Before Minnesota, the outlets covering the Spurs focused on Wembanyama's shot diet, how good a 3-2 team really is and the backup center job. Some of those arguments hold up against the numbers, and one claims more than five games can show.
Is Wembanyama really living on lobs now?
Paul Garcia wrote on his Substack that 54% of Wembanyama's paint points have come from lobs, up from 27% last season. Air Alamo described a new rule for where he gets his points. The results back the change: 25.0 points and 11.4 rebounds a game, with 29 against Sacramento and 36 at Utah. He is shooting 27.6% from deep, which is a good reason to play closer to the rim.
Is the 3-2 start better or worse than it looks?
It's some of both. Air Alamo's Ty Small called the two-way attack impressive. Garcia argued that without the 130-103 win over Sacramento, the Spurs rank near 10th on defense and closer to 17th or 18th on offense. He also reported that the free-throw rate fell from the top 10 to the bottom 10, partly because Castle is taking more threes. The 6.0 net rating is real, and so is how much of it comes from one blowout.
Is Fox carrying a starting group that has slipped?
Air Alamo's Jahlil Williams wrote that Fox's career-best efficiency is covering for three starters who have slipped. Fox's 38.9% from three and 7.0 assists a night support the first half of that. The rest depends on who counts as a starter, since no report has named a starting five. Vassell's 12.6 points and Keldon Johnson's 20.0% from three are the soft spots. Castle's 17.4 points are not.
Should Kornet be worried about Tarris Reed Jr.?
Air Alamo's Cal Durrett wrote that Kornet should already feel pressure from Reed. Williams argued that Kornet needs Harper back on the bench. Kornet is giving the team 2.4 points and 3.6 rebounds in 14.7 minutes a game, which is thin production for a backup center. Reed is a rookie, so the case for him rests on where he is headed rather than on what he has done so far. Harper's minutes are up eight a night over the last three games, and he scored a career-high 25 against the Knicks.
When does Tobias Harris help?
Not Saturday. Garcia relayed the team's word that Harris and Jayden Quaintance are both out against Minnesota. Harris is listed out with a left calf injury and an estimated return of November 6, the Emirates NBA Cup game at Sacramento. Quaintance's right knee carries a December 3 estimate. Ty Small argued that the scoring so far makes Harris's arrival more exciting. At $15.0 million, Harris is a rotation piece the Spurs are paying while they wait.
Is Tobias Harris playing against the Timberwolves?
No. Harris is out with a left calf injury, and his estimated return is November 6 at Sacramento.
How is Victor Wembanyama scoring this season?
He is scoring closer to the rim. Paul Garcia found that 54% of his paint points have come from lobs, up from 27% last season, and he is averaging 25.0 points and 11.4 rebounds.
