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Spurs Season In-Review: Doug McDermott 'Great Teammate,' Says Gregg Popovich
If winning games wasn't already difficult enough for the San Antonio Spurs with the young team they had entering the season, injuries made it worse.
The Spurs lost players on both ends of the experience spectrum, with rookie Jeremy Sochan and veteran Keldon Johnson both sitting out multiple times down the stretch — part of the reason that consistency proved to be an issue.
Veteran sharpshooter Doug McDermott was no exception.
Last season, he averaged double digits for the fifth time in his career, but remained below 70 games played, a mark he has not hit since the 2018-19 season. He was sidelined for the Spurs' final three games this season. but regardless of his injury-riddled past, McDermott sees his perseverance to come back on the floor each time as a positive rather than a negative.
"We've had a lot of in-and-out injuries," McDermott said. "Lot of guys in and out of the lineup, but [that win] showed that we were staying locked in. We were staying prepared. ... We haven't won a ton of games, but we're definitely doing it the right way ... we're playing Spurs basketball."
And in a season where most games could even be seen as "practices" for coach Gregg Popovich's players, McDermott set the example for the younger players, catalyzing their on-court success where he could.
His example was not just off the court, however.
McDermott's sharpshooting ability from deep made him a heavily sought after target in free agency, having been recruited by title-hopeful teams like the Los Angeles Lakers. In the end, the eighth-year veteran was eventually signed-and-traded by the Indiana Pacers to officially join Popovich in San Antonio two seasons ago — bringing high expectations with him.
The 31-year-old made his presence felt early, and quickly became a strong part of what the Spurs are still continuing to build upon this season. McDermott finished as a top-20 3-point shooter on the season, and maintained a 40 percent clip from deep for the sixth time in his career.
He also proved his ability to take over games — his best game of the season coming earlier this month during the Spurs' overtime victory against the Kings. McDermott finished with 30 points and four 3-pointers in his team's winning effort, proving that he still possesses a strong scoring ability heading into his ninth year in the league.
With another young prospect coming to San Antonio during the NBA draft, McDermott's on-court performance and off-court leadership will continue to make a difference for the Spurs — and Popovich knows it.
"We all know what he is," Popovich said. "He's a guy that can shoot the 3. He moves really well without the basketball. He knows how to play [and] he's a great teammate. Everybody took him very quickly ... he's been important."
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