The Spurs have exceeded fan and pundit expectations this year. Their rise has been multifaceted. De’Aaron Fox’s selflessness paired with his ability to augment his role based the need at an exact moment has allowed players around him to grow. But as seen when both Stephon Castle and Victor Wembanyama sat out last Wednesday, Fox can come out of the gate at full force and take control of the hardwood.
Victor Wembanyama took the leap many anticipated. As the next face of the NBA, he brings poise, savvy
and a unique swagger to the role while seeming to break some NBA rule almost nightly.
As the reigning NBA Rookie of the Year, Stephon Castle elevated his game and is now developing into a premiere defender with physicality capability to interrupt some of the game’s leading ball-handlers.
And let me just say — Julian Champagnie is the real deal! He now owns the Spurs record for three-pointers made in a season. At the start of the season, he filled in as a starter for positions 1-4. Now, he’s earned that starting spot. With his defensive prowess, rebounding capabilities, catch-and-shoot threes, and his recently unveiled flair for the dunk, Champagnie, he’s a bonafide threat no matter where is on the court. Oh, and for those counting, he has the second most starts this year behind De’Aaron Fox. Let that sink in.
Devin Vassell, the second longest tenured member of the Spurs roster, has one of the purest midrange games out there. His ability to move without the ball and nail threes on the move makes him hard to defend. He’s currently hitting at 38.4% and with all the attention Wemby gets, he’s bound to see more wide open threes in the playoffs.
Dylan Harper is everything the Spurs could have hoped for and then some. The rookie hit the court NBA ready, shows no fear when slashing into the paint, and has a gift for breaking defenders ankles at the rim. As Carter Bryant said the other night, on a different team Harper is a starter and a contender for Rookie of the the Year.
And let’s just say, if Keldon Johnson is not the 2026 Sixth Man of the Year, there is no justice in this world. Is there another player who gracefull bullies his way to the rim? KJ has an understanding of his strengths and utilizies them like no other player. And that’s on the court. He is the heart and soul of the Spurs, through and through.
What do all seven of those players have in common? They are all averaging double-digit scoring.
Harrison Barnes is averaging 9.9 points per game.
If he scores 17 points tonight, he will also average double-digits.
And that would be the first time in NBA history that eight players have all averaged 10 or more points per game each.
That is the one of the purest stats demonstrating the Spurs depth. It’s the very chemistry behind 62 (possibly 63) wins. The sum of the parts exceeds any one man’s greatness. It is a testament to their unity as a team and their dedication to winning a title. Not next year, but right now.
And Barnes, as much as anyone on the team, is proof positive of that motivation.
An NBA champion who brought a veteran presence to the Spurs, Barnes had been a stater for over a decade. He selflessly relinquished the position to Champagnie and has since been helping to solidify the bench, which will be essential for a deep playoff run.
Whether Barnes scores the 17 tonight or not is inconsequential to the Spurs ability to win a title.
Setting an NBA record, in a league obsessed with records, is a great way to end the regular season.
But the Spurs are no longer about the regular season. They want 16 more wins. We all want 16 more wins. And it is now time to cheer them on toward victory.
Fan appreciation tonight.
Go Spurs Go!
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