3 Critical areas where the San Antonio Spurs must improve this season

After an optimistic start to kick off the season, the San Antonio Spurs have stumbled a bit. With three consecutive debilitating losses to the Toronto Raptors, Indiana Pacers, and New York Knicks, they will look to rebound against the Minnesota Timberwolves in their In-Season Tournament debut on Friday. Amid all the excitement of watching a team led by Victor Wembanyama, here are some adjustments this young ball club should make going forward.

1.) Reduce the defensive damage when Wemby rests

It has been incredible to witness the sheer talent and athleticism of Wembanyama, especially defensively. The impact he has on the game is undeniable. When the franchise player is on the court, the Spurs have a rock-solid defensive rating of 116.6. However, everything falls apart when he takes a seat, with that number skyrocketing to 128.1. To put things into perspective, that's even worse than the historically porous defense San Antonio registered last season.

San Antonio must have a reliable plan for when their standout rim protector is on the bench, as every team with a superstar faces this challenge. The Spurs seem to be able to maintain their offensive pace, which is crucial. Perhaps considering a shift in reserve rotations could be a viable way to compensate for the absence of their rookie sensation. A step up in production from someone like Charles Bassey or having Jeremy Sochan play more minutes with the second unit could help.

2.) Stop allowing so many wide-open three-pointers

Opponents facing the Spurs have routinely exploited the miscommunication between their perimeter defenders on screens and switching actions, leading to a high volume of uncontested threes. In the modern NBA, this can be particularly devastating. San Antonio has allowed the highest number of open three-point attempts this season, and teams are shooting an impressive 40.9% from beyond the arc when they face this inexperienced squad.

Devin Vassell and Wembanyama are exceptional defenders who can expertly navigate screens and contest long-distance jumpers. For the Spurs to avoid having a lackluster defense that ranks at the bottom of the league, their entire roster must focus on improving their screen navigation to contest shots more effectively. This area is critical to shoring up their defense, and it can make a significant difference in their overall performance.

3.) Run the offense through Victor in the fourth quarter

The Spurs have averaged 20.4 field goal attempts in the fourth quarter this season. Wembanyama has only accounted for 3.9 of those shots, and San Antonio should prioritize playing through their star, especially during late-game situations. The French phenom has gone an outstanding 70.4% from the field in the final. While developing their young supporting cast requires reps and patience, building around a true franchise centerpiece should be the top priority for this organization.

Despite what some people might tell you about his teammates, they are not intentionally ignoring Wembanyama. The real issue is that most of them have never suited up alongside a player of his caliber. It will take some time for them to get used to feeding someone who stands 7-foot-3 and can score from virtually anywhere on the court. Figuring out when, where, and how to find your superstar in late-game situations and doing the little things to get him open are the next steps for this club.

The corrections the Spurs must make are definitely achievable. However, as the youngest team in the league, it is only natural for San Antonio to experience challenges and growing pains. Though the arrival of Wembanyama makes this one of the most exciting seasons in franchise history, fans should still be realistic about their ceiling. It is perfectly fine to acknowledge these shortcomings while keeping your fingers crossed that they will make the necessary adjustments to improve.