3 teams Spurs are better than in spite of their record

The NBA season will soon be coming to a close without a bang for the San Antonio Spurs. The Silver and Black have secured themselves in the lottery yet again after what has been an abysmal year despite drafting their cornerstone, Victor Wembanyama. The year began with so much promise and optimism only to be jolted into a reality of realization; no matter how generational a player is projected to be, he will still be young and he will need time to grow into the force he is meant to be.

The other epiphany that struck while watching this team lose game after game was that a team positioned to pick number one in the draft is likely not ready to compete at a higher level just because they select that very young generational talent. Understanding that may help one realize how much patience should be afforded to the Spurs, but at the same time, it does not make it any easier to watch your team lose so many games.

2-1-0's finest are 14-53, and it is hard to peel something positive out of that but sometimes, the record does not tell the whole story because although this team is bad, it is not the "top 2 worst team in the league" bad. At this point, the season has been relegated to 'feel good' moments and moral victories in anticipation of tangible success on the horizon. Since misery loves company, fans can appreciate that it could always be worse.

3. Portland Trail Blazers (19-47)

On January 6, the Spurs took on the Blazers in a head-to-head matchup at home. The result of that game was a San Antonio victory 116-100, giving them the 2-1 advantage for the season's series. The Blazers have the third youngest team in the league. It is no coincidence that some of the league's youngest teams struggle with consistent production on both sides of the floor.

Portland is ranked 28th in offensive rating and 21st in defensive rating, compared to a 27th offensive rating and 23rd defensive rating for the Silver and Black. The margins are close in those aspects, but their best player is Jerami Grant, and while he's a good player, if Grant is the best player on your team, you cannot expect the team to go too far in a league this talented.