The new NBA season is closing in, and it will be here before you know it. By late September, all teams will be in training camp, where rotations get set and starting lineups will be finalized in preparation for another 82-game slate.
The Spurs will likely roll with the same unit they used last season, with the possibility of exchanging Julian Champagnie with Tobias Harris. Either option leads to the same reality: San Antonio might just have the most well-rounded starters in the league. They're definitely in the top three.
Not every player is elite at everything, but there's a wide gap between "elite" and "trash." There's no obvious weak link for opponents to hunt or sleep on. Nobody should want to play them because it's truly pick-your-poison when teams face the Silver and Black.
The Spurs can hurt you everywhere on offense and defense
Victor Wembanyama is one of the most dangerous lob threats in NBA history. His incredible length puts immense pressure on defenses to keep him out of the paint, but he can also knock down threes, so if he has it going, you're at his mercy.
He didn't average 25 points per game by accident.
The Alien also happens to be the first-ever unanimous Defensive Player of the Year. Enough said.
De'Aaron Fox just proved he doesn't need to dominate the ball all game to provide the downhill pressure he's known for. Swipa averaged about 26 PPG before joining the Spurs, and he showed that scoring prowess more than a few times last season.
He's an underrated team defender who generally doesn't even have to guard the best ball-handlers. When he's had to guard guys like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, he's made them work.
Stephon Castle dropped a couple of 30-point triple-doubles like he was prime Russell Westbrook. Only he's showing more capable shooting ability at a much younger age. Steph is mastering the art of getting his own and setting up his teammates.
He's a multi-layered threat, giving defenses fits, via improved three-level scoring and elite passing.
As far as his defense is concerned, he's one of the best perimeter defenders in the league. There are no ifs, ands, or buts about that one.
Vassell and Champagnie complete an unusually balanced five
And then you have the two true wings.
Devin Vassell can hurt opponents from anywhere on the floor. When Wemby and Castle were out, and Denver stood in SA's way to the next round of the NBA Cup, Vassell dropped 36 points. He's no stranger to big nights.
Dev got back to playing tough, physical defense after letting it slip for a season or two. The Georgia native has also turned into a playmaker on that end, getting steals and blocks on guards and bigs alike.
And if you lose sight of Julian Champagnie, he might just rain eight threes on your noggin. The St. John's product dropped 20 or more points nine times. That means Champ was bound to have a big night once every nine games or so. He's the fourth or fifth option in that lineup, so that's a pretty high number.
JuJu isn't the defensive playmaker like some of the other guys, but he's still good on that end. Like Fox, he's a good team defender, and there's no advantage to singling him out.
Some of the best teams in the NBA have weak points in their starting lineups. Isaiah Hartenstein's offensive game is limited to a push shot, so he hurts OKC's spacing. Denver has bad defenders everywhere. Even New York has personnel who are pretty weak offensively.
San Antonio doesn't have that issue. Their combination of creation, shooting, size, and defense is unusually complete. They have five players who force opponents to pick their poison. It's an incredible advantage that the Spurs will beat teams over the head with this season.
