Anyone who even glances at the NBA standings will notice the San Antonio Spurs have been better than expected this season despite having yet to play a game with a healthy roster. Anyone who has actually watched them knows a big reason why is the improvement the young players, namely Dejounte Murray, Lonnie Walker IV and Keldon Johnson have shown from last season to this.
In looking at how the Spurs have gotten back into the playoff mix after missing out for the first time in 23 years last season, fivethirtyeight.com has taken a deep dive to look at how important that trio has been to their success.