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Silver & Black Scraps, Hong Kong (2026)

02/03/2026

Half a quarter left, down by 21, and we’ve been getting bullied since midway through the first. There’s no coming back from this. And finally the Spurs faced its one of the most heavily lopsided losses thus far this season.

This game completely exposed the limits of running 3-guard or 4-guard lineups (Fox, Castle, Harper, Vassell). The Knicks play a physical and gritty style. Their wings smothered our offense. Everybody find it extremely difficult to get a bucket inside, except Harper who managed to spark anything by bullying Shamet and Brunson on mismatches for a couple of tough plays.

Defense was even more of a train wreck. We had no choice but to collapse the paint, which kept Wemby glued to the rim. He couldn’t venture out because if he did, the Knicks would’ve feasted on offensive boards and shredded us with simple screens and cuts. That’s exactly how the Knicks flipped a 12-point deficit into a steady double-digit lead in the first half.

When the Spurs finally adjusted by packing the paint and trying to rotate out to shooters, the Knicks just had an easier time. If our guards didn't close out, it was a wide-open practice shot. If they did close out, the Knicks just swung the ball or used a pump-fake to drive.

We couldn't rotate fast enough, we were gassed, and we got lit up from deep. Even when they missed, we couldn't get a fast break going. We were forced into a half-court grind where we couldn't score, leading to a ton of contested shots.

Takeaway 1:

Wemby is definitely improving. Even though his point-forward attempts and top-of-the-key turnovers make me want to barf, he’s learning to adjust mid-game. He cut back on the post-ups, set more screens, and rolled to the rim, which boosted his efficiency. The biggest hurdle for his offensive evolution is finding ways to get the ball into the paint, and he’s finally realizing that. Hopefully, he figures out his handles eventually, but you can't ask for much more from him tonight.

Takeaway 2:

We need wings! The Spurs are at least one wing away from being a real team. Those wings like Mikal Bridges or OG Anunoby would be a dream for us. Barnes is washed. While our imminent hope is to develop Carter Bryant as a competent wing, the front office may need to spell their magic in this off-season to fill the vacuum of a high-potential 3/4 tweener.

26/02/2026

A quick review on the Spurs win over the Raptors today. It was a real nail-biter, finally clinch to win the Raptors by three points after overcoming the 15 points deficit late in Q3 of the game.

The Spurs played smart against Toronto's defense, which can be pretty solid with guys like Jakob Poeltl anchoring the paint, Barnes and Quickley buzzing around.

San Antonio focused a lot on their guard play to keep the offense flowing, especially since Wemby wasn't clicking early. Instead of forcing everything through him as the main screener right away, they leaned on their three guards (De'Aaron Fox, Dylan Harper, and Stephon Castle) to probe the defense and create chances. Coach Johnson loves rotating these guys, sometimes running one at a time as the point guard, other times mixing two or even all three together to keep the energy high and confuse opponents.

The guards took over to make one-on-one magic happen. Fox, with his speed, was great at driving into gaps, drawing help, and either finishing or kicking out. Harper came off the bench and was a spark, dropping 15 points on efficient shooting (7-of-11), plus 7 assists and 5 boards. He's got that smooth handle and vision, so he'd isolate against slower Raptors defenders, use a quick crossover to get an edge, and either pull up for a jumper or dish to an open teammate. Castle was key in transition and spotting up—like hitting a corner three late in the third to kick off a 17-2 run that flipped the momentum.

The idea here is simple: these guards are athletic and can break down guys one-on-one without needing a big screen every time. If the Raptors doubled Wemby or played drop coverage to protect the rim, Fox or Castle would use their quickness to blow by, forcing rotations and opening up drives or kick-outs.

This win highlights how the Spurs becomes a guard-driven team that doesn't rely a lot on Wemby to carry the load every possession. Johnson's mixing and matching those three guards gives them flexibility, especially in tough comebacks like this. It's fun to watch them grow, and if they keep this up, they're gonna be a headache for a lot of teams.

23/02/2026

Back to business after the all-star break, and it’s a great time to break down where the Spurs stand in the West.

After taking down the Kings, the Spurs have kept their winning streak alive and officially hit the 40 win mark. The last time the Spurs finished a regular season with a win rate of 70% or higher was the 2016-17 season. It was the year led by Kawhi Leonard before he was taken down by Zaza in the Western Conference Final. It's been nearly a decade since we’ve seen the Silver and Black play at this elite of a level.

After those two "pseudo-home" games in Austin, the team is now diving straight into five-game road stretch, the remaining of Rodeo Road Trip. They will play against Eastern Conference heavyweights eg NKY and Detroit.

Thanks to an 8-game winning streak and some shaky play from teams ranked 3rd through 6th, the Spurs have a 5-game lead over the 3rd-place Nuggets. That’s a nice safety net to have. The path isn't easy for the Spurs, but it’s harder for others. The Nuggets have the toughest remaining schedule (ranked 1st), and the Timberwolves are 3rd. Meanwhile, the Spurs’ remaining schedule ranks 8th—tough, but manageable compared to our direct rivals. One notable point to note is that the Thunder, currently ranked no. 1 in Western Conference, has the second toughest remaining schedule. We are currently breathing under Thunder's neck.

The West has clearly split into three distinct tiers following the trade deadline:

The Elite (1–6): A high-stakes battle for seeding. The Spurs are firmly in this group, but the 3–7 spots are so tight that a several games skid could easily send a team tumbling into the Play-In tournament.

The Middle (6–10): A dogfight just to stay in the post-season conversation.

The Bottom (11–15): Full-on "Tank Mode" for draft picks.

Look forward to the tracks of us, Thunder, Nuggets, Rockets, Lakers, and Timberwolves.

12/02/2026

After dodging a season sweep against the Warriors, though they catch the timing with Step Curry sitting out, the Spurs are heading into the All-Star break sitting No. 2 in the Western Conference. The Spurs are currently at 38W 16L, and hold a 4-game lead over the injury-ridden Nuggets.

With 28 games left and the 9th toughest schedule ahead, it's actually a sad win that Fox didn't make the All-Star team as he gets a much-needed break. Don't expect him to sit on a beach in South Bay, but at least he doesn't need to deal with the media and all-star competitions.

While Mitch Johnson has to lead an All-Star team, the front office can take this precious opportunity to look at the following -

1. Anti-shooter defense: after a loss to the Hornets and a narrow win over the Warriors with Curry sitting out and Butler on season-ending injury, the Spurs really need to think about its defense against elite shooting teams like the Warriors or Suns to avoid a surprise early playoff upset. They need to work on perimeter defense.

2. Unleashing Carter Bryant: getting the rookie consistent minutes is key. His recent growth has surprised the Spurs community, and will likely determine how deep this team can actually go in the postseason.

09/02/2026

The Spurs still firmly stay at no. 2 of the western conference. I see quite many spurs fans having been criticizing the management and Fox for the over-priced contract.

To make it straight, from my point of view, it's not that we’re paying second or third-tier players top-tier money. Rather it's that first-tier players come to the Spurs and get utilized like role players.

Look at DeMar DeRozan. Before he joined us, he was a 28-point-per-game guy, All-NBA, an All-Star. He gets to San Antonio, and suddenly he’s forced out of his natural shooting guard spot to play the 3 or even the 4. His scoring drops to 21 a night, and his trophy cabinet stays empty. Then, the second he leaves? Boom. Back to 28 PPG, All-NBA, and All-Star honors.

Now we’re seeing it with Fox. He was a 26 PPG bucket-getter before this. Now he’s barely scratching 20. On one hand, it fits Phil Jackson’s "Cake Theory": there's only so much usage to go around. If Fox eats less, the "Young Three" (Wemby, Castle, Harper) get to eat more. But honestly? Dropping him to under 15 shots a game is a bit extreme. You won’t find many Max-contract players in this league taking that few shots.

And don’t give me that "he’s just coasting for the playoffs" line. I don’t buy it. You can't expect a guy who isn't taking the big shots in the regular season to suddenly transform into a cold-blooded savior in the postseason. If you pin your hopes on that and he doesn't explode in the playoffs, the fanbase is going to turn on him fast. We’re grinding the young core now so they can step up in the playoffs. I’m putting my expectations on whether playoff-newbies like Wemby, Castle, Harper, KJ, and Vassell can over-perform when the lights get bright.

Let’s Look at the Stats

People claim Fox isn't in the same tier as guys like Anthony Edwards or Jalen Brunson. Look, outside of the "top five" superstars, Fox might be a hair behind Ant and Brunson, but the gap is tiny.

Check the volume, Ant & Brunson: 20.7 field goal attempts (tied for 4th in the league). Fox: 15.2 attempts (ranked 45th).

Seriously, when have you ever seen a Max player with that little "share of the ball"? And it’s not like he’s being inefficient:

🔴Offensive Rating: Fox is at 116.2. (Ant: 118.9 / Brunson: 121.9).
🔴Defensive Rating: Fox is actually better at 111.4 compared to their 115s.
🔴Net Rating: Fox (4.7) is higher than Ant (3.9) and Jalen Brown (4.5), and way ahead of Luka (0.9).
🔴True Shooting: Fox and Brunson are identical at 58%.

The point is: Fox isn't struggling, he's just not shooting. He’s proven he can carry the load when leading a team solo. He’s just following the "Cake Theory" and feeding his teammates. It’s working for the team’s record, and that’s great, but let’s stop acting like he’s "washed."

You can't give a guy the 45th-most shots in the league and then complain that he isn't a top-20 scorer. If he could pull that off, he wouldn't just be De'Aaron Fox—he'd be prime Jokic or KD. Right now, he’s 45th in attempts and 34th in scoring. He’s doing exactly what he’s asked to do.

29/01/2026

In a tightly contested matchup between the San Antonio Spurs and the Houston Rockets, tactical adjustments and defensive versatility ultimately tipped the scales in favor of the Silver and Black. While the Rockets leaned heavily on their stars, the Spurs utilized a deep rotation and a high-IQ defensive scheme centered around Victor Wembanyama to dismantle Houston’s rhythm in the last quarter. Here is my sharing on the tactical breakdown :

1. The First Turning Point: Exploiting the Weak Link

The first shift in momentum began at the end of the third quarter when Reed Sheppard entered the game. The Spurs targeted Sheppard on almost every possession, particularly through Keldon Johnson, who used his physical strength to repeatedly drive into the paint and score over him. Even Alperen Sengun was pushed around on a few plays. Because Sheppard failed to punish the Spurs with his three-point shooting on the offensive end, Houston’s lead evaporated almost instantly.

2. The Decisive Strategic Shift: Neutralizing the Stars

The second—and most critical—turning point occurred in the fourth quarter when the Spurs completely overhauled their defensive strategy:

a) Wembanyama was assigned to guard Amen Thompson, sagging off him by two steps. The logic was simple: if Amen hits the shot, so be it; if he passes, Wemby is already in position to help-defend Kevin Durant or Sengun.

b) Stephon Castle took on the primary assignment of guarding Durant, while Harrison Barnes battled Sengun inside, with Wemby providing elite weak-side help.

This defensive shell left the Rockets looking completely lost. Ime Udoka’s offensive tactics were lackluster—relying on "Sengun isolation" or "Durant isolation" with almost no off-ball movement or complex sets. The Spurs maintained their defensive formation perfectly, always keeping a long-armed defender in the secondary layer. This made every touch grueling for Durant and Sengun, while Amen Thompson looked bewildered, unsure of his role on the floor.

On the other end, Wembanyama ramped up his aggression, constantly attacking the Rockets' interior to break the game open.

3. Depth and the Center Dilemma

The third turning point came in the final five minutes. The Spurs had the confidence to sub in their rotation players, giving their starters a breather for the closing moments. In contrast, the Rockets were forced to ride their starters into the ground.

The Spurs' fresh bench unit effectively broke the Rockets' spirit. Harper utilized simple high-screen actions to drive into the paint, scoring four or five consecutive times over Sengun, who couldn't stop a single attempt. This highlighted Sengun’s defensive limitations at the center position. However, if he slides to the power forward spot alongside a rim protector like Capela, the Rockets' offensive spacing becomes nonexistent.

Overall, it is a big win for the Spurs. Hope the Spurs can clinch the second in western conference before the all star break!

19/01/2026

The Evolution of an Alien: Victor Wembanyama’s Tactical Pivot

Just review some of the footage in recent matches, after a period of "forced" development where Wemby prioritized physical isolation plays from the free-throw line, he appears to have entered a new, more lethal phase of his career.
From the "Nail" to the Perimeter

Earlier this season, the coaching staff seemed intent on "hard-coding" a traditional big-man game into Wembanyama’s repertoire. He was frequently seen demanding the ball at the "nail" (the center of the free-throw line) to initiate one-on-one isolations. While this built his post-up muscle, it often looked laborious, and his three-point shooting was largely reserved for wide-open looks.

However, recent performances suggest he has made adjustment to the play style, from the style earlier this season to a blend of his rookie-year "volume shooting" and his newly acquired mid-post strength in recent three matches. He is no longer waiting for the perfect look; he is pulling up from deep with decisive confidence, using his 8-foot wingspan to simply shoot over defenders who are powerless to contest.

Data Proves the "Explosive" Efficiency

The eye test from the Spurs faithful is backed by staggering numbers from his most recent three-match stretch in mid-January 2026.

The most jarring change is his perimeter aggressiveness. After averaging roughly five three-point attempts per game to start the season, he has nearly doubled that output, launching 9.3 attempts per game over the last three contests. Far from being "reckless" shots, his accuracy has surged to a blistering 42.8% from deep during this span.

Why the "Hybrid" Style is Unstoppable

This adjustment serves three critical purposes:

(1) Gravity and Spacing: By threatening the basket from 28 feet out, Wembanyama forces opposing centers to abandon the paint. This "unshackles" the Spurs' offense, creating driving lanes for teammates.

(2) Energy Conservation: Wrestling for position at the free-throw line every possession is physically draining. The "pop-and-shoot" three-pointer allows him to score efficiently without the constant wear and tear of physical double-teams.

(3) The Triple Threat: Now that defenders must respect his long-range jumper again, they are increasingly prone to biting on pump fakes. This allows Wembanyama to put the ball on the floor and return to that free-throw line area where, as one fan noted, he is now "basically automatic."

Wembanyama isn't just playing harder; he’s playing smarter. By combining the brute force of a seven-footer with the fearless trigger of a guard, he is becoming the "positionless" nightmare for the league.

31/12/2025

The Reality Check: 3-Point Woes and the "Two-Step" Slump

After the high of our 8-game winning streak and that massive Christmas Day win over OKC, the last few days have been a tough "scraps" to swallow. Falling to the Utah Jazz (114-127) and the Cleveland Cavaliers (101-113) at home shows that even a #2 seed in the West has a lot of growing to do.

👽The Tactical Breakdown: The Cold Front 🥶

The biggest culprit? 3-point shooting. * Against the Jazz, we went a freezing 10-of-42 (24%) from deep.

Against Cleveland, the story was the same. When the outside shots don't fall, the spacing disappears, making life much harder for Victor and penetrators inside.

In the modern NBA, you simply cannot survive shooting under 25% from the arc, especially when teams like Utah are hitting nearly 50% on the other end. We missed a lot of "bunnies" (easy shots) and the ball movement felt stagnant compared to the "Beautiful Game" we saw earlier this month.

👽The Silver Lining: The Q4 Grit

If there is one thing to be proud of, it’s that this team refuses to quit. In both games, we entered the 4th quarter trailing by double digits.

Against Utah, we cut a 17-point lead down to just 3 points late in the game.
Against Cleveland, we clawed back to within striking distance before the Cavs' depth finally pulled away.

The ability to keep their form and defensive intensity in the final 12 minutes—even when the shots aren't falling—is what separates this year's Spurs from the team of two years ago. We have the "heart," now we just need the "hit."

Moving Forward:

Wemby dominated (32pts vs Utah, 26pts vs Cleveland), but he needs the perimeter support. With De'Aaron Fox managing an adductor injury, the pressure is on Stephon Castle and the bench to find their rhythm again.

Every great season has its "dog days." It’s how we respond to this skid that will define our playoff seeding.

Let's leave the cold shooting in 2025 and bring the heat for 2026!"

What do you think is the biggest fix for our shooting slump? Should Mitch change the rotation, or do we just need to keep firing? Let’s discuss in the comments. 👇

24/12/2025

In a high-stakes clash against the powerhouse Oklahoma City Thunder (26-3), the San Antonio Spurs (21-7) secured a gritty victory fueled by veteran scoring and an influx of elite rookie talent.

Despite a 33-point masterpiece from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Spurs utilized a balanced attack and key defensive stands to hold off OKC's late-game surge.

👽The Clutch Performers

While several Spurs contributed, the duo of Keldon Johnson and Stephon Castle provided the scoring gravity needed to fend off the Thunder's comeback attempts.

Keldon Johnson 25 (10-16 FG) +9
Stephon Castle 24 (7-12 FG) +12

Keldon Johnson: Operating with elite efficiency off the bench, Johnson was the game's high scorer for San Antonio. His 5-of-9 shooting from deep punished OKC’s defensive rotations, providing the primary offensive spark whenever the Thunder threatened to take the lead.

Stephon Castle: The sophomore guard showed veteran-like composure in "clutch time." Beyond his 24 points, he was a perfect 6-of-6 from the free-throw line, knocking down high-pressure shots in the final minutes to ice the game. His +12 rating tied for the team high.

👽Defensive Masterclass: Dylan Harper

While his offensive box score was modest (4 points, 10 assists), rookie Dylan Harper was the defensive anchor at the perimeter.

Statistical Impact: Harper recorded a game-high 5 steals, repeatedly disrupting the Thunder's rhythm and turning defense into offense.

Playmaking: His defensive intensity translated to the other end, where he served as the primary floor general, dishing out 10 assists with 0 turnovers—a remarkable feat for a rookie against an elite defense.

The "Clutch" Stop: His ability to stay in front of OKC’s ball handlers in the 4th quarter was instrumental in preventing the Thunder from completing their "chase" in the final possessions.

👽Team Context & Key Stats

The Bench Advantage: Led by Johnson and Harper, the Spurs' bench outscored their OKC counterparts significantly, providing a +18 cushion during De'Aaron Fox’s minutes.

Perimeter Efficiency: San Antonio shot significantly better from beyond the arc than their season average, with Castle and Johnson combining for 9 of the team's three-pointers.

Wemby's Presence: In 23 minutes, Victor Wembanyama contributed 12 points and 5 rebounds, but his gravity allowed the guards like Castle and Harper more room to operate in the paint.

23/12/2025

Exceeding Expectations: The Silver & Black Are Back

When we started this season, many called us a "year away." After witnessing the Tim Duncan era from day one, I’ve learned one thing: Never underestimate a Spurs team that plays for each other.

Despite a grueling stretch of injuries to our core—Victor Wembanyama, De’Aaron Fox, and Stephon Castle—this team hasn't just survived; they’ve thrived. Sitting at #2 in the Western Conference (21-7) right now is a testament to the "Spurs Way."

The Scraps from the NBA Cup: That Semi-Final win against the Thunder in Las Vegas (111-109) was legendary. Seeing Fox (All-Tournament Team!) lead the charge while Wemby, Castle and Vassell anchored the defense showed exactly how our ceiling has shifted. We didn't just beat a good team; we beat the best team in the West to prove we belong in the conversation.

What’s Next? We fell just short in the Final against the Knicks, but the focus shifts back to the regular season grind. We have the ultimate litmus test coming up: A Christmas Day showdown against OKC. Can the Spurs repeat the magic from the NBA Cup? Wembanyama is questionable to play due to his grandma, but if this season has taught us anything, it’s that this roster is deeper than people realize.

Witnessing the transition from the Big Three to the Wemby Era has been the ride of a lifetime. Let’s keep this momentum going into the New Year.

Silver & Black Scraps

02/03/2026

26/02/2026

23/02/2026

12/02/2026

09/02/2026

29/01/2026

19/01/2026

31/12/2025

24/12/2025

23/12/2025

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