Assistants Tip Spurs as NBA Title Favorites

Two anonymous NBA assistant coaches, speaking separately, have named San Antonio the favourite for the championship, built around Victor Wembanyama.

"My favourite is San Antonio. They should have won the title. The only reason they didn't do it in the last play-offs was a lack of experience. But that setback will only spur them on this season. I expect them to win the championship in 2027, provided they can avoid injuries. I can even see the Spurs pulling off a triple-double. I know nothing like that has happened since the Lakers of the early 2000s. But in my view there's never been a player at Wembanyama's level. He's going to dominate. Again, the main condition is health. But if he stays healthy, and the rest of the lads do too... my word, how good is this Spurs side?" the first assistant said.

The second assistant went further, saying San Antonio is his pick "right now" for the title.

"My favourite in the race for the title right now is San Antonio. They're going to be even stronger than last season, and that means a championship. The Spurs have Wembi. His numbers are going to get even more impressive. On top of that, every player is a year more experienced. Castle is going to take a big step forward. Harper is going to become a star. They've got young players who now have a full season and play-off experience behind them. De'Aaron Fox will obviously have to play better too. But in this championship they don't need De'Aaron to be truly outstanding for them to win. Castle and Harper are unbelievably good," he said.

Wembanyama, 21, is entering his third NBA season after a debut campaign that brought Rookie of the Year and a second in which San Antonio reached the play-offs before losing in the first round. Alongside him, Stephon Castle claimed Rookie of the Year last season and Dylan Harper arrives as the number two pick in this year's draft, while De'Aaron Fox joined the Spurs' backcourt via trade last season.

If both assistants prove right, San Antonio would be aiming to become the first side since the Lakers' three-peat in the early 2000s to complete such a run, though that is speculation from within rival coaching staffs rather than anything the Spurs themselves have claimed.