San Antonio Spurs
The 2024-25 San Antonio Spurs can be defined by a 12-win improvement while also landing the No. 2 pick in the draft.
What did we learn?
The Spurs are a work in progress on the right trajectory.
Year 2 Wemby was once again an imposing alien.
After his first 95 games, Wemby had more 3s than Steph and more blocks than Shaq at the beginning of their respective careers. A true alien with the powers to rip the fabric of the game.
It’s hard not to mention that he was a bit too far away from the basket too often, though.
But to have this kind of insane 3-point range this early with the otherworldly rim protection and all the blocks… His presence on the court alone is a perpetual cloud of fear hanging over the opposition.
The blood clot issue is scary and concerning. Not Wemby… He was shut down after his first All-Star game to eventually undergo successful surgery on deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder.
Get well soon Wemby and get well soon Pop! After a stroke in November before a game, Pop did not coach the rest of the season. We never got used to not seeing him on the Spurs sideline for the first time in three decades.
But we will have to get used to it now as Pop has stepped down as head coach to be the full-time president of basketball operations. And only as Pop could put it: he is now El Jefe.
This Spurs team still played the Pop way this season. One of the top teams in assist percentage, forever and always.
Pop has instilled a culture that will continue to live on in the most meaningful and honorable way.
The rebuild and reload has been under way in San Antonio for a few years now. A 12-win improvement is always a step in the right direction.
And with some more lottery luck landing them the No. 2 pick in the draft, the Spurs could be gearing up to return as the White Walkers of the NBA.
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Additional Notes
The Spurs had not one, not two, but three NBA Iron Men who played all 82 games in Chris Paul, Harrison Barnes and Julian Champagnie.
Stephon Castle gave them back-to-back rookies of the year. Castle is explosive and vigilant in his attack, very capable of both power dunking and setting up the offense. He can run the point and play off the ball at the 2.
Uncharacteristically, the Spurs brought in Fox at the trade deadline, cashing in on the Kings’ desperation. Although we really didn’t get to see too much of Fox and Wemby together, it was the right kind of buy-low trade to see what kind of inside-outside duo you have there.
Devin Vassell was still a strong wing defender but injuries did slow his progression. Speaking of strong defenders, Sochan and his Rodman-like hair and Rodman-like game continued to be a wide-rangey versatile defender.
The longest-tenured Spur, Keldon Johnson was previously one of the main usage guys here, now reduced to a role off the bench. But Johnson could still thrive on occasion and be the first one to let you know about it, playing loud and proud to rep the Silver and Black.
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Did our preseason Over/Under prediction hit?
Wemby + Pop + CP3 = Over 35.5 wins.
Spurs 2024-25 record: (34-48)
It did not. But if Wemby hadn’t been shut down after All-Star, this would have hit.
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What’s Next?
The Spurs have the No. 2 pick in the draft, widely believed to be Dylan Harper, and they also have the No. 14 pick from Atlanta. Or will they make a big move to bring in a win-now piece? Pairing up The Alien and The Freak would be… something extraordinary.
Regardless, finding some additional rim protection behind Wemby would be ideal.
Head coach Mitch Johnson will have the offseason and training camp to prepare, knowing that he will be the head honcho from Day 1, and with no better mentor to help him.
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Favorite Spurs Highlight of the 2024-25 Season:
Absolutely absurd.
Black Falcon Revenge.
