What a difference a year makes. At this point in the season last year the Spurs were in the midst of their franchise setting 22-game losing streak. That seems like eons ago.
Surprisingly, in VDubs sophomore campaign, at 11-9 the Spurs are one of the hottest teams in the league going 7-3 in their last 10 games. While still maintaining their hold on the 10th and final play-in spot for playoff positioning , the Silver and Black are just one game behind the Lakers in the 6th spot and only four games behind the Thunder at the top of the Western Conference.
The Spurs are also in contention for this year’s NBA Cup as they lead Group B with a 2-1 record going into the final week of group play before the knockout round. The reason for the turnaround? There are a plethora.
Boys to Men
This iteration of the Spurs are no longer boys amongst men. Last year’s team was the youngest in the league with OKC and it showed. The team addressed this glaring hole and acquired veterans Chris Paul and Harrison Barnes. The move has proven invaluable, especially in the absence of Coach Popovich who is still recovering from a stroke.
In his 19th season at age 39, Paul has taken the reigns of leadership both on and off the court. Where at times last year the squad looked like a rudderless ship in the abyss, Paul has provided steady guidance to the burgeoning Spurs. He is currently 7th in the league in assists with 8.3.
Defense Wins Championships
There are a few defensive categories that highlight the Spurs turnaround from just a season ago. The Spurs are 8th in points allowed this season allowing only 110 points per game. Compare that to last season in which the Silver and Black were near the bottom at 24th giving away 119 points per game.
Opponents are shooting only 45.7% from the field and only 35% from beyond the arc against the Spurs, compared to 49% and 37% respectively from a season ago. Overall the Spurs defensive rating is 112.2 which ranks 12th in the Association. Last year the team was 21st with a defensive rating of 115.6
Changing of the Guard
We’re all so used to seeing the silver headed, truth speaking, stud we know as Pop on the sidelines. Popovich has been a member of the Spurs organization since 1994, as president of basketball operations and general manager before taking over as coach of the Spurs in 1996. Popovich is the longest tenured active coach in the NBA as well as all other major sports leagues in the United States.
Over the past 5 seasons however the Spurs are 143-246 and hadn’t been the playoffs since the 2018-19 season.
That being said it was high time for a change at the top. I know, I know, it’s blasphemous to speak of not having Pop as the shot caller however the league has changed. To take a quote from New Jack City, the Spurs were in need of a New Jack coach to take on a New Jack League. Interim coach Mitch Johnson appears to be that New Jack coach.
Since taking the helm, Coach Mitch Johnson is 9-6 and has the Spurs playing at a different level and competing. The players seem to have responded to his leadership in a positive way and almost appear to be playing a lot freer and not afraid to make mistakes.
Although we are only a quarter of the way through the season, the Spurs a poised and positioned to finish the season strong. Time will tell but oh what a difference a year makes.
Upcoming Games:
Thu , Dec, 5 vs (11)Chicago (8-13) 7pm
Fri, Dec 6 vs (12)Sacramento (9-12) 7pm
Sun, Dec 8 vs (15)New Orleans (4–17) 6pm
