Harrison Barnes spoke with Clutchpoints and revealed his message to the team ahead of a very important summer. "The biggest thing for a team that wants to make a jump is the commitment level," he said. He couldn't be more right. Most of the conversation surrounding San Antonio's projected improvement has centered on outside acquisitions, but there's something the players under contract can do starting now.
It's easy to assume that all NBA players work hard because they've made it to the pros, and to some extent, that's true, but there are levels of consistency. The truly elite teams have players who work relentlessly on the skills that make them valuable in their role. Upping your game when nobody is watching is important.
The players who are truly worth their contracts are the ones who continue to sharpen their skills to become better players. You don't want guys who stay the exact same every year. That lack of commitment can sabotage a team's true potential, and Barnes knows it. That's why he just had a career year at age 33, and it's the leadership the Spurs hoped for when they acquired him.
The Spurs will get out what they put into the offseason
As it stands, most people expect San Antonio to make trades, so not all the players will be on the team by the time the next season begins. Until that happens, we'll act as if everyone will return.
Devin Vassell must improve his consistency. He was projected to be a significant threat with his outside shot, but its potency is fleeting. His offseason regimen must revolve around correcting that. If he does that and gets back to defending at the level expected of him when he was selected with the 11th overall pick in the 2020 draft, he'll take the Spurs up a notch.
Consistency is the name of the game for most of SA's roster. Keldon Johnson finished the season strong, but it was a rough start. Hopefully, he's continued to work on his three-point shot. It looked much better the last couple of months of the year.
He picked his driving spots well, too. If he starts next season similarly to how he finished this one and pays closer attention to his defensive responsibilities, he could win Sixth Man of the Year.
Jeremy Sochan knows what he needs to work on, and we know that he's doing it because he shared it with us recently. His shooting form needed fixing, so he's been working on it. He also needs to improve his handle and finishing ability when contested at the rim. If the work he's putting in pays off, San Antonio will have one hell of a weapon because his defense is already stellar.
Julian Champagnie hasn't gotten much attention this season, but that's because he didn't have high expectations coming in, and he rose above them. There's not much to complain about with Jules, but everyone can improve, and his finishing ability could stand to see some work, too.
He's a streaky shooter, but better than most on the team. He'll need to continue that trend, and if he ups his percentage just a tick, that would benefit the Silver and Black drastically.
These all sound like small adjustments, but they require consistent drilling and focus. They must take their roles seriously if they're to contribute to winning.
Victor Wembanyama and De'Aaron Fox will be ready to go. Their demeanor as players tells us that they don't need motivation. They're already determined to get better; to win. If the role players step up to the challenge of commitment, winning is exactly what comes next.