The San Antonio Spurs are making waves this season, standing tall with the second-best record in the Western Conference. As the All-Star Break concludes, they find themselves at an impressive 38-16, outperforming expectations and boasting the third-best record in the entire NBA. Their 4-1 record against the Oklahoma City Thunder highlights their potential as a formidable contender.
With two All-Stars, Victor Wembanyama and De'Aaron Fox, leading the charge, the Spurs are poised for a strong playoff push. On paper, they're a solid bet for the Western Conference Finals, and maybe even a showdown with OKC for a shot at their first Finals appearance since 2014.
But here’s the catch: no one on this roster has playoff experience with the Spurs, and that lack of experience can be a hurdle. As the playoffs approach, the big question looms: Are the Spurs truly ready for the postseason spotlight?
If the playoffs started today, the Spurs could face the likes of the Phoenix Suns, Portland Trail Blazers, Golden State Warriors, or Los Angeles Clippers, depending on the play-in outcomes. All these teams, except Portland, have veterans who’ve been through the playoff grind.
We've seen other high-seeded teams falter in their first postseason with a new core, like the Rockets, Thunder, and Cavaliers in recent years. The Spurs might face a similar challenge, but there’s a twist. Wembanyama, although a playoff rookie in the NBA, has led teams to significant victories, including the French League Finals and an Olympic gold medal game.
Adding to their potential, Harrison Barnes brings championship experience, De'Aaron Fox offers veteran steadiness, and Stephon Castle has a college title under his belt. Still, the NBA playoffs are a different beast.
What can the Spurs do to cement their status as contenders before the playoffs? Aside from winning most of their remaining games, not much. Fans will be hoping for a favorable first-round matchup, setting the stage for a deeper run against seasoned teams like the Nuggets, Wolves, Rockets, or Lakers in the second round.
The journey ahead is challenging, but with their current momentum, the Spurs might just have what it takes to surprise everyone.