It’s a tiny sample size of just four games, and they don’t exactly have the strongest strength of schedule yet, but the Spurs are already boasting the best defense in the NBA. They have the top defensive
rating at +15.6, as well as leading he league in opponent points per game, blocks, rebounds and the second best opponent FG%.
Sure, it’s easy to entirely credit should-be-DPOY-for-the-rest-of-his-career Victor Webmanyama for those staggering numbers, and he does deserve credit for a whole lot of it (including 60% of the blocks), but as the last couple of seasons showed, it takes more than just one defensive stalwart to make everything work. It takes a system that everyone buys into and pieces around that star to make it all work.
Enter Sean Sweeney, arguably the best defensive mind in the NBA that the Spurs pried away from Jason Kidd and the Dallas Mavericks. Over the course of one offseason, the Spurs gone from a middling defense with Wemby on the floor (and terrible without him) to one of the top defenses in the league with roughly the same roster. With long guards who help extend hand-offs and funnel players towards Wemby, to much improved rotation and communication, the Spurs defense — at least so far — is hearkening back to the old days when they won championships, and even in today’s offense-first game, it’s is still just as important if you want to win.
Of course, the next question is if this is sustainable, and while health (especially for Wemby) will be a big indicator, the system built by Sweeney and the way it’s being executed suggests it is. For a deeper dive, check out defensive guru Mike Jagacki’s breakdown of the Spurs’ defense here or below, and if you’re a big fan of defensive breakdowns, give him a follow on YouTube or X at @Mike_Jagacki.
