TNT (DR) / San Antonio Spurs (DR)
By Editorial | Sport
The Spurs have established themselves as one of the strongest teams in the West, capable of bringing down the reigning champion repeatedly. However, at the heart of this collective success, one fact stands out: the team displays a slightly better record in matches played without Victor Wembanyama. A reality which fuels the debate without calling into question the overall trajectory.
Charles Barkley was one of the first to highlight this unexpected element. The former MVP insisted on San Antonio’s ability to remain competitive despite the absence of its star pivot, injured in the calf and forced to miss twelve games this season. “The interesting thing about Spurs is that they have a better record without Wemby than with him. It’s very close, but they’re at something like nine wins and three losses without him.”he observed on ESPN.
This observation does not mean that Wembanyama is dispensable, far from it. Rather, he highlights the depth and collective maturity developed around him. In his absence, the team did not panic. She adjusted her identity, accelerated the game and redistributed offensive responsibilities, without losing her effectiveness.
A collective force beyond the star
During this pivotal period, the guard duo De’Aaron Fox and Devin Vassell took on an extra dimension. Fox carried the attack with authority, averaging over 25 points and 6 assists, while Vassell established himself as a constant outside threat. Their ability to create between the lines and punish from mid-distance has often posed insoluble problems for opposing defenses.
This reading is shared by Kenny Smith, who sees the domination against Oklahoma City as a question of styles and matchups more than simple individual presence. “When a team has your number, they have your number. Facing their circle protectors, the Spurs have players capable of scoring between two, of sneaking into spaces”he analyzed, emphasizing the tactical intelligence of the Texan group.
On the pitch, this serenity is also felt in the players’ speeches. De’Aaron Fox, author of 29 points in the Christmas victory, recalled that the team refuses to be carried away by the external narrative. “It all starts with focusing on ourselves. It doesn’t matter who the opponent is. We apply our game plan, we try to make life difficult for their stars, and we continue to play our basketball”he explained.
This pragmatism illustrates the transformation underway in San Antonio. Wembanyama obviously remains a pillar of the project, a determining factor on both sides of the field. But the franchise shows that it no longer depends exclusively on him to win. After years of rebuilding and patience, the Spurs seem to have found a rare balance: a superstar capable of turning a match around, and a collective strong enough to stand up when she is not there.
