Open Thread: Takeaways from the Spurs third stint in Austin
Yesterday at 07:00 AM
A split series reveals the chasm between what is and what could be
In what amounts to a modified version of Spurs home games during the annual Rodeo Road Trip, the Silver & Black split their two games in the state capital on Thursday and Friday.
Their overall record in Austin is 3-3. But more importantly than the outcome is the frenzy of fans showing support 80 miles away.
Avery Johnson joined Jacob Tobey and Sean Elliott on Friday. He made an observation that while on Thursday there was a smattering of Kevin Durant jerseys in the crowd, Friday's match up the venue was visibly more Spurs-centric. Aptly so as KD shined as a member of the Texas Longhorns basketball program. He's also one of the greatest and most celebrated players of the modern NBA.
The addition of Johnson to the telecast was a nice touch. The Little General has a wealth of knowledge, and not just from his time in San Antonio. As a college coach he's seen modern players while they were developing. He mentioned that his son and Cade Cunningham played in the same league as youngsters. Imagine knowing a future #1 draft pick while he was in middle school and witnessing his growth.
On the court, CP3 surpassed Jason Kidd in all-time assists. This is the second time this season that Chris Paul has become second all-time in a category. Earlier this year, he advanced in steals, again notching himself past Kidd. Both were accomplished while Paul was donning a Spurs jersey.
The first game without Victor Wembanyama could have been mired in self-pity Instead, the team showed grit and determination, pulling off a win against the Phoenix Suns, a team designed specifically to win a title in the immediate future. Friday night's game revealed the reality that missing a generational player will take some adjustment.
If there is any silver lining to the immense cloud of Victor Wembanyama's injury, it lies in the team continuing to develop and build their individual contributions while strengthening the bond with De'Aaron Fox at the helm. Every member of the team has an opportunity to elevate their game, making the Spurs a more formidable contender when Wemby does return.
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