Vassell's bold statement on next year's Spurs is inspiring... and correct

You wouldn't have been able to tell that San Antonio lost a game last night based on Devin Vassell's facial expression in his postgame press conference. He looked comfortable and content. Not because he's okay with losing but because he's optimistic about the future, and he's right to feel that way.

The Spurs were beaten handily in Detroit 122-96, but fans shouldn't be evaluating what they're watching by wins and losses at this point in the season. Vassell struggled to find his form for a large portion of the season, but he's regained it just as the Spurs faithful were beginning to question him.

Dev dropped 26 points on 10-21 FG and 50% from three on 12 attempts. He's been stacking good performances since the start of March, re-establishing himself as the threat everyone thought he would be when the Spurs extended him. They're down their best players, and it's already tough to win in this league, so Vassell is keeping a positive perspective while being enthusiastic about the future.

Vassell has every reason to be optimistic about the Spurs next season

This team may frustrate fans to no end when they don't play up to their capabilities, but we've seen encouraging signs from the players all year. Vassell's resurgence was a major piece of the puzzle that San Antonio missed when the games meant more, but better late than never. He's always demonstrated the talent to be a major focus of opponents' defensive game plans.

Stephon Castle struggled in the first half but bounced back in the second, reminding viewers why fans are so excited about his growth. He didn't make a shot in the opening two quarters, only to finish the game with 19 points on 7/15 from the field. That means he went from not being able to make a shot to not being able to miss one. That's a fighter spirit that should excite the base.

Detroit didn't have Cade Cunningham, but even without the former number-one pick, the Pistons have a good team. They were at the bottom of the league last season, one of the few teams with a record worse than San Antonio's. Their rise should inspire the Spurs because it's proof of how quickly things can turn around.

Victor Wembanyama will be entering his third season, and he'll be motivated to dominate after having his sophomore year cut short. Players projected to be as great as Vic don't like to be taken off the floor.

If the Spurs get somewhat of a scorched Earth version of the Alien next year with a healthy team around him, they'll finally take that leap fans have been waiting for. He and De'Aaron Fox will put unbelievable pressure on defenses, and Vassell will be right alongside them, raining threes and making teams pay for their mistakes. It's going to be lovely.