Dwight Powell is back for his 27th season.
From the web, about the Spurs.
Spurs added Chris Paul, Harrison Barnes also drafted Paul’s eventual successor, Stephon Castle, with the No. 4 pick in June’s draft.
It’s Year 2 for Victor Wembanyama and Year 20 for Chris Paul, who almost always makes teams better when he first puts on their uniform. But it could be a tough climb for the Spurs in a deep Western Conference.
Preseason takeaways
1. Devin Vassell (right foot surgery) has been out and will miss the start of the regular season, with Julian Champagnie appearing to be his replacement in the starting lineup. He can’t replicate Vassell’s skills off the dribble (he made seven pull-up jumpers all of last season), but Champagnie shot 16-for-38 (42%) from beyond the arc in the preseason.
2. The Spurs (who ranked 13th in total zone possessions last season) played the second most zone in the preseason, according to Synergy tracking. Zone, of course, is a way to keep Wembanyama near the basket … on defense, at least.
Something to watch in Week 1: Wembanyama’s shots. In the preseason, the 7-foot-3 guy took only nine (43%) of his 21 shots in the paint, at least in part because he settled for jumpers instead of attacking the basket. Last season, that rate was 51%, which is still too low. He’s 7-foot-3! Get him the ball near the hoop.
The Spurs were 1-7 in games played between the three Texas teams last season, and they’ll begin this one with three games against the Mavs and Rockets (x 2), with a rest advantage against Houston on Saturday.
ESPN
NBA Title odds.
Surprised OKC is a 'consensus' second favorite to win it all. Mavs seem to be fourth favorite in the West, just after the Wolves... go figure.
Absence.
Spoiler:
I'm sure its a legit medical related issue.