Devin Vassell admits that physicality has become a red flag for the San Antonio Spurs
Devin Vassell didn’t sugarcoat it: for the San Antonio Spurs, physicality has become a glaring concern, the kind of issue opponents now circle on the scouting report. His acknowledgment crystallizes what has been evident on the floor: a young, skilled roster still learning how to consistently impose its will in a league defined by contact, strength, and relentlessness.
For San Antonio, the problem isn’t effort as much as it is consistency and maturity in the physical aspects of the game. The Spurs have length, athleticism, and a budding star in Vassell on the perimeter, but they often struggle to finish defensive possessions, fight through screens, and hold their ground in the paint. Too many trips end with second-chance opportunities or straight-line drives that put pressure on the rim and the whistle.
Across the NBA, physicality is no longer just about bruising big men. It’s guards who can absorb contact at the point of attack, wings who can withstand switches onto stronger players, and bigs who set punishing screens without fouling. Teams that compete deep into the postseason typically blend skill with a hardened edge. When Vassell points to physicality as a red flag, he is essentially acknowledging that the Spurs are still on the wrong side of that equation.
This is also a culture test for San Antonio. Under Gregg Popovich, the franchise’s identity has long been rooted in discipline, toughness, and detail. With a new generation in place, that identity is being rebuilt. Vassell’s candid assessment suggests the players understand that their development isn’t just about shooting percentages or highlight plays, but about meeting the nightly physical demands of the league.
The encouraging sign for Spurs fans is that recognizing the issue is often the first meaningful step toward solving it. If Vassell and his teammates can translate that awareness into more forceful box-outs, stronger drives, and sharper defensive resistance, the “red flag” he describes could evolve into a foundation of competitive toughness rather than a weakness opponents look to exploit.
For San Antonio, the problem isn’t effort as much as it is consistency and maturity in the physical aspects of the game. The Spurs have length, athleticism, and a budding star in Vassell on the perimeter, but they often struggle to finish defensive possessions, fight through screens, and hold their ground in the paint. Too many trips end with second-chance opportunities or straight-line drives that put pressure on the rim and the whistle.
Across the NBA, physicality is no longer just about bruising big men. It’s guards who can absorb contact at the point of attack, wings who can withstand switches onto stronger players, and bigs who set punishing screens without fouling. Teams that compete deep into the postseason typically blend skill with a hardened edge. When Vassell points to physicality as a red flag, he is essentially acknowledging that the Spurs are still on the wrong side of that equation.
This is also a culture test for San Antonio. Under Gregg Popovich, the franchise’s identity has long been rooted in discipline, toughness, and detail. With a new generation in place, that identity is being rebuilt. Vassell’s candid assessment suggests the players understand that their development isn’t just about shooting percentages or highlight plays, but about meeting the nightly physical demands of the league.
The encouraging sign for Spurs fans is that recognizing the issue is often the first meaningful step toward solving it. If Vassell and his teammates can translate that awareness into more forceful box-outs, stronger drives, and sharper defensive resistance, the “red flag” he describes could evolve into a foundation of competitive toughness rather than a weakness opponents look to exploit.
