San Antonio Spurs 2024 Season Preview: Veterans, Rising Stars, and Playoff Hopes
The 2024 NBA season is finally upon us. Coming off back-to-back 22-60 seasons, the Silver and Black look poised to actually contend for a playoff spot this year.
The Spurs are 2-1 this preseason with victories over the Orlando Magic and Utah Jazz with the sole loss coming to the Oklahoma City Thunder. At first glance the Spurs seem to have addressed their most significant problem over the last two seasons….youth. The Spurs were the youngest team in the league last year and quite honestly it showed. The bright guys in the front office mitigated that factor by adding veterans Chris Paul and Harrison Barnes to the roster.
Veterans Chris Paul and Harrison Barnes Bring Much-Needed Experience
At age 39, Paul should provide a steady hand on the court and be a bridge between an aging Popovich and a still young roster. Need I remind readers that Chris Paul is the former Mayor of “Lob City” out in Los Angeles, which should be music to VDubs ears.
At 6’8 and in his 12th season, Harrison Barnes is a Swiss Army knife on the court being able to guard multiple positions on defense while also being able to play both inside and outside offensively.
VDubs’ Sophomore Year and the Excitement Around Stephon Castle
Aside from the excitement of witnessing VDubs sophomore season the player that in my opinion has the biggest upside is first round draft pick Stephon Castle. In Castle the Spurs get a more refined version of Kawhi Leonard. Coming into his rookie campaign fresh off an NCAA championship with UCONN, Castle is league ready and should make an immediate impact for the Silver and Black.
Optimistic Predictions: Can the Spurs Reach 40 Wins This Season?
The Spurs have two games remaining in the preseason as they whittle down their roster to 15 players before the regular season opens on October 22nd.
I might be going out on a limb here (the Spurs left me high and dry on my preseason prediction last year of 35-47) but I believe the Spurs will win 40 games and contend for the 9-10 spot in the play-in tournament for a playoff spot.
Time will tell but one thing I can say with certainty; the prospects for success are much better than last season’s dud.
