3 NBA teams whose stocks are skyrocketing, 3 that are fading fast
By Cal Durrett
Fading NBA Team #1: San Antonio Spurs
Despite having a one-in-a-generational prospect and a terrific group of young players, the San Antonio Spurs appear to be worse than they were last season. That is really saying something considering that they went just 22-60, had the second-worst record in the NBA, and boasted the worst defensive rating in league history.
They’ve struggled to get potential superstar Victor Wembanyama the ball in the right spots for him to succeed and have been starting power forward Jeremy Sochan at point guard, with disastrous results. That move has hurt their offensive potential as San Antonio keeps getting clobbered. They have the worst point differential in the NBA this season and have lost by at least 40 points twice in their 10 games.
Fortunately, for them, they are only 3-7 thanks to three close wins against the Houston Rockets and Phoenix Suns, making it easier to rebound from an ugly start. Starting Tre Jones would help a lot since their offense has been far better with him on the floor than with Sochan running the point.
However, coach Gregg Popovich appears willing to keep Sochan at point guard even with his team’s struggles thus far. That raised doubt about whether they will be able to make the playoffs or play-in tournament this season.