The San Antonio Spurs are the least-experienced team still standing in the NBA playoffs, but they've been carrying themselves like they have a roster full of seasoned veterans.
All season long, the San Antonio Spurs have had their fair share of doubters. It didn't seem to matter that Victor Wembanyama broke out as the best player in the world, or that they have plenty of depth and young, hungry players.
Instead, the media and some detractors have only been able to focus on their lack of postseason experience. Only Luke Kornet, De'Aaron Fox, and Harrison Barnes have played meaningful playoff minutes, and some talking heads thought that Wembanyama and the rest of the young core would shy away when the lights were at their brightest.
Instead, the Spurs have responded, risen to the occasion, and bounced back from any adversity they may have faced.
How Spurs Carry Themselves Like Veterans
Two words best describe the young core: focused and responsive.
When Scoot Henderson got in Dylan Harper's face in Game 3 of their first-round series, Harper responded by putting the team on his back and recording a career-high. When Victor Wembanyama went down with an injury in the first round, the Spurs rattled off two double-digit comebacks.
The national media is starting to notice.
"One thing I will say about the Spurs, and we are still very early in the postseason, but every time San Antonio has faced a bit of a challenge...they've responded," said Brian Windhorst on the Hoop Collective Podcast. "They bounced back with two come-from-behind wins in Portland, they lost a tough emotional game to Minnesota, then came back. And actually, you know, one of the most impressive things about this win to me, the blowout that they had of the Wolves in Game 2, was that they were up like 24 at the half. And then they pushed the lead to like 37, like right out of the gate, which shows a team that is focused."
In the first round and in Game 1 against the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Spurs mounted (or at least tried to mount) massive comebacks. In Game 2, which the Spurs won 133-95, no such effort was required.
"Yeah, this was no come-from-behind," added Tim MacMahon, "this was just an absolute booty-whopping."
"So the Spurs are passing tests," Windhorst summed up. "They'll get bigger ones, but they're passing tests right now."
The Spurs have the talent to continue to stay alive in the postseason, and despite their limited experience, the mindset is right where it needs to be, as well.