Spurs sent a strong message to Blazers the NBA can’t ignore

It might not seem like it, but the San Antonio Spurs just passed their first major playoff test. By taking a decisive 2-1 series lead, the Spurs sent a clear message to the rest of the NBA. Without star Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio pummeled a feisty Blazers team 120-108 while on the road in the playoffs.

Beating a team that won just 42 games in the regular season at home normally isn't a major accomplishment. Especially for a team that won 62 games in the regular season.

However, for the young Spurs, it is. Critics have pointed to their lack of experience as the reason why they aren't a true contender.

What critics fail to realize is that with each passing playoff game, this team gains valuable experience. After all, they aren't being thrown into the deep end to start the playoffs.

The Spurs just passed their first major playoff test

The Silver and Black can work their way up to better playoff opponents. First going through the Blazers, then the Minnesota Timberwolves or Denver Nuggets, and finally the Thunder ahead of hopefully a trip to the NBA Finals. That, of course, assumes the Spurs make it that far.

The Silver and Black are off to a good start considering they are currently without their best player and playing a pesky team. After all, Portland is the definition of a scrappy team. The Blazers wouldn't have made the playoffs without the play-in tournament.

However, they are above average defensively and have an all-NBA caliber player in Deni Avdija. That's not exactly the profile of a typical seventh seed, and San Antonio being up in the series is promising all things considered.

The Spurs are gaining playoff experience as they go

Winning Game 3 without Wembanyama gives San Antonio more leeway in case they stumble in Game 4. No matter what, the Spurs are gaining playoff experience as they go.

Hopefully, by the time they face the Nuggets or Wolves, they will be far better prepared to go up against a more experienced playoff team. If they are, then their talent should win out.

That's bad news for the rest of the NBA, who would not only have to worry about the Thunder as a true title contender but also the Silver and Black. Especially with them gaining much-needed playoff experience with every game they play this postseason.

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