Spurs to Improve on Texas Triangle?

There came a time when playing the Texas teams in a short stretch hurt your favorite team's standings. However, nowadays, it's more of a slight nuisance than a detriment. The Dallas Mavericks are the only Texas NBA team that poses a legitimate threat in the win-loss column. In fairness to the Houston Rockets, they finished with a 41-41 record, graduating from bad to mediocre.

Will the San Antonio Spurs step up this season, once again completing the trio of tough Western Conference teams?

The 2000s and 2010s included a Texas Triangle of chippy moments and playoff series, with superstars like Tim Duncan, David Robinson, Dirk Nowitzki, Steve Nash, James Harden, Tracy McGrady, and Yao Ming. When you had to face the Spurs, Mavericks, and Rockets within a week or two, it felt like a gut check, as typically, all three teams or two-thirds of the trio would have a playoff-caliber roster.

However, it's been four years since two teams from the trio made the playoffs. Although it's unlikely the Spurs will make the playoffs after only winning 22 games the last two seasons, it's plausible for them to creep up the bottom half of the Western Conference.

The Spurs added veterans Chris Paul and Harrison Barnes to the young and unproven roster. Although Paul is nowhere near the superstar of the past, he is undoubtedly the best point guard on the team. Meanwhile, Barnes offers length, basketball IQ, and a constant presence, giving Gregg Popovich a legitimate rotation player among fringe NBA talents.

Following an inspirational run to the silver medal in the 2024 Paris Olympics, Victor Wembanyama ended by sternly warning his NBA opponents.

Related: Victor Wembanyama Drops Four-Word Warning After Olympics

Considering the offseason additions and Wembanyama's eye-opening Olympic experience, expect the Spurs to improve slightly from their previous two seasons.