Stephon Castle has already made a massive leap nobody saw coming

The Spurs have been one of the best defensive teams in the league this year, and there are a handful of reasons for that. As we've learned over Victor Wembanyama's first two seasons in the league, it takes more than an extraterrestrial to maintain a strong defensive performance throughout a game, let alone a season. Others have to step up, and Stephon Castle has been one of the main culprits.

To Sam Vecenie's point, San Antonio's second-year combo guard is averaging 1.7 steals per game. He fully understands the style of defense he needs to play with such a dynamic rim protector behind him, and he has the tools to maximize that game plan. Victor Wembanyama creates his own protective barrier around the basket that extends further than anyone else's. That adds a unique advantage.

It empowers you to play with more physicality and anticipation. Jump that passing lane, try to pick the ballhandler's pocket, or cut off an entire angle, funneling him into the help. When Jeremy Sochan was in the starting lineup last season, he guarded every opponent's best perimeter player, and he did a fantastic job. This year, that's Castle's role, and he hasn't missed a beat.

The Spurs should be forcing more turnovers

Given the pressure that Area 51 puts on opposing offenses, there should be more steals. The team has improved tremendously, don't get me wrong. They have a top-five defensive rating. But that extra element of disruption is still missing. Castle is the only player on the roster averaging nearly two steals a game.

The Spurs have five players who are only averaging one. Last season, they were 12th in steals with 13.8 a night. They're 14th this season with 8.7. To give them some additional credit, the Silver and Black are scoring more points off turnovers this year than they did previously, despite not forcing as many. That's a credit to their improved ability to execute fast-break opportunities—something else Castle thrives at.

San Antonio still operates at one of the slowest paces in the league, ranking in the bottom 10. That doesn't stop them from being one of the best fast-break teams in the league. Steph has been a master at operating on the run, either finishing the basket himself or making the perfect pass to a teammate for a high-percentage shot.

It's clear that Alamo City has another star growing before our eyes. The former UConn champion has raised his numbers almost fully across the board. His points, assists, rebounds, steals, and field goal efficiency are all up. Sure, it may take the three-point shooting a little longer to come along, but with a work ethic like he's already shown, are you seriously going to doubt him? I wouldn't.