Spurs Fiesta 5: NBA Rookie Ladder Features San Antonio Duo

Inside The Spurs identifies five of the biggest NBA storylines in addition to relevant San Antonio Spurs news and analysis.

Jeremy Brener | Apr 19, 2023

Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports

In this story:

San Antonio Spurs

1. SPURS ROOKIES HONORED

"Jeremy Sochan, the No. 9 pick in the draft, and Malaki Branham, the No. 20 pick, both shined throughout the season for the Spurs."

2. PLAYING FOR POP

“Pop” is a repeat winner here, which is impressive considering the state of the Spurs these days," The Athletic writes. "It has been nine years since he won his fifth title as a coach and six years since San Antonio got out of the first round of the playoffs, meaning today’s players are appreciating his legacy and reputation independent of the current results during this rebuilding stage."

3. FORMER SPURS IN PLAYOFFS

The San Antonio Spurs may not be participating in this year's playoffs, but 14 former players still have a chance at a ring this year ...

Kyle Anderson (Minnesota Timberwolves)

Dewayne Dedmon (Philadelphia 76ers)

Danny Green (Cleveland Cavaliers)

JaMychal Green (Golden State Warriors)

Anthony Lamb (Golden State Warriors)

Jock Landale (Phoenix Suns)

Kawhi Leonard (Los Angeles Clippers)

Trey Lyles (Sacramento Kings)

Chimezie Metu (Sacramento Kings)

Patty Mills (Brooklyn Nets)

Dejounte Murray (Atlanta Hawks)

Isaiah Roby (New York Knicks)

Lonnie Walker IV (Los Angeles Lakers)

Derrick White (Boston Celtics)

4. WEDNESDAY NIGHT'S GAMES

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Memphis Grizzlies, 7:30 p.m. EST, TNT (Lakers lead 1-0)

Miami Heat vs. Milwaukee Bucks, 9:00 p.m. EST, NBA TV (Heat leads 1-0)

Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Denver Nuggets, 10:00 p.m. EST, TNT (Nuggets lead 1-0)

5. NBA DRAFT LOTTERY COUNTDOWN

The Spurs are 27 days away from the NBA Draft Lottery, where it will be revealed if San Antonio will have the opportunity to take Victor Wembanyama with the No. 1 overall pick.

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Published Apr 19, 2023

JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.