Famous reporters analyze the prospects of the Spurs and other teams: It is difficult to decide the backcourt partner of the literary team, and it is difficult to break 44 wins by the Mavericks

As the new season approaches, ESPN reporter Tim Bontemps conducted a forward-looking analysis of three popular teams in the West, pointing out key issues in lineup and competitiveness of the Spurs, Mavericks and Timberwolves.

Spurs: The Spurs' core has been decided, and the backcourt partner of Wenban Yama is suspected

Spurs star Wenban Yama has proved that he is a changer on the defensive end. But how to build a suitable lineup around him is still the biggest problem. The team's current backcourt is composed of Fox, Dylan Harper and Stephen Castle. Despite its outstanding talent, none of the three are stable outside pitchers. Bontemps pointed out that how the three of them matched the Vinban Yama became the focus of the league and also put new head coach Mickey Johnson on the test.

Mavericks: The star replacement is full of uncertainty

Mavericks are one of the most eye-catching teams in the West in the new season. The team welcomed new star Cooper Flag, but also experienced the shock of core player Luka Doncic being traded. Meanwhile, Kyrie Irving is recovering from a cruciate ligament injury and the season prospects are unstable.

Currently, Russell is the only relatively stable ball handler in the team, but he is more suitable as a substitute. Coupled with Anthony Davis' health concerns, Bontemps believes that it will be very difficult for the Mavericks to break through the threshold of 44 wins.

Timberwolves: Can they break the historical bottleneck?

The Timberwolves only broke through 51 wins twice in the regular season, in 2004 and 2024 respectively. They reached the Western Conference Finals last season, but still only won 49 regular season. Bontemps pointed out that losing Alexander Walker this summer has made the team rely on more young players, and although the team renewed the contract for 5 years and $125 million, if Rudy Gobert is absent, the gap on the defensive end is difficult to fill. Meanwhile, last year’s lottery show Dillingham is still growing up.

Despite this, the Timberwolves still have the command of Anthony Edwards, Randle, and head coach Chris Finch, who are still the power that the West cannot ignore. But breaking through the historical bottleneck will be a difficult challenge.