One quarter into the season and the San Antonio Spurs still hold the best record in the NBA. While it is certainly a reason to be happy and excited, it doesn’t necessarily mean the Spurs can rest on their laurels.
At 22-3 and in the midst of the best start in franchise history, the Spurs are winning games early in the season like never before. However, they only hold a slim lead over the Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks for the best record.
It is also noteworthy this team currently sit on top of the NBA due to a relatively easy early season schedule.
During their first 25 games, the Spurs already played the Los Angeles Clippers (three times), the Golden State Warriors (twice), the Minnesota Timberwolves (twice) and the Indiana Pacers, Charlotte Bobcats, Cleveland Cleveland and the Philadelphia 76ers. That means most of their games early on can be considered “winnable” games.
Granted, they’ve had some success against playoff caliber teams like the Orlando Magic, Utah Jazz, Oklahoma City Thunder, New Orleans Hornets, Chicago Bulls and the Denver Nuggets, but the Spurs have yet to face their toughest test of the season.
Not to take anything away from the Spurs’ remarkable start but they are about to get a reality check before the year ends.
They will play seven games in the next 13 days. That will start on a three-game home-stand against the Memphis Grizzlies, Phoenix Suns and Nuggets, a road game against the Orlando Magic on a set of back-to-backs, a visit from the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers and a road game against the Mavericks.
That stretch should provide the Spurs a better gauge on how they really measure up against some of the best teams in the NBA.
Will they keep their composure and be able to sustain momentum? I’m pretty sure but we will soon find out.