Underrated Spurs duo set important precedent in Trail Blazers series

There was so much to be excited about with the Spurs' Game 1 win. The atmosphere was nostalgic, Wemby was dominant, oh, and also, De'Aaron Fox and Devin Vassell did exactly what they needed to do.

They combined for 32 points against Portland while draining six three-pointers. While this isn't the most intriguing set of numbers, they were still necessary for that victory, and that will continue to be the case as the series advances.

The shot creation these two provide is an important cog in the machine that is the San Antonio Spurs. This team cannot survive in the long term without the offense of Vassell and Fox, and that was demonstrated in Game 1.

Devin Vassell was impressive in his playoff debut

Vassell is the most underrated player on this Spurs roster, and it isn't close. He's a complementary scoring option who is comfortable with creating his own looks and can also make shots off the catch, playing off of other teammates.

His scoring arsenal is a huge need for the Spurs in the postseason, and that couldn't have been more apparent in Game 1. The Blazers stayed in the game for most of the second half, but some key Vassell buckets kept San Antonio ahead, making it a constant uphill battle for the away team.

He hit some key catch-and-shoot jumpers and also made big plays on the defensive side of the floor. Look, he's not going to light things up this postseason with a ton of 25+ point performances; that's not his role. Nonetheless, that scoring punch that he gives the Spurs is a must-have for a deep playoff run. He made an amazing initial impression.

De'Aaron Fox showed why the Spurs signed him

There is a reason Fox's contract got extended this offseason by San Antonio. While we all recognize he wasn't going to have the same offensive priority as he did in Sacramento, he still brings an important set of skills to the table for this group.

He is the best shot creator on the roster and also does well as a lead ball handler, slowing things down if the Spurs get out of control. He did just that in Game 1. He found scoring opportunities off the dribble while setting up teammates for easy looks, posting eight assists.

Additionally, he kept control of the ball, going the entire game without a single turnover against an aggressive Blazers defense. Mature offensive creation from the guard spot is a must for any team with lofty playoff expectations, and Fox gave that to the Spurs in Game 1.

This team can't survive a long postseason without the scoring that Fox and Vassell provide. We got a good dosage of that early on, and hopefully it's a long-term trend for the Spurs moving through the rest of this series.

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