What has been the biggest advantage during the absence of Wembanyama and Castle?
Marilyn Dubinski: Aside from continuing to win, a significant benefit has been De’Aaron Fox stepping up as the primary ball handler and leader. This is something he didn’t get the chance to do last season, when he was alongside Chris Paul. When Wemby and Castle return, Fox will need to build chemistry with them, but his established role now should help alleviate some pressure and create more opportunities for Wemby, as opponents can’t simply focus all their defensive efforts on him without consequence.
Devon Birdsong: It’s great to see Fox proving his value to Spurs fans after some initial doubts. However, I want to highlight how well the team has been coming together lately. While it sounds cliché, chemistry can’t be purchased or forced. The players appear to be fitting well together and have been relying on each other, rising to challenges as needed. Wemby’s return will require some adjustment, but his absence has encouraged the team to play more cohesive basketball, which is crucial.
Jeje Gomez: The offense performing well was a nice surprise. Losing their two highest-usage players could have forced others to struggle outside their comfort zones, but that hasn’t occurred. Fox and Vassell seemed at ease as leading scorers, the bench contributed significantly, and it was refreshing to see a more egalitarian offense. When everyone is back, the Spurs will revert to a Wemby-centered approach, but it’s reassuring to know they can succeed with other styles as well.
J.R. Wilco: The most significant upside is how the team has shown they can score effectively without Wemby. While their defensive performance has suffered in his absence, the team’s offensive capability has relieved Wemby of the overwhelming pressure to perform at an elite level constantly. This means teams won’t just stack their defenses against Wemby; they will need to adapt, similar to how Golden State did when teams focused heavily on Curry.
Which players are likely to see a decrease in minutes or roles when the Spurs are fully healthy?
Dubinski: Julian Champagnie and Luke Kornet are likely to return to the bench, which will reduce their minutes. The biggest concern appears to be Jeremy Sochan, who has primarily played backup center with Kornet starting. As a fan of Sochan, I’m increasingly worried about his future on the team if he can’t secure a consistent role as a backup forward alongside Kornet.
Birdsong: Sochan seems most at risk of losing minutes, given his current playing time. It will be challenging for him to earn more minutes without improved offensive performance. The Spurs’ talented guard trio in Castle, Fox, and Harper limits Sochan’s opportunities unless they are in specific situations. His odd season raises questions about his fit on the team.
Gomez: Sochan’s struggles could leave him entirely out of the rotation when everyone returns. Among those playing high minutes, Devin Vassell might be the most affected. His stats have dipped when sharing the floor with Stephon Castle, as Vassell has scored less and operated in more of a role player’s capacity. While the team performs well with those two on the court, Vassell’s individual numbers may decline as his role shifts.
