Spurs massive Stephon Castle.
Paraphrased Version:
The San Antonio Spurs are running out of time to make a legitimate push for the play-in tournament in the Western Conference. Securing a top-six seed is almost entirely off the table at this point, and their most realistic outcome is finishing somewhere between the seventh and tenth seeds. Spurs massive Stephon Castle.
A string of avoidable losses has led to this situation. The Spurs have dropped four of their last six games, with three of those losses coming against teams with losing records. Much of this could have been prevented with better rotations.
Yahoo Sports’ Kevin O’Connor recently addressed this on a podcast, emphasizing the importance of rotation changes if the Spurs want to reach the playoffs. “It’s crucial for them to make the playoffs,” O’Connor said. “That’s why it’s frustrating to still see Chris Paul in the starting lineup. It makes no sense. And these bizarre rotations—like Castle only playing 20 minutes—are just ridiculous to me.”
Castle Thrives with Fox and Wembanyama
O’Connor’s take is right on target. Castle has been a significant positive in his rookie season, making it puzzling why his minutes are so limited. The Spurs would benefit greatly from giving Castle more time on the court, particularly in lineups with De’Aaron Fox and Victor Wembanyama. Not only will that accelerate his development, but it could also translate to more wins for the team.
O’Connor also highlighted Chris Paul’s poor fit in the starting lineup, which has been a frequent topic of discussion on Air Alamo. “If Chris Paul isn’t willing to come off the bench, then it’s time to move on,” O’Connor suggested. “That may sound harsh, but it’s the reality. You’ve got De’Aaron Fox, an elite point guard who thrives in a fast-paced system. Paul slows things down, which doesn’t fit with the up-tempo style needed for Fox and Victor.”
O’Connor further questioned why Paul continues to start. “You’ve got a six-foot spot-up shooter starting when he should be leading the second unit,” he said. “Paul could run the bench offense, stagger his minutes with Fox, and still contribute effectively in a more limited role.”
Paul’s Role Needs Adjusting
Paul has rightfully earned respect for his leadership, but the basketball fit in the starting lineup simply doesn’t work. Moving him to the second unit while allowing Fox and Castle to build chemistry is the clear solution. That adjustment would not only help the team this season but also set the foundation for long-term success. Spurs massive Stephon Castle.
