NBA scouts are split on the Spurs’ season projection.
SAN ANTONIO — The San Antonio Spurs started the new season on a hot streak, going 5-0 and ranking among the best teams in the league statistically.
San Antonio is in the top 10 in Net Rating, Defensive Rating, field goal percentage, and fast break points.
In addition, the Spurs are a top-10 team in the West by record, which should make them a strong candidate to finish in the top four once the regular season is over.
However, NBA scouts are split on San Antonio’s season outlook and whether they will be a top-four West squad.
One East scout picked the Spurs essentially because Victor Wembanyama can carry the team to a No. 4 seed.
“I’ll take the Spurs, because Wemby is just that good,” an East scout said via TSN.
However, a West scout (wonder if there was any bias here) isn’t sold on San Antonio, doubting if Wemby’s body can hold up and finish the season, and projects the Spurs falling off.
“I’d bet on the Spurs falling off,” a West scout said. “I’d be shocked if Victor plays 82 games. His body just isn’t built for that.”
Many have the Thunder, Nuggets, and Rockets as the West’s best three, leaving the No. 4 spot open.
This leaves the Lakers, Timberwolves, Warriors, and Spurs possibly chasing the No. 4 spot when playoff positioning comes around.
Of course, being healthy and the team clicking at the right time are huge factors, but the Spurs do have doubters.
“Another West executive rattled off those six teams and added that, while they weren’t convinced the Lakers or Spurs would remain in the top four, it was clear that both had surpassed the LA Clippers and Golden State Warriors in the race to stay above the play-in line (top six) out West,” shared TSN.
Losing two straight home games to the Warriors did not help the Spurs’ cause, but the season is still very young, and there is a lot of basketball to be played.
But keep in mind the Spurs are still incorporating De’Aaron Fox and giving him time to adjust after being away from the court for so long, and the team is still without rookie sensation Dylan Harper.