Hidden Gems: San Antonio Spurs

Squad Goals Crafting Challenges are here. Each Crafting Challenge gives you the ability to earn new Rare Moments for each of the NBA’s 30 teams by burning existing Moments. New to NBA Top Shot? Create your account today to collect your first pack of curated, officially licensed NBA highlights, and browse the Marketplace to find your favorites.

All about dynasties? You can find Moments from instrumental icons during the Spurs’ title runs in Top Shot’s Run It Back and Archive Sets from ‘05 and beyond.

The Squad Goals Set, which makes up the Challenge Rewards for our current NBA Crafting Challenges, is a Top Shot homage to teamwork. Coaches using decades of experience. Forwards rotating to make blocks and steals. Sophomore standouts running the break. Undrafted players making a name for themselves.

In the process of these Challenges taking place, thousands of Moments will be burned – permanently – by members of the Top Shot community, unlocking unique Challenge Rewards.

This action will reduce the supply of collectibles in the Marketplace, effectively making those editions more scarce.

As each Squad Goals Crafting Challenge goes live, we'll be shining a spotlight on a handful of Moments from each NBA team that you might have overlooked. Underrated and underestimated players and Moments that are special in their own way, from monster performances to scarce and significant highlights in a player's career. Hidden gems across all Series.

Saddle up, San Antonio. Let’s ride. The Spurs Squad Goals Challenge is live, featuring a Keldon Johnson Moment with fearless execution. Josh Richardson’s ferocious block sets up a transition opportunity that Johnson hammers home on multiple defenders. Team chemistry is built over time, and with more plays like this one, the Spurs will be ahead of schedule.

Looking to the future, the Spurs have tons of talent to evaluate. Are these under-the-radar Moments the start of something special?

JAKOB POELTL (SERIES 1)

Jakob Poeltl is a mainstay for the Spurs’ frontcourt.

A traditional big, Poeltl is a terrific roller and possesses a soft touch as a finisher. He uses an interesting blend of finesse and punch when in traffic.

In the 2021-22 season, Poeltl ritually worked in the pick-and-roll with Dejounte Murray. Poeltl recorded a career-best 13.5 PPG, 9.3 RPG and – as an underrated passer to cutters – 2.8 APG. He proved he can be a screen assist expert.

As a full-time starter, Peoltl was utilized heavily in drop coverage on defense and became the team’s anchor. He contested the second-most shots in the league in the restricted area, trailing only Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid.

Since joining the Spurs in 2018-19, his 404 blocks with San Antonio places him in the Top 10 among the franchise’s all-time leaders.

This Top Shot Debut from “The Bubble” exhibits Poeltl’s ability to deny shots at the rim. It’s a So Fresh (Series 1) Rare swat on an explosive opponent, De’Aaron Fox.

KELDON JOHNSON (SERIES 2)

There are generally perks to the "Team USA experience" for rising talents. You get to learn from the best and grow on the world’s biggest stage.

Following his reserve role as a Gold Medalist in Tokyo, Keldon Johnson made significant improvements to his game.

In the 2021-22 NBA season, he became a more aggressive offensive player, attacking off the dribble and shooting from outside. His production in Year 3 included averaging 17 PPG and 39.8% from deep on over 5 attempts a game.

At only 22 years old, Johnson already has the body of a veteran swingman. He uses his upper-body strength to muscle his way to the basket, and still contains the burst to rise above the rim.

He’s no stranger to putting opponents on a poster, like he did in this Throwdowns (Series 2) Rare Moment.

With increased responsibility this coming season, it's safe to say Johnson’s play will continue to soar.

DEVIN VASSELL (SERIES 3)

Following the Derrick White deal to Boston ahead of last year’s Trade Deadline, Devin Vassell walked into a starting opportunity in San Antonio’s rotation.

Only a couple years removed from being selected in the NBA Draft Lottery at No. 11, Vassell showed flashes of promise.

He has a reliable jumper. Last year, he hit clutch shots, but more in spot-up scenarios than in situations where he was forced to create for himself.

What’s exciting for Vassell is his natural length and instincts on defense. If he applies himself, his physical tools can help turn him into an intimidating 3-and-D wing.

In his last 10 games in the 2021-22 season, he averaged 15.7 PPG and shot 43.9% – both promising figures when looking at his development.

This Holo Icon (Series 3) Legendary Moment is a prime example of his dunking ability too. With room to grow, Vassell will surely produce more athletic feats like this highlight in the near future.

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LAST UPDATED ON

Aug 15, 2022 11:42 AM

Hidden Gems: San Antonio Spurs

JAKOB POELTL (SERIES 1)

KELDON JOHNSON (SERIES 2)

DEVIN VASSELL (SERIES 3)

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