Analysis GRADES: 2/23/2026 Spurs 114 @ Pistons 103

[scott]

Scott's Notes:

• The highest stakes game this team has ever played, alongside the Cup semifinal v. OKC, and as such I have graded on a curve. This was a tough, physical game, not some December matchup against the Kangz... it was tough, it was physical, the crowd was insane and the lights were bright... and our boys once again proved we belong on the stage.
• Let's start with Wemby... I can't imagine a more dominating performance that comes in a 6 for 16 wrapper. When we talk about the league's best players, most of them "dominate" through eye-popping stat stuffing games... but Wemby dominated this one not by how he filled up the stat sheet but rather how he completely wrapped the space-time of this game around him, like a supermassive black hole devouring entire galaxies. If this doesn't put him squarely into the MVP conversation, I don't know what the conversation is even about anymore. There was been prior talk of whether Wemby was "ready" to carry this team... and I think that question was answered for me last night, and quite resoundingly so.
• Mitch was masterful and showed a few things to me. 1) He's growing alongside the team as the season wears on, which is what you want to see out of a young head coach. 2) All the complaints people had about rotations, Wemby minutes, etc, seem to be going to the wayside as we transition from early and mis-season basketball to post ASG ball where things simply matter more. It's a long season, and I think what we've seen up to now is a reflection of that long haul and how there needs to be pacing, just like a marathon runner does come sprinting out of the gates.
• Dev and Champ, absolutely huge tonight. Big Game Dev continues to show up in these moments, I can't wait to see him in the playoffs. I think Champ has the same kind of fearlessness in him as well. I love this wing pairing alongside Wemby in the frontcourt.
• I graded Fox much higher than consensus, and frankly I'm not sure what game you guys were even watching. His scoring was off, but he controlled the tempo of the game for us throughout and his impact was evident as you look at the +/- game story. We didn't lose a stretch with Fox on the court. Him baiting Cade into his 4th foul was a critical turning point early in the 3rd that really changed the complexion of how we attacked them and allowed us to take the lead we never relinquished. I have a long post specifically about Fox in the game thread (that is very fresh, so on the last page as of right now) if you want to read and discuss more on that.
• CB only played a few minutes, but they were quite impactful. Had a big block, hit a huge 3, delivered a hard foul and let DET know we weren't going to be punked.
• We have them again a week from Thursday... will be quite interesting to see what adjustments are made and to see them with Beef Stew back in their rotation.

What You Said:

• @LeBowen - Great team win, we're not scared of these physical matchups that don't have enough firepower.
• @Correct Crusader - This game was like when you play intramural ball in college against a football/soccer team that are super physical but can't shoot for shit
• @Rafa - Don’t want to hear Wemby slander, that was a monstrous defensive performance despite the O struggles. Winning a game like that when your two all stars can’t get anything to do down is such a joy to see, boys showed up and massive props to Vassell the big game assassin.
• @heyheymymy - Don't doubt Devin.
• @NotoriousHOP - Physical play my ass. That was assault brother. Wemby should take an STD test considering how much the Pistons were in his jersey and shorts. Credit to him for continuing to put the work in despite the silent whistles.
• @spurraider21 - Wemby - 4: He was a monster defensively in the 2nd half and particularly the 4th quarter, and completely warped the game. Still, felt like he was getting punked and he wasn't really overcoming the physicality on the other end. Blew some bunnies and putbacks. Castle - 5: Clamped Cade and got in his head, while giving them plenty back on the other end Vassell - 5: Played solid defense but his shotmaking was aboslutely essential. Big Game Dev Champagnie - 5: 17 efficient points, 6 rebounds, 2 blocks, 1 steal, and just 2 turnover. Sometimes the stats do tell the story. Made a great play in transition defense. Fox - 2: Along with Wemby. really struggled with the physicality, and his midrange/outside shot wasnt really there. He was ok defensively and his handling/passing was solid enough, but he struggled. Carter Bryant - 4: Played a short time, hit a nice contested 3, blocked Cade once. He committed 3 quick fouls which fortunately didn't backfire and lead to an inordinate amount of FTs. But one of the few guys who just thought F it, lets push back against these guys
• @spurs10 - This win meant a lot to me especially as I watched Detroit play such a low-brow way. Even their coach was acting unethically. But we won and they lost. I thought all our starters were very strong and gave them scores accordingly. Appreciate KJ standing up against Cunningham's cheap move.
• anon - Wemby getting that A despite not shooting that well. His defensive presence is out of this world. Jaw dropping. Great way across the team how they handled Detroits physicality.
• @brazil - I had forgotten what a Spurs contender team look like... feels good
• @Fabbs - Only saw late 3rd qtr on. Like how Spurs responded to Pistons b.s. and closed.
• @Mugen - Need these Devin & Champ performances in the playoffs tbh, they were special
• @mazerrackham - Despite both having not pretty stretches, this is another case of 5s for Vic and Castle solely on suffocating defense. Impressive stuff from them. Detroit's offense was really struggling in large part because of those two plus good team defensive cohesiveness.

 

[mazerrackham]

I'll contribute to the Fox discussion coming from somebody who maybe graded him a little bit too low as a 3. I don't disagree with many of your points @scott and it's probably good to keep in mind, but my counter-point is that this was pretty on-par for my expectations for a general Fox game, hence my 3. I think he was good in the ways that you stated. He controlled the game well, didn't make many mental mistakes, he definitely applied downhill pressure and the back to back plays on Cade and getting that foul were probably his most impactful moment in the game. He also left a lot of points on the table for shots that he normally makes pretty reliably. Many on the team did, tbh, outside of the outside shooting our inside finishing was less than average. Credit to the Pistons defense for that.

However, even though his defense is fine, he's not a game-bending impact on that end, and so when his 4th quarter impact is 2 points, one rebound, one assist, a missed 3, and 2 missed FTs, I think it's not too far-fetched to think his game was somewhat average. Not that I think you should grade based off only 4th quarter, just a sample of crunch-time impact.

Just in case in needs to be said (I hate that it does) - I like Fox and I don't spend my time worrying about his contract. His play this season has pretty much alleviated any concerns with our 3 guards fitting together. I think all 3 have been great and Fox is the single-biggest reason for that as he's been doing what the team needs/asks like I think is the spirit of a lot of your points. I do grade everyone on an expectation curve and I think it's fine when somebody like Fox steps back and lets Vic and Castle be the stars without hindering that, it's great for the team, but it doesn't necessarily mean he played a masterful game worthy of a lot of praise, either, it just means he didn't get in the way and that's perfect!

 

[spurraider21]

i gave Fox a 2. his defense was fine, but he also was rarely tasked with guarding anybody of note. but other than a couple of nice drives to open the 3rd quarter, his impact was rarely felt, and he was probably the player least able to counter the physical tone of the game. he cant power through contact, so when whistles were swallowed, he was screwed, and wasnt really finding ways to help. 4-17 is nasty work, and he also bricked two of his four free throws

the only reason he didnt get a 1 was because he was still pretty careful with the ball and handled it well. against these aggressive defenses like OKC and DET, avoiding turnovers is the way to go, and Fox was solid there.

 

[scott]

I'll contribute to the Fox discussion coming from somebody who maybe graded him a little bit too low as a 3. I don't disagree with many of your points @scott and it's probably good to keep in mind, but my counter-point is that this was pretty on-par for my expectations for a general Fox game, hence my 3. I think he was good in the ways that you stated. He controlled the game well, didn't make many mental mistakes, he definitely applied downhill pressure and the back to back plays on Cade and getting that foul were probably his most impactful moment in the game. He also left a lot of points on the table for shots that he normally makes pretty reliably. Many on the team did, tbh, outside of the outside shooting our inside finishing was less than average. Credit to the Pistons defense for that.

However, even though his defense is fine, he's not a game-bending impact on that end, and so when his 4th quarter impact is 2 points, one rebound, one assist, a missed 3, and 2 missed FTs, I think it's not too far-fetched to think his game was somewhat average. Not that I think you should grade based off only 4th quarter, just a sample of crunch-time impact.

Just in case in needs to be said (I hate that it does) - I like Fox and I don't spend my time worrying about his contract. His play this season has pretty much alleviated any concerns with our 3 guards fitting together. I think all 3 have been great and Fox is the single-biggest reason for that as he's been doing what the team needs/asks like I think is the spirit of a lot of your points. I do grade everyone on an expectation curve and I think it's fine when somebody like Fox steps back and lets Vic and Castle be the stars without hindering that, it's great for the team, but it doesn't necessarily mean he played a masterful game worthy of a lot of praise, either, it just means he didn't get in the way and that's perfect!

I think these are all valid points and if this were a run of the mill game against the Kings or Wizards, I would have been leaning more towards a 2 or 3 grade. I think your 3 grade is very fair, and it only became a 4 in my eyes because of the high stakes environment and the physical conditions this game was played in. There was a stretch when he was just outright being mauled and the refs just stared at him with their hands in their pockets. Two in particular come to mind: Paul Reed just ripping him to the ground by the neck and shoulders when Fox actually had a good box out position on the offensive glass, and one of Fox's two TOVs was when he was driving into the lane and Daniss Jenkins just two hand pushes Fox to the ground from behind and they called Fox out of bounds as a result. If the game is going to go like that, then everyone is at a disadvantage and I personally apply a little bit of a curve for "degree of difficulty" to use a term from the Olympics.

 

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

Thanks for compiling this Scott.

This is the kind of game that gives me the "Spurs Culture" warm and fuzzy vibes, and that it's alive and well with this young group. A very unselfish, hard fought, motivated, team win. Impressive.

I've been excited to see the evolution of Victor into the guy that is ok doing all the little things to make his team win. The guy who plays within what is given to him. The guy that can be off on offense and doesn't let it get into his head a little bit. The guy who reads the other team is throwing at him and knows what adjustments to make to put his team in position to win. Victor played within the system, stepped up when it mattered most, made so many incredible defensive plays and adjustments, didn't force his shot, found his teammates, and just "quietly" and calmly dominated (as "quiet" as a 7'6" guy who's blocking everything in his path, and adjusting every shot the other team takes can be).

This performance from Wemby was Duncan-esqu last night. He and his teammates played an unselfish yet relentless brand of basketball that was pretty damn impressive. This game stands out as a monumental statement in his evolution in how he's identifying how he can impact winning. I didn't see him force shots, or try to do too much. He let the game come to him last night. He's trusting his teammates and they're trusting him. It was a hard fought, beautiful win.

My hopes prior to the season were for the Spurs to make the playoffs, play hard, maybe push a team to a game six or seven in a well-played series, get that learning experience needed to develop the playoff level intensity needed to advance, and come back stronger next year. I'd still call that a win for the year as of today, albeit a disappointing one, because this team is showing there ceiling could be much, much higher, sooner than most (including me) thought going into the season.

If I have a fear, it's that this team is looking so good, that I hope they don't peak too early. We're still not in March, which is when the "old regime" would start to tighten the screws. Maybe this team still has a higher notch left to go to be at full throttle, and there just starting to tap their potential.

 

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

Personally I was OK with the 4 for Fox. He led the team in +/-, and was a steadying force for the offense. I think he was positively impactful on the game last night.

 

[onechance87]

Would love carter bryant to get more mins sum how.

 

[mazerrackham]

I think these are all valid points and if this were a run of the mill game against the Kings or Wizards, I would have been leaning more towards a 2 or 3 grade. I think your 3 grade is very fair, and it only became a 4 in my eyes because of the high stakes environment and the physical conditions this game was played in. There was a stretch when he was just outright being mauled and the refs just stared at him with their hands in their pockets. Two in particular come to mind: Paul Reed just ripping him to the ground by the neck and shoulders when Fox actually had a good box out position on the offensive glass, and one of Fox's two TOVs was when he was driving into the lane and Daniss Jenkins just two hand pushes Fox to the ground from behind and they called Fox out of bounds as a result. If the game is going to go like that, then everyone is at a disadvantage and I personally apply a little bit of a curve for "degree of difficulty" to use a term from the Olympics.

Yeah that short period of time he was getting mauled for sure. I did almost give him a 4. Anyway I feel like you're partially arguing for the fans that are already talking about trading Fox away, and that's fair. You don't have to convince me of that. Thanks for your perspective/analysis either way.

 

[mazerrackham]

Thanks for compiling this Scott.

This is the kind of game that gives me the "Spurs Culture" warm and fuzzy vibes, and that it's alive and well with this young group. A very unselfish, hard fought, motivated, team win. Impressive.

I've been excited to see the evolution of Victor into the guy that is ok doing all the little things to make his team win. The guy who plays within what is given to him. The guy that can be off on offense and doesn't let it get into his head a little bit. The guy who reads the other team is throwing at him and knows what adjustments to make to put his team in position to win. Victor played within the system, stepped up when it mattered most, made so many incredible defensive plays and adjustments, didn't force his shot, found his teammates, and just "quietly" and calmly dominated (as "quiet" as a 7'6" guy who's blocking everything in his path, and adjusting every shot the other team takes can be).

This performance from Wemby was Duncan-esqu last night. He and his teammates played an unselfish yet relentless brand of basketball that was pretty damn impressive. This game stands out as a monumental statement in his evolution in how he's identifying how he can impact winning. I didn't see him force shots, or try to do too much. He let the game come to him last night. He's trusting his teammates and they're trusting him. It was a hard fought, beautiful win.

My hopes prior to the season were for the Spurs to make the playoffs, play hard, maybe push a team to a game six or seven in a well-played series, get that learning experience needed to develop the playoff level intensity needed to advance, and come back stronger next year. I'd still call that a win for the year as of today, albeit a disappointing one, because this team is showing there ceiling could be much, much higher, sooner than most (including me) thought going into the season.

If I have a fear, it's that this team is looking so good, that I hope they don't peak too early. We're still not in March, which is when the "old regime" would start to tighten the screws. Maybe this team still has a higher notch left to go to be at full throttle, and there just starting to tap their potential.

What a great team win for sure. Unselfish, not backing down, rising to the occassion. This game has me ready for the new period of Spurs playoff basketball. After that short drought, we ready to feast again

 

[elpimpo4cc]

Season officially a success for me. +500 wemby is now a winner