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.
San Antonio Spurs in Paris wrap up; Midseason grades: The guards
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
The San Antonio Spurs wrapped up their Paris trip with a mixed bag of results, going 1-1 against the Indiana Pacers. In the first game, we saw a complete Spurs performance, dominating the Pacers from start to finish. Victor Wembanyama shined with 30 points and 11 rebounds, but it wasn’t just a one-man show. The team’s balanced attack saw multiple players stepping up, including Devin Vassell and Doug Collins, who both scored 20 or more points.
The third quarter, which had been our Achilles’ heel during recent losing streaks, turned into our strongest period. We outscored the Pacers 45-23 in that frame, showcasing the potential of this young team when firing on all cylinders. Our bench also came through, outscoring Indiana’s reserves 53-33.
However, the second game told a different story. The Pacers adjusted their strategy, doubling down on Wembanyama and getting physical. This approach exposed our inconsistency and lack of adaptability. Turnovers plagued us, with 22 compared to Indiana’s 10. The fourth quarter was particularly brutal, as we were outscored 38-12.
Off the court, the Paris trip was a resounding success for the Spurs brand. We funded two new basketball courts in Wembanyama’s hometown and engaged in various community initiatives. The presence of Spurs legends like David Robinson and Tony Parker added to the excitement. The global spotlight on Wembanyama helped elevate the team’s international profile.
Jan 20, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) rebounds beside center Nick Richards (2) in the first quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. | David Richard/David Richard-Imagn Images
It’s hard to pinpoint problems for a middling team. Very bad and excellent teams at least have one thing in common, which is that their deficits are easy to spot. With a team languishing in the middle of the standings, not so bad they’ll slide to the bottom and not good enough to climb past the more competent contenders above them, the deficits stack up and shuffle from day to day.
The Suns are firmly in this category.
There’s personnel issues, that much is clear after center Jusuf Nurkic said over the weekend that he and head coach Mike Budenholzer have no relationship. Not a bad relationship, not a testy one, but none whatsoever. Nurkic also said that he and Budenholzer didn’t speak for two months, and that Budenholzer didn’t tell Nurkic he’d be coming off the bench. That goes directly against what Budenholzer told media when he made the decision.
It’s a strange departure given that Budenholzer travelled to Croatia in the summer, shortly after the Suns hired him to replace the one season shoes of Frank Vogel, to spend time with Nurkic. Nurkic admired Coach Bud’s accountability, and the way he in turn held his players accountable.
“That’s the number one thing I noticed about him that’s different from any coach in my career,” Nurkic said, back in October. “I’ve had a lot of them. I was really amazed he got over and spent a few days with me.”
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
Analysis The San Antonio Spurs’ current season has been shaped by various league dynamics, including the rise of Detroit’s young stars and Memphis’s resurgence. These trends highlight the competitive landscape the Spurs navigate. (Pounding the Rock)
Watch San Antonio Spurs’ Sandro Mamukelashvili showcased possibly the greatest trick shot ever, a feat that fans won’t want to miss. His incredible skill was on full display, captivating audiences. (Pounding the Rock)
Biz San Antonio residents are expressing concerns over the future home of the Spurs, highlighting community impacts and potential relocations. The team’s management must address these concerns to maintain local support. (Sports Illustrated)
Honor Victor Wembanyama reflected on his special week in Paris, where the Spurs’ international presence was celebrated, marking a significant moment in his career and the team’s global reach. (Sports Illustrated)
Rumor As the NBA trade deadline approaches, the San Antonio Spurs’ strategic moves are under scrutiny, with the team possibly being seen as “sellers only.” This could signal potential roster changes. (Bleacher Report)
Jan 25, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski (2) reacts after making a three point basket against the Los Angeles Lakers during the second quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images | Darren Yamashita/Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
The NBA action over the weekend was intense, with 15 games providing plenty of storylines to dissect. Let’s dive into some of the most notable performances and developments.
In Paris, the Indiana Pacers bounced back from their previous loss with a dominant 136-98 victory over the San Antonio Spurs. Tyrese Haliburton led the charge with 28 points, six rebounds, three assists, two steals, and two blocks in just 28 minutes. Andrew Nembhard continued his solid play with 15 points, eight rebounds, and nine assists, though I’m not convinced he’s a must-roster player in standard leagues.
The Golden State Warriors are becoming increasingly difficult to figure out. With Jonathan Kuminga and Draymond Green sidelined, Steve Kerr’s rotations were unpredictable. Trayce Jackson-Davis saw only 14 minutes, making it hard to justify holding onto in most formats. The flavour of the month seems to be Brandin Podziemski, who put up 17 points, three rebounds, five assists, and two steals in 28 minutes.
Injury Updates Shake Up Rotations
Several teams are dealing with significant injuries that are impacting their rotations. The Atlanta Hawks will be without Trae Young for their upcoming game, while De’Andre Hunter is questionable. This could open up opportunities for players like Dejounte Murray and Bogdan Bogdanovic to see increased usage.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Spurs podcasts.
Fan episode: How do fans grade the San Antonio Spurs at the mid-season?
The San Antonio Spurs are making waves in the NBA, with star players like Victor Wembanyama and Devin Vassell leading the charge.
But how do Spurs fans feel about the team at the mid-season point?
Emergency show: Reacting to the latest San Antonio Spurs-De’Aaron Fox rumor
On this emergency episode of Locked On Spurs, host Jeff Garcia welcomes Jack Thompson, formerly with San Antonio Spurs Star, and Spurs on Sports Illustrated’s Matt Guzman, to react to the latest rumor involving the San Antonio Spurs and Kings guard De’Aaron Fox.
San Antonio Spurs in Paris wrap up; Midseason grades: The guards
The San Antonio Spurs, led by rising star Victor Wembanyama, recently showcased their skills in Paris, leaving fans buzzing about their potential. With the NBA season at its midpoint, the Spurs’ performance, especially the contributions of their guards, is under the microscope.
