In the latest episode, Spurscast host Paul Garcia is joined by Project Spurs writer Collin Reid to discuss the San Antonio Spurs’ final two games of the regular season (1:35), where the Spurs sit going into the draft lottery (8:10), and where the Spurs made some improvement this past season (31:04). They also discuss the season that Tre Jones, Keldon Johnson, Blake Wesley, and Malaki Branham had this season (12:40).

The Final Two Games

The Spurs closed out their 2023-2024 regular season with an underdog win over the Denver Nuggets, and then a blowout against the Detroit Pistons.

During the Nuggets game, Victor Wembanyama had a scoring explosion in the third quarter, where he scored 17 points in a little under three minutes.

Spurs’ Position Going into Draft Lottery

By winning 22 games, the Spurs will head into the draft lottery with the 5th worst record. While the odds aren’t as good as having a bottom-3 record, Portland showed last year that just because you have the 5th worst record, you can still jump ahead into the Top-3 of the lottery.

The Spurs also have a chance of landing the Toronto Raptors’ first round pick in the lottery as well.

Role Players Discussion

Tre Jones, Keldon Johnson, Blake Wesley, and Malaki Branham’s seasons are discussed in the episode, and how each player fits on the team going forward.

The Math Game Improvement

Two of the areas where the Spurs made improvement in the math game, were closing the gap in 3-point scoring with their opponents, and free throw scoring.

In the latest episode, Spurscast host Paul Garcia discusses Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs in their last four games (1:10), rookie Sidy Cissoko (10:00), and the draft lottery race is reviewed with teams going into the final weekend of the regular season (14:00).

Wemby, Spurs in Last 4 Games

The Spurs went 2-2 in their last four games, defeating the New Orleans Pelicans on the road, falling in double overtime to the Philadelphia 76ers, winning in Memphis, and getting blown out in Oklahoma City.

Wembanyama played in the first three games of this stretch, where he continued to put up some spectacular numbers while helping the Spurs pick up two wins. 

Wemby sat out Wednesday’s game in Oklahoma City due to injury management, but the night before in Memphis (3:55), he had a performance where he blocked seven of the eight active players on the Grizzlies roster.

Sidy Cissoko Minutes in Last 2 Games

With the injuries to multiple wing players on the Spurs’ roster, rookie Sidy Cissoko has seen a good chunk of playing time in the Spurs’ last two games.

During his last two games, Cissoko is averaging 12 points, four rebounds, and 2.5 assists in 25 minutes per night.

Some observations of his cutting off the ball, crashing the offensive glass, and his passing skills are discussed.

Lottery Race Update

In the final topic, the Spurs’ draft lottery scenarios are explored with the Spurs, Charlotte Hornets, and Portland Trail Blazers all being within range of finishing with the 3rd to 5th worst record.

The Spurs also still have a solid chance of landing the Toronto Raptors’ pick as long as it ends up in the 7th to 10th range in the lottery.

In the latest episode, Spurscast host Paul Garcia is joined by Project Spurs writer Collin Reid to discuss Victor Wembanyama’s surging play in the last three games (2:57), late season injuries for Devin Vassell and Jeremy Sochan (10:00), and Wembanyama’s chances of winning or being named to different end-of-season awards (20:52). 

Wemby’s Surging Play in Last Three Games

In the San Antonio Spurs’ last three games, Wembanyama has had some impactful performances. He scored a career high 40 points against the New York Knicks, he almost helped the Spurs defeat the Golden State Warriors minus three rotation players, and he recorded nine blocks against the defending champion Denver Nuggets.

Season Ending Injuries for Vassell and Sochan

Earlier this week, the Spurs announced Vassell and Sochan will miss the remainder of the season due to injuries. In the episode, their progress from last season to this season is discussed and analyzed.

Wemby’s Award Chances

Finally, there’s a discussion about Wembanyama’s chances of landing on one of the All-Defensive teams, his Defensive Player of the Year candidacy, and whether or not he has a shot of making an All-NBA team.

In the latest episode, Spurscast host Paul Garcia discusses Victor Wembanyama’s chances of landing on one of the NBA All-Defensive teams (2:05), the San Antonio Spurs’ last four games (20:55), and the Spurs’ nine remaining games to end the season (27:00).

Wemby’s All-Defensive Team Chances

How does Wembanyama compare to other all-defensive team candidates? That question is explored in detail now that the final nine games of the season are left.

2-2 in the Last Four Games

In their last four games, the Spurs are 2-2. They lost to the Memphis Grizzlies and the Phoenix Suns, but then they defeated the Suns without Wembanyama and went on to defeat the Jazz in Utah.

The Last 9 Games

Beginning Friday against the Knicks, the Spurs are wrapping up their regular season with the final nine games of their season.

The Spurs need to go 3-6 to avoid setting a franchise record for the fewest wins in a single season. If the Spurs are winning games though, they may decrease their lottery odds of landing a Top-3 pick with Charlotte and Portland getting closer in the lottery standings.

In the latest episode, Spurscast host Paul Garcia is joined by Project Spurs writer Benjamin Bornstein to discuss draft prospects in March Madness (1:55). From there, the Spurs’ last two games are reviewed (21:25), as well as a quote from Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving on Victor Wembanyama’s defense and defensive player of the year candidacy (24:55). 

Topics from the episode:

March Madness draft prospects Bornstein discusses:

• Cody Williams (Colorado)
• Stephon Castle (UConn)
• Donovan Clingan (UConn)
• Cam Spencer (UConn)
• Tristen Newton (UConn)
• Kyle Filipowski (Duke)
• Zach Edey (Purdue)
• Trey Alexander (Creighton)
• Pelle Larson (Arizona)
• Terrence Shannon Jr. (Illinois)
• Reed Sheppard (Kentucky)
• Rob Dillingham (Kentucky)
• Dalton Knecht (Tennessee)

The Spurs’ last two games

Sunday the Spurs defeated the Brooklyn Nets in overtime in Austin, TX. Wembanyama had a monster game with 33 points, 15 rebounds, 7 assists, and 7 blocks. 

The Spurs then hosted the Dallas Mavericks Tuesday in San Antonio, and though it was a close game, Dallas ended up holding on for the win.

While Wembanyama and Luka Doncic each had a tough night shooting the ball, they both still filled the stat sheet with Wembanyama tallying 12 points, 11 rebounds, and 6 blocks, while Doncic finished with 18 points, 16 assists, and 10 rebounds.

Kyrie Irving on Wemby’s Defense

After the game Tuesday, Irving had some unique comments about Wembanyama’s timing on defense and how he protects the rim. From there, Irving went on to say how Wembanyama should be a strong Defensive Player of the Year candidate. 

In the latest episode, Spurscast host Paul Garcia discusses Victor Wembanyama recording 200 blocks in his rookie season (2:54), Blake Wesley carving out a role for himself (10:40), and the San Antonio Spurs’ lottery odds with the season winding down (19:20). 

Key questions addressed in the episode:

How many blocks has Wemby recorded and where do his blocks rank in the league? (2:54)

How has Blake Wesley carved out a role for himself? (10:40)

What are the Spurs’ chances of landing the first overall pick in the draft and will the Toronto pick end up going to San Antonio in the draft? (19:20)

In the latest episode, Spurscast host Paul Garcia discusses the San Antonio Spurs’ recent loss in Houston (2:05), Malaki Branham’s improved play since the trade deadline (12:00), and whether or not the Spurs can avoid the record for fewest wins in franchise history (15:45).

Key questions addressed in the episode:

What happened in Houston?

Has Malaki Branham improved since the trade deadline?

How can the Spurs avoid the franchise record for fewest wins in a single season?

In the latest episode, Spurscast host Paul Garcia discusses Victor Wembanyama leading the San Antonio Spurs to a win over the Oklahoma City Thunder (1:50), Devin Vassell attacking more often (15:55), and the Spurs waiving Marcus Morris Sr. (20:35)

Key questions addressed in the episode:

How did the Spurs defeat the Thunder?

Has Devin Vassell’s shot selection changed now that he’s attacking more often?

What will the Spurs do with the open roster spot?

Spurscast Ep. 733: The Spurs Through the All-Star Break

In the latest episode, Spurscast host Paul Garcia is joined by Project Spurs writer Collin Reid, where they discuss the recent Trae Young trade rumor and the Spurs through the All-Star break.

Zach Collins Contract Update (2:50)

Trae Young Trade Rumor (4:35)

Players through All-Star Break

Devin Vassell (18:00)

Keldon Johnson (20:15)

Jeremy Sochan (22:10)

Victor Wembanyama (26:40)

Malaki Branham (29:00)

Julian Champagnie (31:40)

Blake Wesley (34:40)

Dominick Barlow (37:40)

The veterans: Tre Jones, Zach Collins, Cedi Osman (41:00)

Marcus Morris Sr. Update (45:05)

In the latest episode, Spurscast host Paul Garcia looks at a recent Trae Young trade rumor involving the San Antonio Spurs (1:35), Marcus Morris’ status with San Antonio (17:00), and the first five games of the Rodeo Road Trip (20:05).

Wednesday in an article from the Ringer, there was some reporting about the Spurs and Atlanta Hawks having discussions about a Trae Young trade before the NBA trade deadline expired.

In the episode, the question pondered is what would a Young to San Antonio trade look like either before July 1, or after July 1?

Last week after the Spurs acquired Marcus Morris Sr. via trade, there was reporting that he would be waived from the team. A week later, Morris remains on the team, though he’s currently listed as ‘not with team’ on each injury report. 

While Morris is still likely to be waived, the Spurs only have until March 1 to waive him so he’ll be able to sign with a playoff team.

The Spurs are 1-4 in the first half of their Rodeo Road Trip, with double digit losses to Miami, Orlando, Brooklyn, and Dallas. The Spurs’ lone win was a blowout in Toronto, where Victor Wembanyama recorded his second triple double of his career with 27 points, 14 rebounds, and 10 blocks.

After he was struggling for a few games due to fatigue and adjusting to the grueling NBA schedule, Wembanyma has bounced back in his last three games, where he’s scored over 20 points in each contest, while shooting a higher percentage from three and scoring more of his points in the paint.

Thursday the trade deadline came and went with the San Antonio Spurs trading veteran Doug McDermott to Indiana (0:38), while reportedly acquiring Marcus Morris Sr., a future second round pick, and cash from the Pacers.

In the episode, host Paul Garcia breaks down the trade and the Spurs’ options going forward for the remainder of the season. How long will

Morris Sr. remain a Spur? What are the chances the Spurs waive Cedi Osman (4:15) or Devonte’ Graham (4:55), and might the Spurs look at adding Killian Hayes (5:45) if he clears waivers? Could Dominick Barlow’s contract be converted to a full roster spot (8:25)?

An early look ahead to the offseason is also explored to see if the Spurs might use their stockpile of draft picks to pursue a trade for Dejounte Murray (13:15), Trae Young (13:45), or look at signing Tyus Jones (14:25).