2024-25 NBA season preview

Southwest Division

SAN ANTONIO SPURS

C: Victor Wembanyama — new additions will settle Victor’s shot selection, which is good, and the new additions will put pressure on Wembanyama to nail jumpers on the spot, which is also good. Will he can those looks? That’s the whole season.
PF: Harrison Barnes — Stephen Curry had 81 more rebounds than Harrison Barnes in 2023-24 but to be fair Curry played in eight fewer games than Harrison Barnes. Victor Wembanyama had more blocks last season than Harrison Barnes pulled rebounds. Jusuf Nurkic had (way) more rebounds on Sundays and Mondays combined, 22 games, than Harrison Barnes compiled in 82 games spread out over all seven days of the week.
F: Jeremy Sochan — is 21 for all of 2024-25 which means he may match his career total of heaves from beyond half-court (five his rookie season, four last season) by March. He hasn’t made a heave yet, but the Spurs know who to pass to. Ironically, if the exhibition turn is any indication, Sochan might cut back on his three-pointers in 2024-25. Made a lot of 20-year old mistakes last season, his second.
SG: Devin Vassell — has a broken right foot and may take the rest of 2024 to slowly ease back into form and shape, but don’t worry he’ll make about as much as Michael Jordan did in 1996-97. That’s not a shot. If we’re to allow dubious NBA team investors and league-sponsored betting addictions, the least we could do is make the NBA’s average salary $30 million.
PG: Chris Paul — the Spurs don’t mind losing, but they want to do it the right way. Each defeat needs a personal sting, something to think about when rolling over in bed, tossing into a crumple while it is still dark outside. Chris Paul ensures this. Don’t think about him when you drive.