Shocking Devin Vassell truth only real Spurs fans will admit

Devin Vassell is proof that a little patience can go a long way in the NBA. The Georgia product was much maligned last season after seeing the worst struggles of his young career. That was probably unfair if we're being honest about it. He's having his best year now, and his rise to elite role player is one of the biggest reasons the Spurs are having one of their best starts in franchise history.

Dev was showing consistent progress every season. He was one of the fan favorites, and, aside from Keldon Johnson and Victor Wembanyama, there was nobody more beloved. When he lost his offseason due to a late foot surgery last summer, we should have shown him more grace. His inconsistencies during the campaign were predictable. He's human.

That's not what happened, though. Fans were demanding he be dealt to another team, and publications like our own were writing up mock trade scenarios. I'm very glad that we don't make those decisions. Vassell has been outstanding this year, and he'll continue to be a vital part of San Antonio's new era.

Vassell has made himself indispensable to the Spurs

Everyone knew this team needed outside shooting to make their rotations work. De'Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle, and Dylan Harper want to get downhill and put pressure on defenses, so having a reliable outlet to kick out to when they collapse is one of the first steps to making the offense difficult to stop. Vassell is having a career year from deep, knocking down 40% of his seven attempts per game.

When the opponent sees those shots falling, now they're scrambling to deny those three-point attempts, emphasizing protecting the paint and the outside of the arc. That's where his masterful midrange game comes into play. Analytics tell us that the long two-pointer isn't a great shot, but it's a phenomenal one when it's the only look available, and it goes in.

I thought his desire to get to those difficult shots might be a hindrance to the offense, but it's been a valuable asset, so I was wrong. I'll gladly admit that. Dev is putting up 16 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and half a block per game. The efficiency is there. Not to mention, he has the potential to put 30 on your head. Just ask the Nuggets.

The ex-Seminole has also regained his strong defensive form. It was one of the reasons he was drafted in the lottery, projecting as the prototypical three-and-D wing that most teams covet. He was a stud on that end at the beginning of his career, but that part of his game tailed off a bit as his offense improved. In his sixth season, he's put it all together, and now, he looks better than ever.