'F*** This S***!' San Antonio Spurs' Jeremy Sochan Addresses PG Switch
San Antonio Spurs power forward Jeremy Sochan dribbles the ball up the court.
Normally, that's a sentence that goes unnoticed. It's a bad lede, even, on most occasions. But there's something unusual about the scene that makes it atypical.
Sochan is listed as a power forward on the Spurs' roster. That's because he is. That was, at least, until this season. He remains a power forward, but he's being treated as something entirely different — a pivotal detail in coach Gregg Popovich's unconventional starting lineup.
He's being treated as a point guard. But why?
Simply put, "The Jeremy Sochan Experiment" is a way for both the second-year star and Victor Wembanyama to co-exist with the makeup of San Antonio's roster. In order for Wembanyama to play to the best of his ability, he needs to be able to play free. With a true center anchoring him, and Keldon Johnson fronting him.
That leaves Sochan as the odd-man out. Devin Vassell isn't going to be relegated to the bench — especially not after his massive offseason paycheck.
So, Sochan converts. It's a bittersweet thing because he's put there over moving Johnson, but valued enough to remain in the starting lineup at whatever cost.
“[We've] played two bigs," Popovich said. "Sometimes you go small, sometimes you play two bigs. Depends on what is going on on the court, and what the matchups are. What works best for the people you have on the court, a little bit of everything right now in the beginning of the season.”
That's the other key. It is still just nine games into the season, and the Spurs have a lot of learning to do — Sochan's included. But while this is the right time and right way to incorporate Sochan into the lineup as a starter, it hasn't gone swimmingly.
And now, Sochan is beginning to make that clear.
"I'm making a transition like this in the NBA, which is rare," Sochan said. "You don't see a lot of people go from power forward to point guard. There's been some moments where it's like 'F*** this s***.' I'm going to be honest, but there's also been moments of confidence ... knowing I have the trust of [my] coaches and teammates."
"There's moments where it feels really good, and moments where it doesn't. But that's just the learning process."
October 20, 2023; San Francisco, California, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Jeremy Sochan (10) shoots the basketball against the Golden State Warriors during the second quarter at Chase Center.
© Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Harsh words from Sochan. It'd be crass to say that it wasn't expected, though it is strange to hear a player of his personality speak so negatively on the situation. Being honest is important, however. And Sochan gave the public exactly that: honesty.
Even with the down moments that come with learning an entirely new position, Sochan went on to describe the steps he's taken to try and make the experiment work in its preliminary stages, which includes the use of his teammates.
"[Off the court], I'm just watching film," Sochan said. "Just talking to coaches, [and] to Tre [Jones]. There's been a lot of moments like that. It's the first time I've ever played point guard in my life."
Jones has played a big role in the Spurs' rotation this season. When he's on the court, he provides security with the ball in his hands and a way for San Antonio to implement all of its players in their own unique ways. But he's just one of the teammates helping Sochan with the aforementioned learning process.
“It’s something totally different than what he was used to last year," Johnson said of Sochan's point-guard transition. "There are going to be ups and downs, and there’s going to be a learning curve. But I think he’s doing a great job, and I think he’s making the right strides to handle those things."
Johnson only further backed up what Sochan knew to be true. What Popovich knows to be true. He wouldn't thrust his player into a new role like this without confidence in that — and he's continuing to give his "point guard" support as well.
“It's been five or six games," Popovich said. "[Sochan is] not going to be Chris Paul in six games. He's learning a lot, and he likes the challenge. Every game is an education for him at both ends of the floor."
Learning. Education. Time.
That's what it's going to take from Sochan, Popovich and the entire Spurs' roster in order to make their unconventional plan work. And — despite the first true showing of negativity from Sochan — that's what they're giving.
Facing Miami at home will be another chance for San Antonio to work with its Wembanyama-catered, Sochan-centered lineup. Tre Jones has been ruled out with right-hamstring tightness — leaving Sochan with even more of the point-guard burden — but that doesn't mean he won't provide support from the sidelines.
And right now, support is everything Sochan needs. He just hopes Miami can fall into the "really good feeling" moments category.
Tipoff from Frost Bank Center is set for 6 p.m. CT.
