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Despite losing to the New York Knicks in five games in the NBA Finals, the San Antonio Spurs remain one of the most feared teams in the league heading into next season.
After being a young team trying to prove it could be a contender, they have evolved into a proven powerhouse led by Victor Wembanyama, who has become one of the most unstoppable forces in NBA history.
Wembanyama arguably suffered the most barren stretch of games he’s ever had during the Finals, leading to a lot of criticism, and, frankly, he still has much more to prove as a franchise superstar. Regardless, rather than viewing the Finals defeat as a setback, NBA legend Tracy McGrady believes it could become the turning point for Wembanyama and the Spurs.
“If I look at the NBA right now, we're only two months removed from the championship and free agency hasn't completed yet, I would put my money on the San Antonio Spurs presently constructed,” McGrady said.
An even better Wembanyama?
It’s easy to see why McGrady is confident that the Spurs can return to the Finals. Their young core remains intact with Wembanyama, Dylan Harper and Stephon Castle, as well as a veteran presence with De’Aron Fox and their new signing, Tobias Harris.
However, as talented as the Spurs are, their chances of truly surpassing their expectations rest largely on Wembanyama, who McGrady strongly believes will become even better against the backdrop of the biggest disappointment of his career so far.
“Because of the disappointment I think that happened to them this year, because of Wemby's performance in the Finals, I'm sure he's not happy with the way he played,” McGrady said. “So that's going to motivate him in the offseason to even kick it up another notch.”
“I'm sure he's going to come back bigger and stronger. I'm sure he's hearing where he needs to operate for him to be the most effective for his team. So, all this stuff is coming into play to build this creative player that's going to come back stronger,” he added.
Throughout NBA history, the biggest failures have always led to the greatest players stepping up. Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant and LeBron James have all returned stronger after early playoff setbacks.
Many, especially McGrady, believe Wembaynama is in the same vein as these greats, and it’s evident why. He has consistently shown an eagerness to improve every weakness in his game, even going so far as to train with monks at a Shaolin temple.
Add the fact that he is being trained under the Spurs system, which prioritizes development above all, and there is no denying that the French phenom will, even if it sounds absurd, become more dominant than he was during the season when he was third in the MVP voting and a Defensive Player of the Year.
“He's going to win Defensive Player of the Year. He's gonna win MVP. He's gonna win the In-season Tournament MVP. He's going to sweep,” McGrady shared.
“So for me, I think because he's going to be motivated and they had a big let down and disappointment this year, I'm going San Antonio Spurs to be right back in that position to win a championship,” he continued.
Can the Spurs return to the Finals?
The Western Conference heading into next season is shaping up to be as competitive as ever, if not more so. The Oklahoma City Thunder are still one of the league’s deepest young teams and will most definitely adjust to the Wembanyama problem they encountered during the Conference finals.
The Nikola Jokic-led Denver Nuggets also remain dangerous, while the Minnesota Timberwolves have revamped their roster, bringing in LaMelo Ball to support Anthony Edwards.
There is also a question of how the Spurs can get over the New York Knicks, who exposed the small but decisive weaknesses they had in the Finals. With the defending champions keeping most of their core intact — other than Mitchell Robinson leaving for the Boston Celtics — we may see a Finals rematch next season.
Ultimately, Wembanyama is the only person who can truly answer whether the Spurs can return to the Finals. As heartbreaking as the defeat against the Knicks was, it still showed that he can lead the Spurs to the top. And if he returns stronger, healthier and more determined than ever, then San Antonio may find itself right back on the biggest stage with another opportunity to finish what they started.
