The San Antonio Spurs have accomplished their rebuild, and are able to compete within the West this season. With Victor Wembanyama able to take his leap into superstardom, the probabilities for the Spurs over the following few seasons are infinite.
San Antonio has surrounded Wemby with a number of dynamic backcourt expertise. The crew has drafted guards within the lottery in back-to-back drafts: Stephon Citadel and Dylan Harper. Citadel was the NBA’s Rookie of the 12 months final season, and Harper has the potential to be among the finest guards within the league.
The Spurs even have some veteran expertise, as they traded for De’Aaron Fox previous to final season’s commerce deadline and have Devin Vassell in tow as nicely. That’s 4 starting-level guards that San Antonio has, resulting in hypothesis about who will probably be beginning when the season begins. Nonetheless, we are able to rule out one ridiculous chance.
Stephon Citadel should not come off the bench for the Spurs
Citadel confirmed off his versatility and freakish athleticism in his stellar rookie season, however performed his finest basketball after the All-Star break. Citadel averaged 18 factors per sport, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists.
He was relentless at attacking the basket, and appeared comfy creating his personal shot. He additionally operated properly as a ground basic, as he had ten video games with six or extra assists post-All-Star break.
Citadel additionally confirmed off his elite defensive chops. He is superb at stopping the point-of-attack, and is relentless on the ball. Due to his larger body at 6’6”, and almost 220 kilos, he can guard a number of positions. He can stick with fast ball handlers, and guard stronger forwards.
Citadel can even play each guard spots, however with Fox and Harper prone to deal with level guard duties this season, he’ll discover himself enjoying a number of taking pictures guard.
Citadel’s two-way capacity is precisely why he should begin for the Spurs
Fox, Harper, and Vassell might all be higher scorers than Citadel, however neither of them supply the defensive capacity that he has. It will take advantage of sense for San Antonio to begin Fox, and Citadel to start the season, with Harper, and Vassell coming off the bench.
In my view, the Spurs’ backcourt of the long run is Citadel and Harper. Signing Fox to that max extension wasn’t the neatest factor, particularly contemplating the crew’s want for a flexible small ahead. Nonetheless, it appears to be like like San Antonio will roll into the season with these 4 guards.
New head coach Mitch Johnson already has large footwear to fill by following Gregg Popovich, one of many biggest coaches in NBA historical past. Johnson’s first transfer as head man ought to be sliding Citadel into his beginning 5. It makes probably the most sense basketball-wise, and can maximize the crew’s potential round Wembanyama.
