The Spurs began their season last night with a blowout win at home vs. the Orlando Magic. Feels good to say that, doesn’t it?
Basketball is back, and for the first time since, oh I don’t know probably 1986 or something, the Spurs are trotting out a roster full of players with a combined zero All-Star games between ‘em.
I don’t say that to degrade the quality of this roster, but to note how uncharted this territory is for the organization and its fans.
All this to say, it’s going to be interesting and hard to predict what happens next but I wrote the word “predictions” in this headline so I guess I’m committed to doing it.1
Keldon Johnson leads the team in scoring
I think Dejounte Murray is going to be forced to become a better facilitator this year, and Johnson will be the primary beneficiary. Hopefully Murray establishes himself as a legit scorer himself, and if he does, I believe that’ll open up things even further for Keldon. Alamo Lob City, anyone?
Doug McDermott finishes in the top-3 at the 3-pt shooting contest at All-Star Weekend
My plan (which may or may not influence the Spurs’ plan) is for McDermott to let it rip this season. I mean, why not right? There’s no established pecking order on this offense so he’s got as good a chance as anyone of getting off 10+ shots a game. It can’t be that far fetched to see him represent San Antonio at All-Star Weekend as a 3-pt specialist if the Spurs #LetDougCook.
Thad Young remains a Spur after the trade deadline
Yeah, yeah, look I don’t like this one either. Nothing against Young, of course. Honestly the main reason I’m writing this is in hopes that I reverse jinx the situation and San Antonio trades Young for Ben Simmons before Thanksgiving.
You’re welcome! - or - I’m terribly sorry, depending on your opinion of Simmons.
San Antonio flirts with the Play-In tournament
I don’t feel super confident about anyone in the 6-10 range of the Western Conference, so if the Spurs really have something with the young core, they could definitely tease us into thinking there will be postseason ball at the AT&T Center. However, I think they’ll ultimately finish 12th in the standings.
Regular season record: 34-48, Pop will end the season No. 1 in all-time wins. It’ll feel nice to see that happen. It’ll provide something worth celebrating, even if the playoff drought continues. We’re gonna have to learn to savor the small things for a few years, but if things break right for this organization, it’ll be well worth the wait.
Thanks for reading, please be kind to each other out there.
Also FWIW I wrote this before the Magic game so other than mentioning it happened and SA won, the rest of my thoughts here are pre-season