Wemby's Spurs Can't Afford to Be the Bulls' Punching Bag Anymore
San Antonio's European Future Needs to Start Now
Look, when you hear "Bulls vs. Spurs," a lot of older fans still think about those epic Finals battles in the late 90s, with Jordan and Pippen facing Robinson and Duncan. Those were heavyweight fights, a clash of NBA titans. But let's be real, that's not what we're talking about anymore. This recent stretch between these two teams has been… less than inspiring for anyone who loves competitive basketball.
The Bulls just beat the Spurs 118-110, marking Chicago's ninth straight win against San Antonio. Think about that for a second. Nine consecutive games. In the NBA, where every team has talent, a nine-game streak against any opponent, even a rebuilding one, is frankly embarrassing for the Spurs. DeMar DeRozan dropped 28 points against his old team, while Nikola Vucevic chipped in 21 points and 16 boards. These aren't exactly world-beaters anymore, but they're consistent.
And for the Spurs? Victor Wembanyama had 26 points, 12 rebounds, and 5 blocks, doing his alien thing. Keldon Johnson added 19 points off the bench. But it just wasn't enough. Again. The Spurs have now dropped 14 of their last 15 games. It's a rough stretch, no doubt, especially for a team with the kind of global hype Wembanyama brings.
Where's the EuroLeague Influence Popovich Promised?
Here's the thing: Gregg Popovich has often spoken about his admiration for European basketball, the fundamentals, the team play, the less isolation-heavy offense. He even brought Ettore Messina to his staff for a stint, a legendary EuroLeague coach. And with Wembanyama, you'd think the Spurs would be leaning into that kind of structured, sophisticated approach. Wemby played in France, he understands that system. You saw how well he adapted to FIBA rules, leading France to a silver medal at the World Cup qualifiers before the senior team tournament.
But what are we seeing on the court? A lot of individual moments from Wembanyama, sure, but not enough cohesive team offense. They're still struggling to find consistent secondary scoring and coherent half-court sets that don't just devolve into "give it to Wemby and hope." The Spurs' offensive rating is 25th in the league, averaging just 109.2 points per 100 possessions. That's not just growing pains; that's a lack of clear identity beyond their generational talent.
I get it, Pop is a legend. But even legends need to adapt. The EuroLeague teams, like Real Madrid or Olympiacos, they build systems that maximize every player, not just one superstar. They don't have the same level of talent, but they compete with incredible discipline and tactical acumen. The Spurs have a transcendent talent in Wembanyama, arguably the most impactful European prospect in a generation. It's time to build a system around him that reflects the best of what European basketball offers, not just lean on his individual brilliance to bail out disjointed possessions.
The Spurs need to stop being the Bulls' easy win. They need to find a way to integrate their young talent, not just showcase it. My bold prediction? If the Spurs don't start showing more tactical sophistication and less reliance on hero ball by the end of next season, Popovich might finally hand over the reins, and a younger coach with a fresh Euro-inspired vision will take over.