Spurs showing they can handle success, not just chase it

The question around the league has shifted with San Antonio. It is no longer about whether the Spurs are real. It is about whether they can keep this going.

So far, the answer looks like yes.

San Antonio picked up its third straight win Monday, another night in which Victor Wembanyama buried at least four three-pointers and looked fully comfortable dictating games on both ends.

And inside the locker room afterward, there was an understanding that what the Spurs are experiencing now is different than earlier in the season, via ESPN’s Michael C. Wright.

Second-year guard Stephon Castle said that the upcoming All-Star break could be a real separator for a young team still learning how to win.

That matters. San Antonio has dealt with injuries. It has dealt with rotation changes. And now it is dealing with something new entirely. Namely, real expectations.

The Spurs are no longer sneaking up on teams. They are showing up with a target on their backs, and opponents are game-planning accordingly.

Wright noted that San Antonio has handled that transition better than expected, pushing through the mental side of success while continuing to stack wins. Wembanyama’s shot-making has opened the floor, but the growth around him has been just as important.

The Spurs are young. They are still learning. But they are no longer guessing.