Why the Spurs are deeper than you think

Why the Spurs Are Deeper Than You Think

The San Antonio Spurs' early success is no accident. They remain one of only three undefeated teams in the league and boast 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 perform impressively.

The team is winning by an average margin of 14.4 points per game, the highest in the NBA. However, two of those wins came against the Brooklyn Nets and New Orleans Pelicans, both still seeking their first victories. The toughest competition so far has been the Miami Heat, who hold a 3-2 record.

Strategic Play and Pace

The Spurs rank fourth-slowest in game pace but lead the league in fastbreak points. This suggests they excel at carefully choosing moments to attack in transition, capitalizing on opponents' weak defenses rather than pushing early offense constantly. Although the Heat rank first and second in these categories, the Spurs outperformed them in both areas during a recent six-point victory.

Impact of Missing Players

With De’Aaron Fox, the Spurs would likely play at a faster pace given his dynamic ability in open space. Nevertheless, the team has shown it can maintain a high level of play without him. There is also a defensive benefit to Fox’s absence: Castle, who replaces him, is a superior defender and aggressively pressures opponents on the perimeter, contributing to the Spurs’ position as the team with the second-best defensive rating.

"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."

Summary: The Spurs’ strong start reflects the depth and adaptability of their roster, balancing offensive efficiency and defensive intensity even without key players.

Pounding The Rock — 2025-11-02