The San Antonio Spurs were not a good team last season as they finished the year with a record of 22-60. They were 23rd in the NBA in points scored, scoring 112.1 points per game. The Spurs were also not a great defensive team as they allowed their opponents to score 118.1 points per game, which ranked 24th in the league.

The main bright spot for San Antonio was their number one overall pick, Victor Wembanyama. Wembanyama came into the NBA with high expectations and lived up to them right away.

The Frenchman won, rookie of the year and was second in defensive player of the year voting. He averaged 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, and a league leading 3.6 blocks per game. Wembanyama shot 46% from the floor and 32% from three.

Getting Wemby Some Help

The Spurs could not go into this season with the same roster from last year. So, they decided to add a lot of experience. The Spurs signed 12-year veteran and NBA champion Harrison Barnes along with future hall of famer, 39-year old Chris Paul.

The effect of their veteran leadership can already be seen through the first six games. The Spurs are 3-3 but the habits of winning basketball are there.

The Road to the Playoffs

San Antonio is currently third in the NBA in defensive rating. Nine of the top ten teams in defensive rating, made the playoffs last season.

They have held their opponents to 106 points or less in five of their first six games. The Spurs are only allowing their opponents to score 104.7 points per game, which is third best in the league. They are only allowing their opponents to shot 42% from the floor, which is also third best in the NBA.

The Gregg Popovich led team does have an area that has to improve, if they want a real chance of making the playoffs. They have to get better on the offensive end. They are currently 26th in offensive rating. Only two of the bottom 10 teams in offensive rating made the playoffs last season, the Miami Heat and Orlando Magic.

Wembanyama has not lived up to expectations on the offensive end of the floor to start the season. He is averaging 18 points per game, while shooting 42% from the floor and 22% from three point range.

This should improve as the year goes along as Chris Paul finds new ways to get Wembanyama the ball in advantageous positions. A position of advantage for the 7’4″ Wembanyama is close to the rim but for some reason Wemby shoots more shots from three point range than he does from five feet or closer to the rim.

46% of Wembanyama’s shots have been three pointers this season while only 25% of his shots have come within five feet of the rim. That stat should be reversed.

Wembanyama is not an old school big man as he has the ability to dribble like a guard and shoot from deep but that touch would be better used if at the rim.

The adjustment should be made as the season goes along and Wembanyama’s production and efficiency will improve drastically.

The enhancement of Wembanyama’s game is not the only thing that will help this offense improve. The second leading scorer from last season, Devin Vassell, has not played yet this season.

Vassell averaged 19.5 points per game last season while shooting 47% from the floor and 37% from behind the three point line. Any team’s offense will be affected by the loss of that production.

The change of Wembanyama’s shot distribution along with the return of Vassell should be enough to get this offense out the bottom 10 in offensive production.

The combination of their elite defense with an average offense, should definitely be enough to get them into the Play-In, then from there, the playoffs will be in reach.