Full Spurs Post All-Star break primer: Play-in odds, 2nd half outlook, & more

I'm not really sure why everyone refers to the All-Star Break as the halfway point of the season. That moment passed in January. There are only 30 games left. But I do get why it's a good time to take a look at the team before the last stretch of the season, so instead of being the arbiter of change, I'll acquiesce to the industry standard and break down San Antonio's state at the "halfway" point of the season.

Spurs outlook post All-Star Break

The Spurs have 30 games left to make a play for the postseason. They have a 23-29 record and eight back-to-backs remaining, so this Rodeo Road Trip better have done its job to bring everyone together, propelling a win streak because time is running out. The guys are in the 12th seed behind the Phoenix Suns at 11 (26-28) and the Golden State Warriors at 10 (28-27).

The Sacramento Kings are tied with the Warriors but sit in the ninth spot. The Mavericks are eighth (30-26), and the Timberwolves are seventh (31-25). San Antonio's best shot at the postseason is the Play-In Tournament. These teams are all within reach, so the Silver and Black must get on their horse and run them down.

There are only 15 home games remaining, but two of them are in Austin, and as a rule, everyone should understand: Home games are not home games if you are playing in a different arena. While the fans are a large part of home-court advantage, it's not the only thing that determines what it classified as a home game.

Last month's game in Paris is another example of that. The fans overwhelmingly supported San Antonio, but if the players are forced to change their routines, travel further, use different facilities, etc., it is not a home game. But let me get off my soapbox and move on. The point is this: the Spurs have their work cut out for them, so hopefully, they're ready to meet the challenge.

San Antonio stat leaders

Points per game

Victor Wembanyama - 24.3
De'Aaron Fox - 21.6
Devin Vassell - 15.9

Rebounds per game

Victor Wembanyama - 11
Jeremy Sochan - 7.2
Charles Bassey - 4.6

Assists per game

Chris Paul - 8.1
De'Aaron Fox - 7.8
Victor Wembanyama - 3.7

Free throw %

Chris Paul - 94.6%
Julian Champagnie - 90.6%
Malaki Branham - 85%

3PT %

Sandro Mamukelashvili - 43.6%
Harrison Barnes - 41.8%
Malaki Branham - 39.6%

Steals per game

De'Aaron Fox - 1.8
Chris Paul - 1.3
Devin Vassell - 1.2

Blocks per game

Victor Wembanyama - 3.8
Charles Bassey - 0.9
Jeremy Sochan - 0.5

Questions the Spurs must answer

Will Coach Popovich return for the long haul?

Probably the most important question for San Antonio right now. The leader of the team hasn't been there for months, and fans have noticed the effects of his absence. Coach Popovich's health will always be the most important thing, and nobody is going to suggest he returns before he's ready. At the same time, we can acknowledge how much this team misses his stewardship.

Can Devin Vassell prove his value?

As time goes on, Vassell's expected role continues to decrease, and he has nobody to blame but himself. He initially showed the potential to be a strong number two, but now fans are wondering if he can be a three or four. The fifth-year guard needs to string together some impressive performances to help this team win games, or his future with the organization could change quickly.

Did the Spurs get any of their role players right?

Zach Collins is already gone, and the Spurs hoped he would start next to Wemby. Tre Jones has also exited the building. Half of the fan base has turned on Keldon Johnson, and Devin Vassell isn't far behind. Jeremy Sochan plays his role well, but not according to a loud section of Spurs Nation. But the criticism comes because there are no breakout games for anyone—almost never, unless it's Wemby.

San Antonio must take a hard look at these guys and decide if they deserve to have the rope extended another rung or if they need to just rip the bandaid off and start dealing for better players.

What would success for Spurs look like now?

If the Spurs can reach and hold onto the 10th seed, this season can be considered a salvaged one. Some fans never expected this team to make the playoffs in the first place, but once they started winning games, that expectation should have shifted. Nobody should have been predicting a collapse. I could see a struggle throughout, but they showed up and played better than people thought they would.

Once you establish a standard, you're supposed to keep it up. It's why lazy people sandbag their jobs. The moment they show a better effort, they'll be expected to maintain it, and they don't want that pressure.

Well, this team showed a great effort early in the season that led to winning games many thought they shouldn't have. They have the leading DPOY candidate and leading ROY candidate, then added De'Aaron Fox. They need to recapture their earlier effort and make their way to the Play-In Tournament. If they do that, this season will be considered a success.

Spurs Play-In Tournament odds

FanDuel: +200