In a not-so-shocking announcement, the NBA revealed the Western Conference Player of the Week to be Victor Wembanyama. San Antonio's superstar has started his third season by averaging 33 points, 13 rebounds, six blocks, two assists, and nearly two steals per game. He's the only player in league history to put up 100 points and over 15 blocks in his first three games of a season.
Luka Doncic had a fantastic opening week, so I wasn't positive Vic would get it, but I'm also not surprised. Not too long before the announcement came down, I was looking up some Spurs stats and stumbled upon the five-man lineup data. Turns out the Silver and Black have the third-best unit in the league of any group that has played at least 25 minutes together.
It's a small sample size, but it, along with Wembanyama's Player of the Week award, confirms what our eyes are telling us about this team.
The Spurs may be the best team in basketball
We have to remember that Stephon Castle is playing slightly out of position right now. It's not that he can't be the primary offense initiator, because he can thrive in that role in small doses. The former UConn champion, however, is better suited as an off-ball guard, so when De'Aaron Fox comes back, you'll see an even better version of him.
San Antonio's best unit so far has been the starting group of Stephon Castle, Devin Vassell, Julian Champagnie, Harrison Barnes, and Victor Wembanyama. But Jules has only shot the ball well once over the first three games, and Barnes has yet to have even an okay offensive game. Replacing one of those guys with D. Fox should only elevate the net rating of this lineup.
When you marry the reality of the struggles that at least two members of the Silver and Black's starting unit have had with Wemby's PoW award, you understand why that lineup is so dominant. Victor Wembanyama swings things that much, but fortunately, Castle and Vassell are coming along for the ride.
Steph has struggled with turnovers, but he's played fantastic defense, and he's scored the ball efficiently, averaging 17 points, six rebounds, and five assists on 53% shooting. Dev has been lights out. He's also averaging 17 points per game, but he's also shooting at a 45% clip from three, and his defense has been outstanding. He's regained his pre-surgery form, and the Spurs are much better for it.
In addition to Fox, this team has yet to add their second-best defender, Jeremy Sochan, and their other free agent signing, Kelly Olynyk. They should be back soon enough, and if Mitch Johnson pulls all the right levers, the Spurs might land at number one on the NBA's power rankings way faster than anyone ever expected.