23 wins in the last 25 games! Wembanyama praised for influence comparable to Curry: Is the Spurs dynasty returning?

On March 27 Beijing time, NBA.com published an article discussing the Spurs' resurgence and recent hot streak, praising Wembanyama's superstar influence, and remarking that the Spurs dynasty might be returning.

Led by young superstar Wembanyama, the Spurs are now one of the top-performing and hottest teams in the NBA. Since January 2, they have achieved a record of 31 wins and 9 losses, with a winning percentage of 77.5%, ranking first in the league. In the past 25 games, they have secured 23 wins.

The Spurs' overall record is 55 wins and 18 losses, trailing the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder by only two wins, placing them second in the Western Conference. In their five meetings this season, the Spurs have won four.

This marks the Spurs' first return to the playoffs since 2019. The team ranks third in defensive efficiency, fourth in offensive efficiency, and second in net efficiency. They are essentially locked in as the second seed in the West and will not let the Thunder easily secure the top spot.

“So far this season, we've performed well overall, but we haven't played together long enough to predict every night's outcome,” said Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson. “We've focused our energy correctly, but we must continue to concentrate on ourselves... There's still plenty of room for improvement.”

Last season, Spurs legendary coach Gregg Popovich stepped down due to stroke and health issues, and Johnson took over. His words are not a boast to the league, but an objective assessment of this talented yet young team that has never played together in the playoffs.

But the underlying message is clear—and it's causing headaches for other opponents:The Spurs dynasty is returning. Built around the extraordinarily talented 2.24-meter-tall Wembanyama, this roster will remain among the league's elite for a long time.

Wembanyama brings a unique advantage

Last season, the Spurs only managed 34 wins and 48 losses, and Wembanyama missed the rest of the season after the All-Star break due to a right shoulder blood clot. Whether the Spurs' rise is premature or according to plan is no longer important. What matters is that they are now on the championship stage.

In his third season, Wembanyama is a hot candidate for the regular season MVP and is highly likely to win his first, or even multiple, Defensive Player of the Year awards.He averages: 24.2 points, 11.2 rebounds, 3 assists, 3.1 blocks, 1.1 steals, with a shooting percentage of 50.5%, a three-point percentage of 35.1%, and a free throw percentage of 81.8%.

With his astonishing height, wingspan, speed, strength, and versatility, Wembanyama is like an impenetrable giant net on defense, becoming a nightmare for opponents. The Spurs allow only 103.5 points per 100 possessions, and when he is on the court, the team's net rating per 100 possessions is 16.7 points higher than when he is off.

In the season opener, he scored 40 points and 15 rebounds with 3 blocks in 30 minutes against the Mavericks, and the Spurs have been soaring since. As his passing and shooting skills continue to improve, Wembanyama becomes increasingly unstoppable on offense.

“This is a crucial part of his growth,” Johnson said. “He truly understands how to dominate games, how to create advantages for teammates through pick-and-rolls, passing, and spacing. Defenses eventually have to adjust to limit him, and whatever they do, they leave opportunities for Wembanyama—because his skills are so comprehensive, his dominance is everywhere.”

External praise for Wembanyama is overwhelming.

“In my memory, I've never seen a player as unique as him,” commented Nuggets head coach David Adelman.

Carlisle stated bluntly: “There has never been such a player in NBA history who can exert such immense influence on both offense and defense simultaneously. This gives the Spurs a unique advantage.”

Just before the Spurs' 136-111 victory over the Heat, NBA commentator Brian Scalabrine also said: “I think Wembanyama is the most terrifyingly influential player I've ever seen. Whenever he's on the court, you have to adjust your strategy for every possession.”

In a follow-up phone interview, Scalabrine further compared Wembanyama's influence to the transformative effect Stephen Curry had on the NBA with his three-point shooting.

“Wembanyama is about to completely颠覆 the NBA, and everyone in the league knows it,” he said regarding the French star's elite two-way ability. “They just haven't admitted it publicly. Maybe they're all praying that what we anticipate won't actually happen.”

When asked about the MVP race after the game, Wembanyama stated bluntly: “There is indeed suspense now, and rightly so. But I believe I should lead this list. What I need to do is ensure that by the end of the season, this suspense disappears completely.” This season's MVP competition is exceptionally fierce, with Wembanyama's main rivals including Thunder guard Alexander, Lakers forward Luka Doncic, and Nuggets center Nikola Jokic.

The Spurs' rise, step by step

A team with championship caliber must have a superstar, even a transformative player. The Spurs not only have such a player, but are not a single-star team—

Fox: All-Star, averaging 18.9 points, 6.3 assists, 3.8 rebounds, 1.2 steals, with a shooting percentage of 48.6%

Castle: 2024-25 Rookie of the Year, candidate for All-Defensive Team, averaging 16.5 points, 7.1 assists, 5 rebounds, 1.2 steals, often defending the opponent's primary perimeter player

Vassell: averaging 14.1 points, with a three-point percentage of 38.7%

Keldon Johnson: candidate for Sixth Man of the Year, averaging 13 points, 5.5 rebounds, with a shooting percentage of 53%, three-point percentage of 37.6%

Dylan Harper: averaging 11.5 points, 3.9 assists, 3.4 rebounds, with a shooting percentage of 49.5%

Champagnie (11.1 points), veteran forward Harrison Barnes (10.3 points)

The Spurs have eight players averaging double-digit points.

The team's core age structure is ideal: Wembanyama 22, Fox 28, Castle 21, Vassell 25, Johnson 26, Harper 20, Champagnie 24, rookie Carter Bryant 20.

Harrison Barnes (2015 Warriors champion), center Luke Kornet (2024 Celtics champion), also bring valuable championship experience to the team.

The championship system and team culture built by the Spurs from the 1990s to the 2010s continue today. Executive RC Buford serves as Spurs CEO, while Hall of Fame coach Popovich, holder of five championships and three Coach of the Year awards, serves as president of basketball operations.

Despite adjustments in the coaching staff and management, the Spurs' team ethos remains consistent. Keldon Johnson, the 29th pick in the 2019 first round, exemplifies that the Spurs can not only select high-potential talents (Wembanyama, Castle, Harper), but also excel at finding gems later in the draft, then building a championship-contending roster step by step through precise free-agent signings and trades.

Mitch Johnson, formerly an assistant coach under Popovich, now perfectly fulfills the head coach role and is a candidate for Coach of the Year this season. Popovich's influence is undeniable, but Johnson also shapes the team with his own philosophy: speeding up play, emphasizing passing, improving free-throw efficiency, and helping Wembanyama ascend to superstardom.

“We've reached this point without skipping any steps,” said Keldon Johnson. “This means a lot to me. I just want to stay with the Spurs and accomplish everything here. After all the ups and downs, persevering through the entire rebuilding process, finally seeing results, and we're still advancing, still pursuing greatness, still aiming higher. This team is truly special.”