The San Antonio Spurs entered the 2024-25 NBA season with hopes of making the playoffs or Play-In Tournament, but Gregg Popovich’s stroke, Victor Wembayama’s blood clot, and De’Aaron Fox’s finger surgery all stood in their way. Unlike other disappointing seasons around the league, the Spurs’ lackluster effort wasn’t their fault.<\/p>\n
Of course, there were plenty of bright spots. Jeremy Sochan had a hot start to the season and remains the most versatile player in the NBA, and Stephon Castle is the runaway favorite to win Rookie of the Year.<\/p>\n
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On top of that, Keldon Johnson became one of the very best bench players after the All-Star Break and re-established himself as a key role player for the team moving forward.<\/p>\n
With Wembanyama and Fox both out, some Spurs were thrust into larger roles, and they certainly made the most of it.<\/p>\n
“I feel like as the season went on, I was more confident and not second guessing myself when I see reeds and just stuff like that overall,” said Castle. “So I feel like just as the season went on, it was just a constant progression.”<\/p>\n
Castle had an individual season worth celebrating, and the Spurs as a whole showed progression as a team both before and after Wembanyama had his season ended.<\/p>\n
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“I think we’ve definitely done a lot of good stuff from, even if you look from last year, we had some really good games as a team,” said Sochan. “So again, it’s super exciting and I think everyone’s super motivated and ready to keep growing and keep meshing as a team, as an identity in the culture.”<\/p>\n
The Spurs are expected to be back in force next season, and there are plenty of reasons for fans to be optimistic heading into 2024-25.<\/p>\n
Check out the Inside the Spurs home page<\/a> for more news, analysis, and must-read articles.<\/p>\n Related: ‘Hungry’ Wembanyama, Fox Urge San Antonio Spurs to Target One Key Free Agent<\/a><\/p>\n