Spurs' three-guard lineup can take Billy Donovan's OKC blueprint to another level

Billy Donovan brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the San Antonio Spurs' coaching staff, including a unique familiarity with managing a three-guard lineup. He did that for the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2019-2020 season. While this Spurs backcourt could adopt what worked for that squad, their size and athleticism give them a much higher upside.

All offseason long, it was impossible to ignore the conversation about how Mitch Johnson will manage his guards. Dylan Harper, Stephon Castle, and De'Aaron Fox bring a lot to the table on their own, but finding a fit between them is the challenge. How can they operate on the floor together?

With Coach Donovan in the mix, they could take a page from that Thunder team's book to craft a formula for success. Simultaneously, they can add a new dimension with their unique physical attributes and skill set.

The Spurs' guard trio can be a better version of the Thunder's

The Thunder's three-guard setup functioned so well because Chris Paul, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Dennis Schroder found ways to contribute with and without the ball.

That's exactly what Harper, Castle, and Fox must do, but their physical gifts make them more dangerous on those off-ball plays. Each has a unique combination of strength, size, and quickness, so they can swiftly cut behind lackadaisical opponents or tussle and bully their way to the interior against physical defenders.

This applies on the other end as well. The Thunder's trio was great defensively, and the Spurs can leave an even bigger mark on that side of the floor. Castle and Harper are big guards who can make it tough for opponents to score, and Fox can use his quick hands and long arms to agitate ball handlers and pick off steals.

So the Spurs' three-guard lineup can excel in the same areas as that 2019-2020 Thunder team did, while taking things a step further with their physical advantages. While Paul, Gilgeous-Alexander, and Schroder were great together, they didn't have that unique edge that Mitch Johnson's crew does.

The Spurs can also take on OKC's clutch gene

That Thunder guard trio also excelled in the clutch during that 2019-2020 season, doing an amazing job executing down the stretch. This played a huge part in them earning a playoff spot and pushing a tough Houston Rockets squad to seven games in the first round of the playoffs.

The Spurs' backcourt should carry that same gene, and their experience in the NBA Finals is a huge plus. That battle against the New York Knicks gave them a lesson in late-fourth-quarter poise that they'll bring into this season. Adding that composure to their ability to each create their own looks will make them one of the most dangerous clutch teams in the NBA.

So this Spurs team hired the right man to help them manage their three-guard lineups in Billy Donovan. They can take what that Thunder team did to the next level with their unique blend of size, quickness, and athleticism.

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