Jeff Garcia here, the host of the daily Locked On Spurs podcast, with your daily Locked On Spurs newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Spurs and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
Stephon Castle is exceeding San Antonio Spurs’ expectations
Nov 7, 2024; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) dribbles against Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija (8) in the first half at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images|Daniel Dunn/Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images
Steph Castle: The Rising Star in San Antonio’s Rebuild
As a dedicated San Antonio Spurs fan, it’s thrilling to witness the emergence of Stephon Castle as a potential cornerstone for the team’s future. With just over ten games into his NBA career, Castle is already making waves, showcasing a blend of scoring, poise, and defensive prowess that has fans buzzing about his potential.
Evaluating Castle’s Early Performance
Castle, the fourth overall pick, has quickly integrated into the Spurs’ lineup, even earning starting roles in several games. His stats are promising: averaging 8.4 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game, all while maintaining a low turnover rate of 1.1 per game. This efficiency is impressive for a rookie, especially one who has been thrust into significant playing time so early in his career.
One of the standout aspects of Castle’s game is his defense. His ability to guard multiple positions and disrupt opposing offenses has been a key factor in his early success. Moreover, his shooting has been a pleasant surprise. Despite pre-draft concerns about his shooting ability, Castle is hitting 37% from beyond the arc and 48% from two-point range, defying expectations and proving to be a more versatile scorer than initially thought.
Castle’s Role in the Spurs’ Future
The Spurs’ coaching staff has shown immense trust in Castle, often relying on him in crucial fourth-quarter situations. His average of four points in the final period, along with his steady presence, highlights his growing importance to the team. At just 19 years old, Castle’s maturity and composure on the court are remarkable, earning him praise from teammates and coaches alike.
While Castle’s early performances are encouraging, there’s an understanding that he will face challenges, such as the inevitable “rookie wall.” However, his ability to adapt and learn quickly is evident. His mid-range game, often overlooked, adds another layer to his offensive arsenal, making him a threat from various spots on the floor.
As the season progresses, there are areas for Castle to improve, particularly in shooting consistency. The Spurs’ offense has struggled at times, and Castle’s development in catch-and-shoot situations could be pivotal. His growth in this area will be crucial as the team looks to enhance its offensive efficiency.
For more insights and a deeper dive into Steph Castle’s impact and potential, tune into the Locked On Spurs podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Spurs Podcast:
- The impact of Devin Vassell’s absence on the Spurs’ offensive struggles.
- Analysis of Victor Wembanyama’s early season performance and adjustments.
- Discussion on the Spurs’ lineup combinations and their effectiveness.
- Insights into the coaching strategies of Mitch Johnson and his role in the team’s development.
San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) reacts during the second half against the Sacramento Kings at Frost Bank Center.|Photo by Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
Monday’s NBA action featured five games, each packed with performances and injury updates that could reshape your fantasy basketball strategy.
Injury Updates Affecting Lineups
Damian Lillard’s entry into concussion protocol means he’ll miss Tuesday’s game, with a slim chance of returning by Wednesday. This quick turnaround is unusual, so keep an eye on updates. Meanwhile, Gary Trent Jr. is still dealing with back spasms, and despite his fantasy position eligibility, he’s not a point guard, averaging only two assists per game. The Milwaukee Bucks are experimenting with their lineup, with Pat Connaughton and Ryan Rollins as potential backup point guards. Giannis Antetokounmpo can handle point guard duties, but he needs support, especially with Khris Middleton unavailable.
Zion Williamson’s injury update is a blow to fantasy managers. He’s expected to be out for four to six weeks, longer than initially anticipated. If you have an IR spot, hold onto him, but be prepared for a potentially extended absence. Malik Monk’s ankle injury will keep him out for at least two weeks, affecting the Sacramento Kings’ lineup. Kevin Huerter and Keon Ellis could see increased value in the short term.
Game Highlights and Player Performances
The San Antonio Spurs pulled off a surprising 116-96 victory over the Sacramento Kings. Victor Wembanyama was the standout performer, delivering a stellar 34 points and 14 rebounds, solidifying his status as a top fantasy player. De’Aaron Fox’s assist numbers are concerning, especially with DeMar DeRozan’s arrival affecting his role. DeRozan’s on-court fit with the Kings remains a question mark. Kevin Huerter’s inconsistency continues, and while he had a hot streak, his recent performance was lacklustre. Keegan Murray’s struggles are evident, and I don’t see him breaking into the top 75 players this season.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Mike Shearer (@bballispoetry) has written about the NBA full-time since 2021 at various and sundry places. For more from Mike, check out his Substack bestseller, Basketball Poetry, where he uses unnecessary metaphors and the occasional haiku to discuss the NBA’s happenings with an analytical lens.
Home and Away
Analysis Concerns are rising over Devin Booker’s early-season slump. Is it fatigue, a lingering injury, or something deeper affecting his gameplay? (Bright Side of the Sun)
Preview The Phoenix Suns and the Utah Jazz battle it out in a game at the Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City at 9:00 PM Eastern. Read the preview.(NBA)
Injury The NBA has a ‘missing stars’ problem with injuries piling up faster than normal. (Yahoo! Sports)
Rumor Did Giannis Antetokounmpo’s fake handshake prank launch a new NBA rivalry?
Preview The tiny town and legendary 1980s NBA team that built NBA Draft phenom Cooper Flagg (ESPN)
League At Large
League At Large
In defense of the NBA In-Season Tournament
The second annual NBA In-Season Tournament/much catchier ‘NBA Cup’ begins tonight, kicking off roughly a month of tournament games that fall on Tuesdays and Fridays. Then, we get into the quarterfinals and conference semifinals, the rules of which I am still not 100% clear on and am not ashamed to admit.
The newness of the Cup is what makes people skeptical of it. It’s what made me skeptical of it last season. It’s difficult to introduce new things into competitive ecosystems that seem largely “set”, which is why it happens rarely. My skepticism of the tournament came from the need to gameify what is already a game, but then I thought about how often the “product” of the NBA (e.g. basketball) gets complained about and realized the league was trying something. Trying something different versus just complaining about what already exists for the sake of griping is also rare.
Part of the fun of the tournament in its current, very green iteration, is its messiness. Last season, athletes were clear about how they, too, were stumped on the rules. How did the point system work? What were the knockout rules? Why were the custom courts so garish? But for the most part, players leaned into it. Did the Lakers lean a little too hard into it by hanging the In-Season Tournament banner in the rafters? Absolutely. But these are Tuesday night games in November — nothing about them should be sacrosanct.
A genuine lift I noticed and liked about last season’s tournament, and my real point of defense, is how these games operated as additional runway for a handful of teams on the verge. The In-Season Tournament was where we started to see the Pacers flourish and use the breakneck speed that went on to become a critical component of their entirely unique offense. The Pelicans also treated the tournament as something different, approaching the games like an escape from the early season injury woes that derailed them (unfortunately in a very cruel deja vu, we’re seeing the same thing this season). There’s going to be more emerging teams and play styles showing themselves this time around.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Spurs podcasts.
Discussing Project Marvel + San Antonio Spurs-Jazz gameday preview
With the current Frost Bank Center lagging behind other NBA arenas, the San Antonio Spurs and the city are exploring a possible new arena to enhance their marketability and revitalize the downtown area.
Let’s take a look at San Antonio Spurs lineups
The San Antonio Spurs are experimenting with lineup combinations, and the results might surprise you. With Victor Wembanyama’s evolving role, the team is exploring whether focusing on inside play or perimeter shooting will maximize his potential.
Victor Wembanyama’s improved shooting; San Antonio Spurs-Thunder preview
Victor Wembanyama’s recent shooting improvements have caught the attention of NBA fans and analysts alike. With his field goal percentage jumping from 41% to 50% and his three-point accuracy soaring from 23% to 39%, the San Antonio Spurs’ rising star is redefining expectations.
