Spurs enter playoffs with expectations, and one big question

The Spurs aren’t sneaking up on anyone anymore.

They won 62 games. They’ve got the point differential. The metrics love them. And yeah, Victor Wembanyama looks every bit like a future MVP.

But here’s the thing nobody really knows yet — how does this all translate when the game slows to a crawl?

That’s the playoffs. That’s where this gets interesting.

Wembanyama is dealing with a rib issue. Spurs say it’s minor. Maybe it is. But opponents are going to test it early and often. More bumps. More contact. Less space.

That’s not theory. That’s postseason basketball.

Then there’s the bigger question. Namely, pace.

San Antonio ran teams out of the gym all season. Young legs. Easy offense. That doesn’t happen the same way in April. Now it’s half-court. Execution. Patience.

So yeah, they’re good. Really good. But if this turns into a grind, the Spurs are about to find out what they don’t know yet.

Keep an eye on Julian Champagnie too. Every playoff team needs that steady guy who doesn’t get rattled. He’s been that in the regular season. Now we see if it carries over.