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When you're a young team, you need ample opportunities to learn together. Trial and error are a staple in the growth and maturation process. It can be difficult to do that when you're getting blasted night after night by some of the best teams in the league. According to powerrankingsguru.com, the San Antonio Spurs have played the second-most difficult schedule in the NBA to date.
There is a saying that "iron sharpens iron," but this young team has barely forged into copper as it is and they have already faced the likes of Boston, New Orleans (2x), Phoenix (2x), and more of league's most formidable teams including the reigning NBA champion, Denver Nuggets. Fortunately, the Silver and Black get a bit of a break from the NBA's elite in 2024's first month.
According to https://t.co/1sbXyRNe6w, the Spurs will play the 27th-ranked strength of schedule in the NBA. A welcome development, for sure.
— Jah (@JahlilWill) January 2, 2024
The Spurs should take advantage of January's NBA schedule
The NBA is full of talent in all brackets of its competitive hierarchy, so no team can be taken for granted. That should already be apparent from the 17-game losing streak the Spurs suffered earlier this season. (Apologies for the trauma reminder) Since Wembanyama's move to the center position, his already impressive numbers only increased but the piece 210's finest has needed to shine brighter is Devin Vassell and recently, he has begun to do just that.
Devin Vassell has averaged 20.8 points, 4.0 boards, 4.0 assists, and 3.3 steals on .492/.414/.875 shooting splits over his last four games.
— Noah Magaro-George (@N_Magaro) January 2, 2024
Hoping he can build on some of his recent momentum as the Spurs kick off the New Year with games against the Grizzlies, Bucks, and Cavs.
Victor Wembanyama has been the clear-cut best player on San Antonio's roster thus far this season, and that should not be the case. At the very least, there should be a question between him and Devin Vassell, but the recently extended shooting guard has been inconsistent with his production. Maybe a lesser slew of opponents will help him get him into the rhythm the Spurs believe he is capable of. That will be needed to turn the season towards an ending, providing optimism.