Inside The Spurs

San Antonio Spurs Dealt 'Reality Check' This Season, Says Zach Collins

Zach Collins and the San Antonio Spurs have learned how difficult it can be to win in the NBA.

Jeremy Brener

Apr 7, 2024; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul Reed (44) shoots in front of
Apr 7, 2024; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul Reed (44) shoots in front of / Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports
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The San Antonio Spurs' season is winding down and their first season in the Victor Wembanyama era has brought some shocking revelations.

Through it all, the team has grown a lot as a unit and they continue to do so after every game.

Apr 10, 2024; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren (7) drives
Apr 10, 2024; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren (7) drives / Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports


"We've just been continuing to grow all year. These last few games, all of our wins have been close wins and we're grinding out wins now. We're grinding out to be in a position to win games now. So definitely something to build on, and we got to carry that into next year and will be much better," Zach Collins said.

"We got a reality check of how hard it is to win in this league and luckily, we started to figure it out later. We got to carry that, and we got to carry that same confidence. Going into next year."

For those who remain, this year's trials and tribulations will be key in how they react to similar situations next season. While they may not reach the NBA mountaintop next year, it's all part of the process.

For the last few games, with key players like Devin Vassell, Jeremy Sochan and Keldon Johnson out, role players have been given extended opportunities to succeed.

"Every minute they [role players] get is a learning experience for them," coach Gregg Popovich said. "It doesn't matter what's going on in the court. It's about them executing. Learning how to play, not just with each other, but improving their individual game. They're all young guys trying to make a career. All the minutes, the experience adds up over time."

The more minutes and experiences that add up, the better off the Spurs will be, and one day they hope that it will eventually pay off.

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Jeremy Brener

JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.