San Antonio Spurs' Devin Vassell Healthy Heading Into Season: 'Knee Feels Great'
San Antonio Spurs guard Devin Vassell's measly 38 games played last season would tell you that he's nowhere near the caliber of player deserving of a five-year, $146 million contract. But that's looking at just one figure.
Looking at everything else tells you everything you need to know. Vassell is not only a player with ridiculous upside, he's also a player committed and ready to play a season fully healthy — as his knee is seemingly back up to par with the rest of his body.
"My knee is great," Vassell said, addressing the most pressing question posed by reporters. "It was tough last year, battling back and forth, in-and-out of games. Having to sit out and have surgery. But I took a lot away from that.
"I feel great. I'm ready to get this season going. Just know that my knee feels great."
San Antonio Spurs guard Devin Vassell
© Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports
Missing over half of the season to injury didn't give Vassell nearly a big enough chance to showcase his true potential last season, but now that he has the chance to do that this year, he isn't planning to overcompensate.
"Truthfully, I'm just being myself," Vassell said. "I don't think I'm doing anything that's out of character. I've been in the league [for three seasons] going into my fourth ... and I'm just trying to help out [the younger guys] on the court and off the court."
With as much youth as the Spurs have, Vassell being among the older, more experienced guys is something that not even he can fully grasp, but regardless, he's prepared to do what it takes to help his team win — and with a new contract in hand, he has the perfect opportunity to do that.
"Last year, I think I showed spurts offensively of what I could do," Vassell said. "Defensively, I just want to be more consistent. And I want to help the team get wins. That's all I care about."
Vassell and the Spurs will have a chance to start getting wins on Wednesday, Oct. 25 when the Dallas Mavericks come to town for the season opener.
