The San Antonio Spurs are one of the best teams in the NBA, but did they get too hot too early? One star's play will determine just how far they can go in the postseason.
The San Antonio Spurs are Victor Wembanyama's team, and he has led them to the second-best record in the Western Conference.
However, he isn't the only star on the roster. Stephon Castle has been elite, especially on defense. Keldon Johnson will be a finalist for Sixth Man of the Year. Julian Champagnie and Dylan Harper have both stepped up, too.
However, the Spurs' recent 11-game winning streak and run of dominance can be attributed, partly at least, to Devin Vassell. The sixth-year guard has played a smaller role than in seasons past, although he has found his footing, especially as of late.
San Antonio Spurs Must Rely on Devin Vassell
Over his six-year career, Vassell has averaged 14.2 points on 37.1% shooting from deep.
In his first 34 games of the season, he shot 37.1% from 3-point land and averaged 14.6 points, nearly exactly in line with his career averages. In the last 13 contests, however, the Spurs are 11-2, Vassell has returned to the starting lineup after recovering from injury, and he is shooting a remarkabvle 41.3% from deep.
His scoring output has remained mostly the same, although he has replaced Harrison Barnes as the most reliable 3-point shooter on the team. Unlike Julian Champagnie, who is also a sniper, Vassell can handle the ball, get to his spot, and rise up from midrange.
Outside of De'Aaron Fox, he is perhaps the best individual creator on the team, not needing any help from his teammates to score. Even though the Spurs are dominated by Wembanyama, having a wing who can take over for a single possession and get a good shot off can't be overstated, and the Spurs will need him to stay hot if they want to make a deep playoff run, possibly even making the Finals.
During the Spurs' lean years, Vassell and Keldon Johnson were touted as possible faces of the franchise moving forward. It has since been revealed that they are not centerpieces, but they are both elite role-players who can shoulder some of the burdens usually carried by superstars.
While the Spurs' season hopes will live and die with Wembanyama and Fox, Vassell's spacing and shot-creation will prove to be just as important as San Antonio prepares for their playoff push.
