Pelton: Spurs have started 4-0 given their weak early schedule

[Uriel]

Kevin Pelton: Of the four unbeaten teams entering play on Tuesday, three were in the lottery five months ago. It's not terribly surprising that the Spurs have started 4-0, given their weak early schedule (four games against 2025 lottery teams) and Wembanyama's early success, but the 76ers haven't needed much contribution from Embiid in their strong start, and the Bulls have already knocked off two aspiring East contenders.

More generally, as Todd Whitehead of Sportradar pointed out Tuesday, last season's bottom 12 teams had a better record through the first week than the top 18 from a season ago. Some of that is schedule-related. Because of marquee national TV games, contenders are more likely to play each other early, leaving recent lottery teams easier slates. Even accounting for that, there has been unexpected parity.

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[dn0774]

First step to becoming a good team is reliably beating the teams you're supposed to beat. We haven't done that in some time which is what makes our start promising. Winning games without our 2nd best player is also a good indicator.

 

[brazil]

In retrospect its easy to say weak schedule... starting at mavs in the opener was not a weak schedule

 

[DTW]

Exactly. Point differential is another good indicator.

Already seeing goal post moving from some of the national media, who seem to be now grading them on a a championship contender scale, when it was supposed to be a playoff one.

Either its their ego because their "model" didn't like them, personal or both.

 

[Shmurs]

They’ve started cratering at certain points in the last few games, which isn’t great. Sort of similar to what we’ve seen over the last couple years where no matter how great a start we have, it’s only a matter of time before the lead disappears.

But at the same time, what’s been successful against the weak teams will also work against the good ones. It’s not hypothetical whether or not our guards can drive or if nobody scores in the paint on Vic. We’re going to be a tough out for every team. But we also have guys overcome by the bright lights still and lose their way during games pretty often, so it’s gonna be a little more dicey than Bill Simmons may think.

Fox might actually fix the whole losing composure thing tbh. He’s not going to start panicking because he’s getting pressed like castle has been. And Harper’s only going to get the ball more. I dunno…I sort of think this is sustainable with Fox and Kornett

 

[LeBowen]

Imagine caring about ESPN in 2025.

 

[bozhemoi]

They’ve started cratering at certain points in the last few games, which isn’t great. Sort of similar to what we’ve seen over the last couple years where no matter how great a start we have, it’s only a matter of time before the lead disappears.

But at the same time, what’s been successful against the weak teams will also work against the good ones. It’s not hypothetical whether or not our guards can drive or if nobody scores in the paint on Vic. We’re going to be a tough out for every team. But we also have guys overcome by the bright lights still and lose their way during games pretty often, so it’s gonna be a little more dicey than Bill Simmons may think.

Fox might actually fix the whole losing composure thing tbh. He’s not going to start panicking because he’s getting pressed like castle has been. And Harper’s only going to get the ball more. I dunno…I sort of think this is sustainable with Fox and Kornett

It's the NBA, pretty much every team is going to make runs. And in basketball it's hard to keep leads as opposed to other major sports. It's a learning process to douse opposing runs and keep things going, and getting guys back for depth will really help. Fox will be a massive help, concentration, experience.

 

[bozhemoi]

Imagine caring about ESPN in 2025.

The Spurs have a weak schedule? Okay, writer, sure. I won't disagree.

But the Sixers have faced Charlotte, beat a Boston team without Jason Tatum by one point, beat a struggling Orlando team, and nearly got dunked by a bad Washington team before Washington Washingtoned all over the place.

The Bulls have been more appealing, beating the same struggling Orlando team, an uncertain Hawks team, and a Pistons team slow out of the gate.

Not saying any of them have faced great competition, but Dallas was probably the best out of the lot. There's just no consistency in the analysis.

 

[spurraider21]

In retrospect its easy to say weak schedule... starting at mavs in the opener was not a weak schedule

theyve turned out to be a weaker team than many anticipated. they have looked inept even outside the spurs game.

right now Dallas is 1-3 with a win against Toronto, who themselves are 1-3. and then pelicans are 0-3 and nets are 0-4

 

[thiste]

It's the NBA, pretty much every team is going to make runs. And in basketball it's hard to keep leads as opposed to other major sports. It's a learning process to douse opposing runs and keep things going, and getting guys back for depth will really help. Fox will be a massive help, concentration, experience.

100%, there are situations that you have to experience and keeping a lead + our cool isn't something this group has had a lot of experience in, so this is good reps even if it looks ugly at times. I can imagine us going through the same issues in the playoffs (if we reach them). Normal process, really.

 

[Bones]

good that it's an easier schedule while a third of the rotation is out

 

[jeebus]

Don't care about the weak schedule. Gives time for players like Fox to heal up, and for the guys playing to actually be happy. If you start of the season 1-3 because you're still shaking off the rust, that doesn't do anyone good.

 

[JingleJangleJingle]

Playing Bismack Biyombo is enough of a handicap tbh

 

[brazil]

theyve turned out to be a weaker team than many anticipated. they have looked inept even outside the spurs game.

right now Dallas is 1-3 with a win against Toronto, who themselves are 1-3. and then pelicans are 0-3 and nets are 0-4

true

 

[JJSPUR]

Don't care about the weak schedule. Gives time for players like Fox to heal up, and for the guys playing to actually be happy. If you start of the season 1-3 because you're still shaking off the rust, that doesn't do anyone good.

Agree. A win early counts the same in the overall standings as a win late in the season. The only win against a minimal talent team was against the nets. The other wins came against teams that will probably do better than they did last year. At this point any win is a good win.

 

[KobesAchilles]

last season we would’ve collapsed when the other teams came back. Beating bad teams is what good teams do. It’s a strange argument from him. Just looking ahead at the schedule and I have us at 20-10 on our first 30 games

 

[spurs10]

This is the same yahoo that said the Spurs would finish 11 in the West. Probably not liking these wins much because it make him look like he doesn't know what he's talking about.