Spurs finally on the verge of silencing most frustrating argument against them

We're 12 days from the start of the NBA playoffs, and the Spurs will be making their return as a franchise to the tournament for the first time in seven years. While that's undoubtedly exciting for the fan base, it means this group doesn't have any experience, and there has been a little too much focus on that from the public. It's the only thing naysayers have against this ball club, and it's overblown.

The Spurs have more than enough to shock the NBA world

Teams need three traits to get through a playoff series: toughness, intelligence, and resilience. Experience isn't necessarily a prerequisite. It's merely a mechanism to help teams obtain the aforementioned qualities. Many simply don't know what it takes to win games that intense in an atmosphere that demanding until they've been there.

That just doesn't feel like this team. Does Victor Wembanyama strike you as the type to shy away from the moment? I don't get that sense. He has "playoff riser" written all over him, and when your leader embraces that spotlight, the rest of the guys usually go along for the ride.

The playoffs are where great players become legends, and the Alien has been clear about his desire to reach the peak of the mountain. Fans, media, and hate-watchers alike should be prepared for some monstrous games with insane stat lines from him.

If he didn't back down from LeBron James, Steph Curry, and Kevin Durant on a global stage at the Olympics in 2024, don't expect it when he's standing across from Devin Booker or Kawhi Leonard in the first round. Leadership will determine what happens for the Spurs in the postseason, and San Antonio's is strong because, and I can't believe I'm going to quote Kendrick Perkins, experience is overrated.

The Spurs' talent will take over in the postseason

At the end of the day, it's just basketball. It's just a more intense version of the sport, but they didn't look phased by what they just went through in Denver. That was a rabid atmosphere, and there were several times when the Nuggets ramped up their ferocity to the exact levels we'll see in the playoffs. Yet San Antonio pressed on.

They lost that game because sometimes you lose games to great players on their home floor, not because of some sort of inadequacy. They controlled the lead for the vast majority of the contest and looked pretty good doing it, despite an off day from De'Aaron Fox, Keldon Johnson, and Stephon Castle. Together, they combined to go 0-16 from three, and the Spurs still only lost by 2 points.

They can't get experience until they play the games, and they're about to get that opportunity. Their talent will lift them up while they learn on the fly. It should be more than enough to get them through the first series. This team has been fantastic at taking the knowledge they've gotten and applying it quickly, so they'll be off to the races after that. Then the sky is the limit.