San Antonio Spurs should start Bryn Forbes at shooting guard this season

After starting in all but one game for the San Antonio Spurs last season, combo guard Bryn Forbes has earned the right to start this year.

In a game that saw significant minutes logged by the likes of Dejounte Murray, Derrick White and Lonnie Walker IV for the San Antonio Spurs, it was Michigan State alumnus Bryn Forbes that stood out amongst the pack. The 26-year-old shooting guard dropped 24 points on 9-of-13 shooting along with two assists and a board. Even after an offseason without league play, Forbes is showing himself to be polished and ready for the regular season.

Forbes proved once again that there are few questions to his game – you know exactly what you’re going to get out of the fiery guard. While undersized, Forbes fights hard on defense and sets defenders ablaze with his quick trigger and near-limitless range.

He shot 45.6 percent from the field, 42.6 percent from three-point land and 88.5 percent from the charity stripe for a 5.8 percent improvement in his effective field goal percentage from his second season to his third.

It’s too early to tell what else Forbes added to his collection of moves, but the rising talent has established himself as a grinder in every sense of the word. He’s as dedicated to his craft as anyone on the roster and will use preseason as a showcase for his blooming abilities.

More so than any other member of the young core, Forbes has proven himself to Gregg Popovich and the coaching staff as a quality starter. His shooting ability is absolutely necessary for this group, especially when considering that the only two players we can absolutely lock into this year’s starting lineup are DeMar DeRozan and LaMarcus Aldridge – two non-shooters.

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Forbes provides DeRozan with an off-ball sniper to catch-and-shoot from the outside when added attention is derived to the team’s star. He’s zippy and deceptive, oftentimes using his signature elusiveness to sneak past defenders on cuts to the basket. He put on a noticeable amount of muscle in the offseason and will put it to use when driving to the rim.

Of returning players, Forbes ranked fourth in offensive win shares and offensive box plus/minus last season. He provides some firepower for the Spurs’ starting five where it’s sorely needed.

While Murray and White would be a dynamic two-way backcourt, Forbes and Murray match each other’s deficiencies better than the aforementioned duo. Where Forbes lacks in length, size, ball handling ability and playmaking, he makes up for Murray’s lack of floor spacing. Having White to fill in for either of the dynamic guards off the pine will allow for a Manu Ginobili-esque presence in San Antonio’s second unit.

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Starting lineups tend to be fluid under Pop and nothing is permanent, but starting Forbes is the way to go as the Spurs begin the season.