Spurs Insider

Columnist Mike Finger and beat writers Jeff McDonald and Tom Orsborn discuss the Spurs’ free agency options, the new deals for Julian Champagnie and Harrison Barnes, summer league plans for Carter Bryant, and the focus on keeping the core of their NBA Finals group together.  Suggested reading: Spurs sign Julian Champagnie to extension Why the Spurs included Carter Bryant on summer league roster Wh...

Columnist Mike Finger and beat reporters Jeff McDonald and Tom Orsborn review the Spurs’ two unconventional picks in the first round of the NBA draft, discuss the timelines for Jayden Quaintance and Tarris Reed Jr., and examine the Spus’ chances of making a repeat run to the NBA Finals. Suggested reading: Why the Spurs rolled the dice on a pair of big men Why Brian Wright has full confidence in Mi...

Columnist Mike Finger and beat writers Jeff McDonald and Tom Orsborn discuss the Spurs’ loss to the Knicks in the NBA Finals, look back at a season that exceeded all realistic expectations, and examine what the future might hold for Victor Wembanyama and De’Aaron Fox. Suggested reading: How the Spurs hope to gain fuel from Knicks’ celebration Why Spurs are in control of what they take from the NBA...

Columnist Mike Finger and beat reporter Tom Orsborn discuss the Spurs’ historic meltdown in Game 4 of the NBA Finals, analyze De’Aaron Fox’s critical decision in the closing seconds, and ask whether Victor Wembanyama and company have what it takes to come back from a 3-1 deficit. Suggested reading: NBA admits critical call was wrong in Game 4 loss One word sums up the Spurs' approach to a do-or-di...

Columnist Mike Finger and beat reporters Jeff McDonald and Tom Orsborn discuss the contributions of Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper in the Spurs’ breakthrough victory in Game 3 of the NBA Finals, and ask whether a clear-headed Victor Wembanyama is ready to lead his team all the way back from an 0-2 deficit. Suggested reading: How the Spurs embraced a distraction, and possibly turned around the NBA...

Columnist Mike Finger and beat reporters Jeff McDonald and Tom Orsborn discuss the Spurs’ emotional celebration after beating Oklahoma City in Game 7, and explore the ways Victor Wembanyama and company keep proving traditional NBA wisdom wrong as they head into an epic Finals showdown against the New York Knicks.    Suggested reading: How Victor Wembanyama lived up to the hype, and to an impossibl...

Columnist Mike Finger and beat reporters Jeff McDonald and Tom Orsborn discuss Victor Wembanyama’s big halftime shot and how he and the Spurs clamped down on Oklahoma City to tie the Western Conference finals 2-2.   *Suggested reading:* Why Wembanyama wasn't 'messing around' as Spurs evened series versus Thunder: _https://www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs/article/victor-wembanyama-spurs-tie-series-...

Columnist Mike Finger and Spurs beat reporters Jeff McDonald and Tom Orsborn discuss Victor Wembanyama’s takeover in the Spurs’ double overtime win over the Thunder in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals.  Also how the Spurs keep momentum and win Game 2? And how much do they need De’Aaron Fox to return? Suggested reading: How Victor Wembanyama, a 1-in-8-billion star, met his biggest moment Spu...

Columnist Mike Finger and beat reporters Jeff McDonald and Tom Orsborn discuss Victor Wembanyama getting ejected from Game 4 of the Western Conference Semifinals  against the Timberwolves, the Spurs subsequent loss and what is next for Wemby and the Spurs in Game 5.   Suggested reading: After Wembanyama ejected, Spurs coach calls physicality toward him ‘disgusting’ How ejected Victor Wembanyama wa...

Columnist Mike Finger and beat reporters Jeff McDonald and Tom Orsborn discuss the Spurs falling to Minnesota in Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals, the play of Victor Wembanyama and how the team can get back on track for Game 2.   Suggested reading: Why Spurs don’t need ‘emergency alert’ after learning tough Game 1 lesson Spurs vs. Timberwolves: Game 2 Keys to Victory Spurs vs. Timberwol...

Columnist Mike Finger and beat reporters Jeff McDonald and Tom Orsborn discuss the Spurs taking a 3-1 series lead over the Portland Trail Blazers despite Victor Wembanyama missing a game due to concussion protocol. Players like Dylan Harper and De’Aaron Fox stepped up to help San Antonio take command in the first round of the playoffs.   Suggested reading: How Spurs keep coming back, with lots of...

Columnist Mike Finger and Spurs beat reporters Jeff McDonald and Tom Orsborn discuss the Spurs first playoff game since 2019 – a win over the Blazers – and how Victor Wembanyama and company have brought back excitement to the Frost Bank Center and San Antonio.   Suggested reading: After stirring playoff debut, why Victor Wembanyama finds safety in huge expectations Spurs vs. Trailblazers NBA Playo...

Columnist Mike Finger and Spurs beat reporters Jeff McDonald and Tom Orsborn discuss the Spurs making the playoffs for the first time since 2019 and how no matter who they play they might just be ready for what is next.      Suggested reading: Ahead of schedule, the Spurs hit the postseason -- ready or not In long-awaited playoff return, it’s the Spurs against the unknown Why ESPN predicts Spurs t...

Columnist Mike Finger and beat reporters Jeff McDonald and Tom Orsborn discuss Victor Wembanyama’s rib injury and what it could mean down the stretch for the Spurs and for their possible playoff run. Also, why the Spurs goals go beyond getting 60 wins this season.   Suggested reading: Why Wembanyama's injury comes at the second-worst time for the Spurs After win No. 60, Spurs set sights on bigger...

Columnist Mike Finger and Spurs beat reporters Jeff McDonald and Tom Orsborn discuss the Spurs winning 25 of their last 27 games, who they could meet in the playoffs, and whether their recent blowouts might actually hurt their playoff prep.   Suggested reading: Still green as an NBA duo, 'thousands' more lobs to come from Castle to Wemby Spurs' Harrison Barnes, De'Aaron Fox finalists for high char...

Columnist Mike Finger and beat writers Jeff McDonald and Tom Orsborn discuss yet another Spurs’ winning streak, along with Victor Wembanyama’s campaign for the NBA Most Valuable Player award and a compliment for De’Aaron Fox.     Suggested reading: Victor Wembanyama states his case for MVP Why Victor Wembanyama’s dominance is simple but Spurs’ plan isn’t Stephon Castle delivers all-around performa...

Columnist Mike Finger and beat reporters Jeff McDonald and Tom Orsborn discuss the Spurs winning their 50th game of the season, how they could win 60 and why a team projected to win less than 45 games has exceeded expectations this season.   Suggested reading: Victor Wembanyama wants Spurs to finish season with 60 wins Spurs will be down a starter when they play at Sacramento on Tuesday night What...

Columnist Mike Finger and beat reporters Jeff McDonald and Tom Orsborn discuss the Spurs starting to believe in themselves, and why other teams and fans should start believing in their playoff chances too.   Suggested reading: The Spurs are beginning to believe in themselves, and that's scary What Spurs' Mason Plumlee said about finally being ready to play What Kornet had to say about the NBA canc...

Columnist Mike Finger and Spurs beat reporters Jeff McDonald and Tom Orsborn discuss the Spurs winning streak ending at 11 games to the New York Knicks and how it doesn’t change their trajectory, which keeps heading up as the NBA heads toward the playoffs.     Suggested reading: Spurs sweep NBA's monthly West awards after going 11-0 in February Having come back to earth, are Spurs ready to answer...

Columnist Mike Finger and beat reporters Jeff McDonald and Tom Orsborn discuss the Spurs’ win over Detroit and their nine-game winning streak. Also, could the Spurs and Pistons face each other in the NBA Finals? And will the Spurs always play in Austin?  These topics and more on this week’s Spurs Insider podcast.   Suggested reading: ⁠⁠How the Spurs got physical in beating 'bully ball' Pistons⁠⁠ ⁠...

Columnist Mike Finger and Spurs beat reporters Jeff McDonald and Tom Orsborn discuss Victor Wembanyama’s effort at the All-Star game and how that effort shows all the time with the Spurs. They also break down why Jeremy Sochan was released by the Spurs. Suggested reading: Doug Moe, who coached Spurs to brink of NBA finals in 1979, dies at 87 5 storylines as the Spurs gear up for a stretch run afte...

Columnist Mike Finger and Spurs beat reporters Jeff McDonald and Tom Orsborn discuss Stephon Castle’ 40-point triple double and why the Spurs players will be busy on All-Star Weekend, especially their young guards Castle, Carter Bryant and Dylan Harper. Suggested reading: Spurs' Harper looking to carry on family lineage at All-Star weekend How Stephon Castle found his rhythm in a historic 40-point...

Columnist Mike Finger and  beat reporter Jeff McDonald discuss the Spurs surviving a brutal travel to beat Orlando, Mitch Johson as an All-Star coach and what the Spurs could do at the trade deadline.   Suggested reading: Spurs' Victor Wembanyama earns another award from the NBA ‘They wanted our heads:’ The Spurs-OKC rivalry is ready for Part 5 Inside the harrowing 25 hours that led to the Spurs'...

Columnist Mike Finger and Spurs beat reporters Jeff McDonald  and Tom Orsborn discuss why the Spurs will need to get a lot more physical if they are going to contend for an NBA Championship. Also, why the Spurs will be well-represented at the All-Star weekend thanks to their Rising Stars. Suggested reading: Spurs' Dylan Harper set for Rising Stars as reputation for smart play grows Two more Spurs...

Columnist Mike Finger and Spurs beat reporters Jeff McDonald  and Tom Orsborn discuss why and how Victor Wembanyama was named an All-Star starter and why the 7-foot-4 Frenchman is shooting more 3-pointers. Also, the Gregg Popovich coaching tree was on display against the Jazz and why Carter Bryant doesn’t have to shave his head … yet.   Suggested reading: Victor Wembanyama's reaction to All-Star n...