The San Antonio Spurs may have come up short in the NBA Cup against the New York Knicks, but don’t let the final score fool you - this team is arriving, and fast. If you zoom out from that single loss and take a look at the broader picture, it’s clear: the Spurs are ahead of schedule, and the rest of the league is starting to feel it.
At 18-7 and sitting fourth in the Western Conference, San Antonio has managed to put together a strong start despite dealing with injuries to key players like Victor Wembanyama, Dylan Harper, De’Aaron Fox, and Stephon Castle. That’s a testament not only to the depth of this roster but to the system and culture that’s quietly been building in the Alamo City.
And this isn’t just a case of racking up wins against the bottom half of the league. The Spurs have already notched victories over the Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, Denver Nuggets, and Oklahoma City Thunder - the very teams they’re jockeying with at the top of the standings. That’s not just impressive; it’s a statement.
So, is it too early to talk about the Spurs as legitimate contenders in the West? Not anymore.
Kendrick Perkins said it loud and clear after the Spurs’ NBA Cup loss to the Knicks: “They didn’t deliver in great fashion because they didn’t get the win, but they delivered in good fashion, enough to say that the Spurs are legit title contenders.” And while Perkins is known for turning up the volume, this time, he might be onto something.
Let’s start with Wembanyama. The 7-foot-4 unicorn is already playing like a top-10 player in the league.
He’s not just blocking shots and stretching the floor - he’s anchoring both ends of the court with a poise that belies his age. He’s the kind of talent that can tilt a franchise’s trajectory overnight.
But the Spurs didn’t stop at Wemby.
Adding De’Aaron Fox gave San Antonio a proven veteran with playoff experience and a dynamic scoring punch. Fox has been lights-out from deep this season, and his ability to create off the dribble has taken pressure off Wembanyama while giving the Spurs a legitimate one-two punch.
Then there’s the youth movement. Dylan Harper and Stephon Castle, two rookies with sky-high ceilings, are already making meaningful contributions.
They’re not just surviving NBA minutes - they’re thriving in them. That kind of early development is rare, and it’s a big reason why San Antonio’s future looks so bright.
But what really makes this team dangerous is the supporting cast. Keldon Johnson, Devin Vassell, Julian Champagnie, Luke Kornet - these are players who’ve embraced their roles and are flourishing in them.
Some of these guys were asked to carry much heavier loads during the Spurs’ rebuilding years. Now, they’re perfectly slotted into roles that maximize their strengths without overextending them.
It’s a classic case of the right pieces falling into the right places. Even during the lean years, San Antonio never really had a roster full of subpar talent.
Players like Dejounte Murray, Jakob Poeltl, and Derrick White were solid, but when they were the focal points, the ceiling was limited. Now, the Spurs have built a roster where the stars can shine and the role players can thrive - and that’s a recipe for sustained success.
So yes, the Spurs lost the NBA Cup. But what they gained - national respect, a growing sense of identity, and a clear path forward - might prove far more valuable.
This isn’t just a team with potential. This is a team that’s starting to realize it.
And if they keep playing like this, they won’t just be ahead of schedule - they’ll be in the thick of the title race sooner than anyone expected.