Ranking standout performers necessary for Spurs' playoff run to end with a trophy

The San Antonio Spurs' playoff debut is right around the corner, and the team is prepping for a first-round matchup against the Portland Trailblazers. As the series begins to wind up, I wanted to rank the top five most important players for the team if they want to make a deep run for the first time since 2017.

The Spurs have been winning by committee all season with seven players averaging double figures in scoring, and that elite depth needs to carry into the playoffs.

It's key to know that postseason impact goes beyond the most talked-about statistics such as scoring, assists, and rebounding. The marginal things become even more important, and that will be heavily reflected on this list.

#5: Devin Vassell

Devin Vassell was so underrated throughout the season for the San Antonio Spurs. He made a blistering 38.4% of his looks from downtown, one of the best marks on the team.

As things slow down and there's more emphasis put on half-court offense, Vassell's spacing will be huge. We could see a lot of possessions where defenses load up on Wemby, maybe even throwing some soft double teams at him. This could force them into rotation, leaving Devin with open looks that he can drain at a high clip.

He can also create shots at a reliable level, which will be important if the Spurs run into scoring droughts and need emergency offense. I believe he's the most underrated player on this roster, and his impact is much needed for San Antonio's playoff run.

#4: Keldon Johnson

The key to a deep playoff run is having an elite spark off the bench. If there are situations where the Spurs' starting lineup gets off to a rough start, getting good production off the reserves is such a key component to reversing the momentum and keeping the game well in reach. KJ is the best man for that job.

He's a Swiss-Army Knife player whose impact goes beyond his scoring. Sure, he's great at that with his ability to get downhill and space the floor. But he's also dynamic when it comes to crashing the defensive and offensive boards. There are just so many ways he can impact the game for San Antonio in big moments.

His rebounding especially stands out. Look, playoff games can be won or lost on the boards. There have been countless times where a team can get a good defensive possession but can't corral rebounds, leading to extra scoring chances. This is where KJ can make a huge impact.

#3 Stephon Castle

Through the season, we watched this second-year guard grow in so many facets of the game, but what stood out the most was his elite perimeter defense. He was amazing at the point of attack throughout the year, taking on some tough assignments.

The Western Conference is stacked to the brim with elite shot creators like SGA, Luka Doncic, and so many others. Deploying Castle on these players will be a huge difference maker. Just being able to force them into tough looks or turnovers can be a determining factor in so many games.

Additionally, he provides a ton on offense. His shooting will be tested, without a doubt. But his playmaking will be imperative when it comes to the Spurs finding efficient scoring opportunities.

#2 De'Aaron Fox

It was mentioned earlier: in the playoffs, half-court offense is emphasized to such a high degree. While the Spurs were great with their half-court execution this season, it's a trend that has to continue into this next level.

Fox's shot creation is going to be huge. He's the only starter on this team with playoff experience and is also the most reliable when it comes to getting his own looks. Similar to Vassell, Swipa's impact will be felt the most in clutch situations or when this team just needs a pick-me-up during scoring droughts.

He sacrificed a lot this season, which did wonders for the development of Castle and Harper, but he needs to get a bit selfish this postseason as a scorer. Having a guy who can break defenses down off the bounce is a must for any championship hopeful.

#1: Victor Wembanyama

Does it get more obvious than this? Wemby's the best two-way player in the entire league, and if he doesn't play well, the Spurs can kiss their title hopes goodbye.

His defense is the big highlight here. He does so much on the interior, but he's also been underrated when guarding the pick-and-roll.

He's also great with his ability to cover ground. Opponents can beat him off the bounce, but he can recover and chase down their shot. He can also split the difference between guarding shooters and helping on drives to the rim.

Here's the big picture. Opposing coaches need to get very meticulous and creative with how they plan to counter Wemby's defensive impact. Just as we've seen it with Rudy Gobert over the years, teams are going to get very strategic with how they try to neutralize him on that end.

Of course, the gravity he creates on offense will be huge, along with his three-point shooting. The MVP hopeful needs to be at his best if the Spurs want a real shot at a title in their first playoff appearance of the Wemby era.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow