Why the Spurs are deeper than you think

Why the Spurs Are Deeper Than You Think

The San Antonio Spurs' early success is genuine and not a coincidence. They remain one of only three undefeated teams and have achieved a franchise-best five-game winning streak to start the season.

Despite missing key rotation players like All-Star De’Aaron Fox and backup big men Kelly Olynyk and Luke Kornet, the Spurs continue to dominate. Their average winning margin is 14.4 points, the highest in the NBA so far, although two of those wins came against teams yet to secure a victory — the Brooklyn Nets and New Orleans Pelicans.

Notable Opponents and Playing Style

The most challenging opponent faced has been the Miami Heat, currently with a 3-2 record. Interestingly, the Spurs play at the fourth-slowest pace in the league but rank first in fastbreak points. This indicates they choose moments carefully to attack in transition, exploiting opponents' weak defensive positioning rather than pushing the pace early.

Despite the Heat leading in both pace and fastbreak categories, the Spurs outperformed them in these areas during a recent six-point victory.

Impact of Missing Players

If De’Aaron Fox were available, the team would likely operate at a quicker tempo, leveraging his dynamic abilities in open space. Nevertheless, the Spurs have excelled without him, demonstrating strong adaptability.

“There’s a bit of a trade-off with him out, too: Castle is a superior defender, and hounding rivals on the perimeter is a big reason they have the second-rated defensive rating.”

Defensive Strength

Castle's defensive prowess helps compensate for Fox's absence, contributing significantly to the Spurs’ high defensive ranking as the second-best defense in the league.

Author’s Summary: The Spurs’ impressive start reflects deeper team strength and versatility, thriving despite key absences through strategic offense and strong defense.

Pounding The Rock — 2025-11-02