to make the play-in game. He averaged 21.1 points, 8.3 rebounds and 9.2 steals but most importantly, he led the league in the steals department, averaging two steals per game. His inclusion in the All-Star game was a deserved personal accolade for him. The youth in general ran the proceedings as their strengths and weaknesses were heightened because of it. Coach Gregg Popovich becoming the winningest coach in NBA history meant a lot for the franchise as well.
Taking a step back, the Spurs had an enlightening albeit seldomly frustrating season. There was an overarching lack of consistency on both ends of the court for the majority of the players, especially down the stretch. The Spurs were one of the worst teams in the clutch last season, but it was hardly surprising given the team is going through the growing pains of retooling.
The season was a 'B+' given the team's position heading into last season. The youth core flourished and displayed long-term potential after the departure of Demar DeRozan. The inconsistency, though infuriating, was understandable. More importantly, the value for Dejounte Murray skyrocketed.
The major talking point was around what direction the Spurs would go with. Perhaps there was enough in the team for the front office to go all-in on the free agents like Zach Lavine or try their luck on Deandre Ayton. The ultimate decision was to let go of the fanciful affinity to the postseason and embrace the rebuild. Dejounte Murray was traded to the Atlanta Hawks for first round picks and Danilo Gallinari who was waived soon after. The Spurs can now officially start implementing the formula that been the cornerstone of their franchise. They can now build naturally and draft a collection of players that fit the system they hope to embody in the future.
Points of note from the 2022 NBA Draft
On that note, two words – Jeremy Sochan. Not only is he an absolute inspiration for fans and aspirants in the UK and a beacon for the game because of the time he spent growing up here in England, he just so happens to have the most potential defensively of any other player from this year's draft. His reaction time and quickness will make him a seamless fit around some of the scorers the team has. Malaki Branham and Blake Wesley both offer tremendous upside on the offensive side with their shot-creating and shot-making ability. Overall, the team has drafted incredibly well with signs of the team's future vision clearly evident.
Assessing the offseason for the Spurs: A-
Let's start off with the thing I most disliked, the Spurs decided to let Lonnie Walker IV go, which is a personal blow as he was my favourite player in the squad before he left.
The franchise also signed Keldon Johnson on a four-year, $80 million contract extension. The move, though necessary, does pose apprehension as Johnson's inconsistency on both ends of the court has been worrisome. The spotlight will shine brighter upon him with Dejounte leaving. The acquisition of Isaiah Roby is a fascinating one, perhaps one that will pay off down the line as an important piece for a building side. All in all, the team picked the right lane and has stuck to it well with more moves potentially in the pipelines in that direction.
The Murray trade was by far the most notable offseason move for the Spurs. It might not be the most pleasant for fans who have been accustomed to success and winning, but rebuilding, especially considering the draft class coming up next year, is the way forward if the team intends to legitimately contend in the future.
I've marked it an 'A-', I am a firm believer in the fact that the Spurs won the Murray trade, considering that he will be up for an extension in two years. The Hawks have started the clock on their core delivering tangible progression. The Spurs have set themselves in motion to rebuild naturally.
The Spurs' aims for next season
The focus will fall entirely on the youth core led by Keldon Johnson as well as the new draft picks. There is also the case of Joshua Primo who was starting to get more opportunity near the tail end of last season but didn't quite make a tangible difference. The hope is that he will blossom in his sophomore year.
Most eyes will be on Johnson, though. The hope is for him to find different avenues to create scoring opportunities for himself and his team rather than trying to force a bucket. He has all the makings of a star. It comes down to the team's ability to mesh as a cohesive unit to generate an identity.
The objective for next season should be to let the team develop an identity and system all while staying in the lottery. It is the Victor Wembanyama sweepstakes after all.
What has you most excited about next season as a whole?
The talent pool in the league is astounding. Players coming into the NBA are more complete and cohesive than ever before. The amalgamation of prospects and veterans is always an exciting dynamic. There is also the case of return of players like Jamal Murray, Michael Porter Jr. and… Kawhi Leonard. There has never been more uncertainty as to whom will take home the Larry O'Brien trophy. Fun times ahead.
Three predictions for the season ahead...
- Malaki Branham will turn heads and become a consistent player in the rotation
- Devin Vassell will have a breakout season
- Victor Wembanyama? He modelled his game after Tim Duncan. Maybe it's meant to be...
Why should people watch the Spurs?
Perhaps winning won't be their thing, but the Spurs have always been fun to watch. They may not have the same ball movement as they once did, but there is an aura of uncertainty within the team and its players. If history is anything to go by for the Spurs, maybe uncertainty is necessary. Maybe it's a good thing. If you're from the UK, however, I repeat: Jeremy Sochan.
