Why the Spurs Are Deeper Than You Think
The early success of the San Antonio Spurs is far from accidental. The team stands as one of the last three undefeated squads in the league and has opened the season with a franchise-best five-game winning streak.
Despite missing key rotation players like All-Star De’Aaron Fox, along with backup big men Kelly Olynyk and Luke Kornet, the Spurs continue to dominate. It’s tempting to imagine how much larger their winning margins could be if these essential players were available.
Currently, the Spurs are winning by an average of 14.4 points per game, the highest differential in the NBA. However, two of those victories came against still-winless teams—the Brooklyn Nets and the New Orleans Pelicans. Their toughest opponent so far has been the Miami Heat, who started the season at 3–2.
Although the Spurs rank as the fourth-slowest team in pace, they lead the league in fast-break points. This shows how efficiently they choose their moments to attack. By capitalizing on weak transition defenses, the Spurs prefer strategic bursts over constant speed.
“The Heat are first and second in both those categories, but the Spurs were superior in each area on Thursday in a six-point win.”
If De’Aaron Fox were available, the team might play faster thanks to his explosive open-court presence. Yet, even without him, San Antonio has performed impressively, demonstrating that their system doesn’t rely on any one player. The absence of Fox also brings balance: rookie Stephon Castle contributes elite perimeter defense, helping the Spurs achieve the league’s second-best defensive rating.
Author’s Summary
The Spurs’ early dominance proves their depth and defensive balance make them one of the most complete and efficient teams in the league, even without key stars in the lineup.