![]() ![]() In fact, Joel Embiid and Adebayo have proven that teams can thrive running offense through their big man. ![]() Jokic proved that if there is enough skill around them, a big can still dominate this league. Since then it’s been almost exclusively wings and guards like LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Stephan Curry and Giannis Antetokounmpo. The last center to win Finals MVP was Tim Duncan in 2005. Even Miami showed that you can reach the highest stage in an unconventional manner. A big three or “super team” isn’t a requirement to hoisting the Larry O’Brien trophy. There are multiple ways to win a championshipĭenver proved to the world that you don’t just need a ball dominant guard and playmaking wings to win it all. What will the next generation’s identity be? Will it be a long, switchable team chocked full of playmakers like Wemby, Jeremy Sochan, Devin Vassell and others? A hard nose defensive squad who pressures aggressively on the perimeter with a giant looming in the paint? Whatever it is, they should lean into it completely, and find the players that fit what they do best. The Spurs will need to take the time to shape the roster around Wembanyama’s style of play. They completely bought into the identity and it worked. It elevated Jokic and Murray’s games, and strengthened their defense around their stars. Essentially swapping out players who are more effective with the ball in their hands, for players who can defend multiple positions and be off-ball weapons. It’s an offensive system that has worked beautifully for the Nuggets, but it needed the correct pieces.ĭenver switched out Will Barton, Monte Morris, Austin Rivers, Facundo Campazzo and Bones Hyland in favor of Caldwell-Pope, Christian Braun, Bruce Brown and Jeff Green over the course of the season. Aaron Gordon, Michael Porter Jr., Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and others are there to cut, relocate and spot up. The Nuggets play a fast paced game with a lot of ball movement that operates out of the hands of it’s two main creators: Jokic and Murray. It helps to have an excellent coach in Mike Malone who has helped this team maintain it’s identity. They played close to flawlessly against Miami in the finals, despite some poor shooting. Everyone is on the same page, accepts their role and knows exactly where they need to be on the floor. In a pivotal offseason for San Antonio, what can they learn from Denver about building a team around such a player? What kind of players and strategies will help them build a sustainable roster that can compete for multiple championships? Let’s take a look at a few tips the Spurs should take from the 2023 NBA champions. While Jokic certainly does it with more brawn, Wemby brings a unique skillset that will allow the Spurs to build a winning offense and defense around him. It’s hard not to get excited about the future of the franchise after watching a do-it-all center from abroad take his team to the promised land. Now the Spurs have a chance to draft their own revolutionary Euro big in Victor Wembanyama. He is one of, if not the greatest European big men to ever play the game. Averaging 30 points, 13.4 rebounds and 9.5 assists on 55/46/79 splits puts him in legend territory. There wasn’t a single team that had an answer for him, although Bam Adebayo tried his darndest. Nikola Jokic cemented himself among the greats with a dominant playoff performance. They dominated the young Timberwolves, blotted out the Suns, swept the King’s Lakers, and slayed the “zombie Heat.” Through it all, they became legends. ![]() In many ways, it was never in question for the Nuggets. ![]()
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