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.
Let’s take a look at Spurs lineups
Catch the Spurs back in action this fall. |Photo by Reginald Thomas II via San Antonio Spurs
Exploring the San Antonio Spurs’ Lineup Dynamics
As a devoted follower of the San Antonio Spurs, I’ve been closely analyzing the team’s lineup combinations this season. With a decent sample size now available, it’s fascinating to see which player units are proving most effective on the court. One of the most intriguing aspects is the pairing of Jeremy Sochan and Victor Wembanyama. Surprisingly, the numbers suggest this duo might not be the most efficient combination for the Spurs, despite their individual talents.
The Chemistry Conundrum
It’s about how well the pieces fit together. Last season, when Sohan was sidelined, Wembanyama’s performance noticeably improved. In games without Sochan, Wembanyama’s scoring average jumped significantly, highlighting a potential mismatch in their playing styles when paired together.
This season, the trend continues. In games where Sohan and Wembanyama haven’t shared the court, Wembanyama’s scoring has soared. The offensive efficiency of the team seems to improve without Sohan, although his defensive prowess is undeniable. It’s a classic case of balancing offense and defense, and the Spurs are still figuring out the optimal mix.
The Best Lineup So Far
Interestingly, the most effective lineup so far doesn’t include both Sochan and Wembanyama. According to data from Pivot Fade, a lineup featuring Julian Champagnie, Chris Paul, Harrison Barnes, and Wembanyama has been the most efficient. This unit has played 76 minutes together and boasts a remarkable plus-58 rating. The key here is having one primary offensive weapon—Wembanyama—surrounded by players who know their roles and can facilitate his scoring opportunities.
The second-best lineup, although only tested for 11 minutes, includes Keldon Johnson, Champagnie, Paul, Wembanyama, and Malaki Branham. This group has shown potential with an impressive offensive rating, suggesting that it could become a formidable combination as the season progresses.
The Spurs’ challenge is to find the right balance between offense and defense. While Sochan’s defensive skills are valuable, the team must ensure that Wembanyama remains the offense’s focal point. This might mean rethinking traditional roles and embracing a more modern, analytics-driven approach to lineup construction.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Spurs’ lineup dynamics, tune into the Locked On Spurs podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Spurs Podcast:
- The impact of Chris Paul’s veteran leadership on the Spurs’ young roster
- Analyzing the Spurs’ defensive strategies and their effectiveness
- A look at the Spurs’ upcoming schedule and key matchups to watch
The streak had to end sometime. Even the 2015-2016 Warriors only (“only”) got to 24 wins to start their season. Ironically, they’d go on to lose the title to the Cavs that season.
That Cleveland lost to the Celtics, in TD Garden, without Isaac Okoro and with Darius Garland shooting 3-21 — well only the first half of that stings. If Garland made two more of those field goals the Cavs would’ve taken the game, and Okoro, out with an ankle sprain, will be back.
This game was a tester for the Cavs. Beyond a match against the defending champs and a potential Eastern Conference Finals preview, it was an opportunity to see how the team responded to pressure, unfavourable conditions and expectation. NBA basketball is about winning, we all know this refrain well, but that the Cavs scoring dried up in crucial stretches while the team also fell into bad habits of turning the ball over in momentum-leeching moments, and they still managed multiple runs to come back within two, speaks pretty well to this group’s ability to respond.
What makes the Celtics so good, and a bit like a dream-crushing machine, is their ability to capitalize on and invert what usually brings their opponents wins. In the Cavs case, it’s their speed. Not just pure speed without aim, but their ability to push the pace within their offensive possessions because not one player tends to move in isolation from anyone else. Their lightning quick passing, their flashing cuts and counter-cuts, it’s all predicated on ball movement capitalizing on intuitive communication. A sixth sense of understanding where their teammates are on the floor at any given moment.
Boston was able to jam that up. Not entirely upend it, but chase with pace of their own enough that Garland at times appeared to be the pursued and not the pursuer. Where Garland rushed an offensive possession, where he went in for a fastbreak ISO drive to wrest the pace of the game back into his team’s hands, he bungled it. He’d botch an easy layup and go careening past the baseline, having to expend more energy to get back down the floor in the transition already underway. And the more he botched it, the faster he went. The Celtics saw this and upped the pressure on him, taking advantage of forced turnovers by draining three after three and all but eliminating a huge component of what’s made the Cavs so formidable — their rebounding.
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.
Home and Away
Rumor Ex-Spur Stephen Jackson makes a bold claim about Gregg Popovich’s coaching future. His assertion has sparked significant discussion among fans and analysts about the legendary coach’s next move. (Sports Illustrated)
Fans Join the NBA San Antonio Spurs and SAFC for the Coca-Cola Classic Christmas at Toyota Field. The hype squad promises an exciting blend of basketball and festive cheer, uniting fans in celebration. (Pounding the Rock)
Analysis How the Cavaliers’ offseason plan has turned them into the top team in the league so far this year. (ESPN)
Milestone Russell Westbrook becomes the first player in NBA history to record 200 triple-doubles. (CBS Sports)
Must Read The NBA’s three-point revolution has gotten extreme, begging the question: How many is too many?(The Washington Post)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Can Dalton Knecht Keep Up This Run?
Nov 19, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Dalton Knecht (4) react after scoring a three point basket against the Utah Jazz during the second half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images|Gary A. Vasquez/Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Dalton Knecht has recently become a focal point in NBA fantasy discussions, thanks to his electrifying performances on the court. In a standout game, Knecht scored 37 points, including nine three-pointers, with an impressive 75% shooting accuracy. This remarkable display has fantasy managers buzzing, as Knecht’s shooting streak positions him as a valuable asset in leagues.
Knecht’s Shooting Streak: A Fantasy Goldmine
Over the past four games, Knecht has been on a tear, shooting 22 of 33 from beyond the arc, equating to a 67% success rate. Such efficiency is rare and highlights his potential as a sharpshooter. For fantasy managers, Knecht is a must-add player, especially given his current role in the Lakers’ starting lineup. However, while his shooting spree is impressive, it’s important to manage expectations, as maintaining such a high percentage is challenging over the long term.
Injury Updates and Their Impact on Fantasy Rosters
Knecht’s rise comes at a time when injuries are shaking up NBA rosters. Norman Powell’s hamstring injury, for instance, has left a gap in the Clippers’ lineup. With Powell likely sidelined for at least a week, players like Kris Dunn and Amir Coffey might see increased roles, offering potential value for fantasy managers seeking replacements.
Click the button below to get updates on Zach Edey’s ankle injury, and how Bradley Beal’s calf continues to cause problems for fantasy managers
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.
