Despite the last two games, the San Antonio Spurs are off to one of their most successful seasons in recent memory. The Silver and Black are 5-2 heading into a back-to-back against the Houston Rockets
and New Orleans Pelicans. Through seven games, they’ve at times looked like a team ready to compete for the playoffs, and at others a team that will fight to get into the play-in tournament. Although a small sample size, some of the team’s strengths and weaknesses have become clear.
The Spurs are in the top 5 in two-point field goal percentage, shooting 58.7% from inside the arc. Victor Wembanyama, Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper have been great at finishing inside the paint. For the most part, the Spurs have owned the interior this year. That’s evident in their defense as well. The Spurs are holding teams to 48.5% shooting from 2-point range, 3rd in the NBA. While their pace isn’t setting the world on fire, their offense seems to be at its best when it’s creating turnovers defensively and getting out in transition.
On the flip side, the Spurs have struggled to guard the three-point line, allowing teams to shoot 38.4% from deep. Meanwhile, San Antonio is only shooting 35.8% from three this season. That lack of spacing has bogged down their half-court offense and hampered Wembanyama in the last two games. Teams are sending physical double teams at Wemby before he even catches the ball, and the rest of the Silver and Black haven’t capitalized on the openings this defensive scheme creates.
Looming over all of the on-court issues are the Spurs’ injuries. De’Aaron Fox has yet to suit up. Luke Kornet has missed significant time. San Antonio just got Jeremy Sochan, Kelly Olynyk, and Lindy Waters III back. Harper will miss a few weeks with a calf injury. Perhaps the biggest weakness this team has is its availability.
What do you think? What are the Spurs’ biggest strengths and weaknesses? Vote in the poll below and sound off in the comments below.
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