The defending Western Conference champions are shaking things up right out of the gate! Spurs coach Mitch Johnson confirmed the team’s preseason opener against the Atlanta Hawks on Thursday night will feature a three-guard starting lineup, with Dylan Harper jumping into the mix alongside De’Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle. Victor Wembanyama and Devin Vassell round out what promises to be an intriguing starting five.
The Lineup Shake-Up That Nobody Saw Coming
If you’ve been watching the Spurs, you know this isn’t just a random shuffle. Fox and Castle were starting last season, with Harper coming off the bench. But let’s be real, Dylan Harper’s outstanding play in the NBA Finals was impossible to ignore. His performance clearly pushed the coaching staff to explore this three-guard look, and now we’re seeing it on the court for the very first time. It’s a bold move for a team fresh off a championship, showing they’re not afraid to tinker and push the boundaries to get even better.
Coach’s Take and the Buzz Around Town
Coach Johnson, ever the diplomat, didn’t exactly spill the beans on whether this unit will be the regular season starting five when they tip off against Oklahoma City on October 20 at the Frost Bank Center. But when asked if fans should be reading into this preseason lineup, his response was classic Johnson: “I can answer that. They’re still going to read into whatever they want to read into.” Translation: the fans are going to go wild no matter what he says! And honestly, why wouldn’t they? The idea of these three guards playing together has been the hottest topic since media day on September 28. Everyone’s been buzzing about it, and now we’re finally seeing it in action.
So, while Coach Johnson is playing it cool, the real question looms: is this just a preseason experiment, or are we witnessing the birth of the Spurs’ new championship-contending lineup? We’ll get our next hint when the regular season starts on October 20 against Oklahoma City. Get ready, because it feels like this team is just getting started.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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