By Tom Orsborn, Staff Writer | San Antonio Express-News (SAEN), 2025-04-13 17:15:23
由生成式人工智能翻译，译文内容可能不准确或不完整，以原文为准。
圣安东尼奥马刺队前锋桑德罗·马穆克拉什维利(Sandro Mamukelashvili)(54号)在圣安东尼奥的Frost Bank Center举行的对阵多伦多猛龙队比赛的上半场暂停期间，为他的队友圣安东尼奥马刺队前锋哈里森·巴恩斯(Harrison Barnes)(40号)加油鼓劲，拍摄于2025年4月13日星期日。
一切终于结束了，但不会很快被遗忘。
在一个充满意外情况的赛季里，马刺队本可以以此为借口得过且过，但他们保持了健康的视角，并且从未停止努力。
他们为此感到自豪。
“逆境无处不在，你必须保持坚韧，”前锋桑德罗·马穆克拉什维利(Sandro Mamukelashvili)说。“我觉得‘坚韧’是我最喜欢的词。我认为我们做到了。”
“我们从未垂头丧气，”前锋朱利安·尚帕尼(Julian Champagnie)说。“我们每场比赛都全力以赴。”
这包括赛季的最后一场比赛。
恰如其分的是，马刺队克服了第三节落后22分的劣势，在周日于Frost Bank Center以125-118击败了多伦多猛龙队。
凯尔登·约翰逊(Keldon Johnson)14投10中，得到23分。斯蒂芬·卡斯尔(Stephon Castle)得到20分，哈里森·巴恩斯(Harrison Barnes)得到18分。
维克托·文班亚马(Victor Wembanyama)时代的第二年充满了可能从精神上摧毁球队的情况。
赛季开始仅仅五场比赛，名人堂教练格雷格·波波维奇(Gregg Popovich)就患上了轻度中风，这让他整个赛季都无法执教，并可能结束他的执教生涯。然后在二月份，在马刺队仍然希望获得附加赛资格的时候，医生诊断出文班亚马的右肩有血栓，这结束了他的赛季。这一沉重打击导致了德阿隆·福克斯(De’Aaron Fox)的赛季报销的手术，这几乎可以肯定的是，俱乐部的季后赛荒将延长到球队历史上最糟糕的六个赛季。
尽管如此，以及伤病困扰着德文·瓦塞尔(Devin Vassell)，杰里米·索汉(Jeremy Sochan)和查尔斯·贝西(Charles Bassey)，马刺队在过去两个赛季仅赢得22场比赛后，仍然设法以34胜48负的战绩结束本赛季。
“我认为球队已经进步了，”在波波维奇生病后担任代理教练的助理教练米奇·约翰逊(Mitch Johnson)说。
“我们对很多事情都感到满意。在所有的情况下，战绩甚至也有所提高。而且我们知道这不是一个快速的解决方案，也不是一个（快速）致富的计划，你不可能在这个我们已经开始奠定基础的过程中，在第二年就赢得60场比赛。我们正在拥抱它，并以正确的方式去做，这不会是快速的。”
本赛季的亮点包括卡斯尔以假定的年度最佳新秀结束本赛季，以及39岁的未来名人堂球员克里斯·保罗(Chris Paul)，年迈的巴恩斯和尚帕尼成为自2001-02赛季的蒂姆·邓肯(Tim Duncan)，安东尼奥·丹尼尔斯(Antonio Daniels)和马利克·罗斯(Malik Rose)之后，马刺队首个出现在每场常规赛中的三人组。
但这个赛季也会因那些没有打满82场比赛的人而被人们铭记，或者在文班亚马的情况下，比赛场次要少得多。
“这绝对是起起落落，”尚帕尼说。“在球员受伤、球员上场、球员下场方面存在很多不一致。这就是篮球。这就是自然规律。”
尽管面临逆境，马刺队还是团结一致，在没有文班亚马的情况下取得了11胜19负的战绩，其中包括战胜纽约尼克斯队和金州勇士队等令人难忘的胜利。
球员们将大部分功劳归功于米奇·约翰逊，因为他保持了波波维奇在成为NBA历史上胜场最多的教练的过程中所建立的著名的“敲击岩石”标准。
“他做得很好，保持了这种标准，保持了高昂的士气，保持了球队的团结，保持了更衣室的团结，”福克斯说，他在2月3日的一笔重磅三方交易中加盟马刺队，此前他在萨克拉门托效力了7年半。
“每个人都尊重米奇，”福克斯补充道。“自从我来到这里，他就一直很棒。”
但米奇·约翰逊拒绝了赞扬。
他说：“教练组、球队、更衣室里的球员们团结一致。”“他们没有放弃，他们没有退缩……与这个团队一起经历这段经历非常有意义。”
无论谁应该受到赞扬，马刺队都以一种甚至让文班亚马羡慕的方式继续战斗。
文班亚马说：“我看到球场上的一些能量和奉献精神在本赛季不断增长，在某些时候。我甚至觉得，‘该死，我希望我在场的时候我们也像那样打球’。”“这些家伙做着肮脏的工作，他们每场比赛都为球队牺牲。当然，我们总是想到像KJ（凯尔登·约翰逊）或布雷克(应该是Wesley Blake 译为韦斯利)这样的家伙，他们就像机器一样一直付出百分之百的努力，但整个团队都接受了这种能量。”
自从被排除在本赛季之外后首次对记者发表讲话时，文班亚马消除了人们对他未来的任何担忧，他说他“已经准备好”迎接下个赛季的开始。
这位全明星中锋说：“这确实是一个很小的挫折。”
不太确定的是教练的情况。波波维奇在二月下旬宣布他本赛季不会回归时，在一份由球队发布的声明中说，他将“继续专注于”他的健康，“希望我将来能够重返教练岗位。”
米奇·约翰逊说，他还没有时间“处理”考虑他的未来。但他重申，球队中每个人的首要任务是波波维奇的健康。
文班亚马说：“我相信波普会尽他所能回来，恢复他的活力。”“我也相信米奇会成长为这个角色。所以，我认为我们掌握在好人手中。我们整个团队都在互相支持。”
“……我已经准备好迎接任何事情，我知道球队会做出好的决定。”
无论发生什么，马刺队都相信他们会从在球队历史上最艰难的赛季之一中奋力拼搏中受益。
马穆克拉什维利说：“更衣室里的团结和凝聚力，球员自身的成长，彼此的信心和信任，都得到了很大的提高。”“我真的很满意我们的融合程度，下一步很快就会到来。我认为这将是一个好的结果。”
San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama performs tricks with a miniature basketball following a 125-118 victory over the Toronto Raptors on Fan Appreciation Night at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Sunday, April 13, 2025.
San Antonio Spurs fans cheer on their team in the final minutes of the game against the Toronto Raptors at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Sunday, April 13, 2025. The Spurs defeated the Raptors 125-118.
San Antonio Spurs forward Keldon Johnson (0) thanks the fans for supporting the Spurs during the last game of the season against the Toronto Raptors at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Sunday, April 13, 2025.
San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) throws out t-shirts to fans following the Spurs’ last game of the season at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Sunday, April 13, 2025. The Spurs defeated the Raptors 125-118 on Fan Appreciation Night.
San Antonio Spurs forward Jeremy Sochan uses a t-shirt cannon to launch free shirts to fans on Fan Appreciation Night at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Sunday, April 13, 2025. The Spurs defeated the Toronto Raptors 125-118 on the Spurs’ last game of the season.
San Antonio Spurs guard Chris Paul (3) answers questions following a Spurs’ win against the Toronto Raptors on Fan Appreciation Night at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Sunday, April 13, 2025. The Spurs defeated the Raptors 125-118.
San Antonio Spurs fans cheer on their team in the final minutes of the game against the Toronto Raptors at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Sunday, April 13, 2025. The Spurs defeated the Raptors 125-118.
San Antonio Spurs’ De’Aaron Fox and Keldon Johnson smile as they prepare to throw out t-shirts to fans after the NBA game against the Toronto Raptors at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Sunday, April 13, 2025. The Spurs defeated the Raptors 125-118 on Fan Appreciation Night.
San Antonio Spurs’ Sandro Mamukelashvili, from left, Victor Wembanyama (1) and Harrison Ingram (55) line up to shake hands with the Toronto Raptors after the Spurs’ last game of the season at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Sunday, April 13, 2025. The Spurs defeated the Raptors 125-118.
San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama uses a t-shirt cannon to launch free shirts to fans on Fan Appreciation Night at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Sunday, April 13, 2025. The Spurs defeated the Toronto Raptors 125-118 on the Spurs’ last game of the season.
San Antonio Spurs guard Chris Paul (3) waits for Toronto Raptors free throws during the first half at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Sunday, April 13, 2025.
San Antonio Spurs forward Harrison Barnes (40) collides with Toronto Raptors’ Colin Castleton (11) as they go up for the rebound during the first half at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Sunday, April 13, 2025.
San Antonio Spurs forward Harrison Barnes (40) looks around Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes (4) during the first half at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Sunday, April 13, 2025.
Toronto Raptors guard A.J. Lawson (0) lays the ball in around San Antonio Spurs guard Malaki Branham (22) during the first half at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Sunday, April 13, 2025.
San Antonio Spurs forward Keldon Johnson (0) goes up for a shot around Toronto Raptors guard Jamal Shead (23) during the first half at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Sunday, April 13, 2025.
After the last game of the San Antonio Spurs’ season, Victor Wembanyama embraces a fan as he walks back to the locker room at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Sunday, April 13, 2025. The Spurs defeated the Raptors 125-118 on Fan Appreciation Night.
San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama reacts as Spurs guard Blake Wesley (14), not pictured, makes a shot over the Toronto Raptors during the second half at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Sunday, April 13, 2025. The Spurs defeated the Raptors 125-118 on Fan Appreciation Night.
San Antonio Spurs guard Blake Wesley (14) reacts after making a shot over the Toronto Raptors during the second half at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Sunday, April 13, 2025. The Spurs defeated the Raptors 125-118 on Fan Appreciation Night.
San Antonio Spurs forward Sandro Mamukelashvili (54) goes up for a shot over Toronto Raptors center Colin Castleton (11) during the second half at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Sunday, April 13, 2025. The Spurs defeated the Raptors 125-118 on Fan Appreciation Night.
San Antonio Spurs guard Devin Vassell cheers on his teammates from the bench during the second half against the Toronto Raptors at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Sunday, April 13, 2025. The Spurs defeated the Raptors 125-118 on Fan Appreciation Night.
San Antonio Spurs forward Jeremy Sochan, center left, and center Victor Wembanyama, center right, embrace as they cheer on their teammates from the bench during the second half against the Toronto Raptors at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Sunday, April 13, 2025. The Spurs defeated the Raptors 125-118 on Fan Appreciation Night.
San Antonio Spurs forward Sandro Mamukelashvili (54) goes up for a shot during the second half against the Toronto Raptors at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Sunday, April 13, 2025. The Spurs defeated the Raptors 125-118 on Fan Appreciation Night.
San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) during the second half against the Toronto Raptors at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Sunday, April 13, 2025. The Spurs defeated the Raptors 125-118 on Fan Appreciation Night.
San Antonio Spurs forward Julian Champagnie (30) attempts a shot as the third quarter ends in the game against the Toronto Raptors at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Sunday, April 13, 2025. The Spurs defeated the Raptors 125-118 on Fan Appreciation Night.
San Antonio Spurs forward Harrison Barnes (40) takes a shot over Toronto Raptors forward Jonathan Mogbo (2) and center Colin Castleton (11) during the second half at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Sunday, April 13, 2025. The Spurs defeated the Raptors 125-118 on Fan Appreciation Night.
San Antonio Spurs forward Harrison Barnes (40) goes up for a shot over Toronto Raptors center Colin Castleton (11) during the second half at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Sunday, April 13, 2025. The Spurs defeated the Raptors 125-118 on Fan Appreciation Night.
San Antonio Spurs forward Keldon Johnson (0) grabs the rebound over Toronto Raptors forward Jamison Battle (77) during the second half at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Sunday, April 13, 2025. The Spurs defeated the Raptors 125-118 on Fan Appreciation Night.
San Antonio Spurs forward Keldon Johnson (0) reacts as a foul is called on the Toronto Raptors during the second half at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Sunday, April 13, 2025. Johnson lead the Spurs with 23 points to defeat the Raptors 125-118 on Fan Appreciation Night.
San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) goes up for a shot around Toronto Raptors forward Jamison Battle (77) during the second half at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Sunday, April 13, 2025. The Spurs defeated the Raptors 125-118 on Fan Appreciation Night.
San Antonio Spurs guard Chris Paul (3) drives down the court during the second half against the Toronto Raptors at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Sunday, April 13, 2025. The Spurs defeated the Raptors 125-118 on Fan Appreciation Night.
San Antonio Spurs forward Keldon Johnson (0) goes up for a shot over Toronto Raptors forward Jonathan Mogbo (2) during the second half at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Sunday, April 13, 2025. The Spurs defeated the Raptors 125-118 on Fan Appreciation Night.
San Antonio Spurs forward Julian Champagnie (30) and guard Stephon Castle (5) wait for the starting line up to be announced before taking on the Toronto Raptors at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Sunday, April 13, 2025.
点击查看原文：'Resilient' Spurs close season with comeback win over Raptors
‘Resilient’ Spurs close season with comeback win over Raptors
San Antonio Spurs forward Sandro Mamukelashvili (54) hypes up his teammate San Antonio Spurs forward Harrison Barnes (40) as the team goes into a timeout during the first half against the Toronto Raptors at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Sunday, April 13, 2025.
It’s finally over, but it won’t be soon forgotten.
In a season filled with unforeseen circumstances they could have used as excuses to just go through the motions, the Spurs maintained a healthy perspective and never stopped plugging away.
And they’re proud of it.
“Adversity is everywhere, and you’ve got to stay resilient,” forward Sandro Mamukelashvili said. “I feel like that’s my favorite word: resilient. I think we did.”
“We never hung our heads,” forward Julian Champagnie said. "We came out and hooped every game.”
That included the season finale.
Fittingly, the Spurs overcame a 22-point third period deficit to down the Toronto Raptors, 125-118, Sunday at the Frost Bank Center.
Keldon Johnson finished with 23 points on 10-of-14 shooting. Stephon Castle had 20, and Harrison Barnes scored 18.
Year Two of the Victor Wembanyama era was fraught with situations that could have crippled the team from a mental standpoint.
Just five games into the season, Hall of Famer Gregg Popovich suffered a mild stroke that kept him away from the bench the entire season and could end his coaching career. Then in February, with the Spurs still eyeing a play-in berth, doctors diagnosed Wembanyama with a blood clot in his right shoulder that ended his season. That punch to the gut led to De’Aaron Fox’s season-ending hand surgery, which all but guaranteed the club’s playoff drought would stretch to a franchise-worst six seasons.
Despite all of it, and injuries that hampered Devin Vassell, Jeremy Sochan and Charles Bassey, the Spurs still managed to finish 34-48 after winning just 22 games the last two seasons.
“I think the team has progressed," said Mitch Johnson, the assistant who filled in as acting coach after Popovich fell ill.
"There’s a lot of things we feel good about. The record has even progressed with all the circumstances. And we knew this was not a quick fix or a get-rich (quick) scheme where you win 60 games in the second year of this process that we’ve started laying the foundation for. It’s something we are embracing and doing the right way, which is not going to be quick.”
The highlights of the season included Castle finishing the season as the presumptive Rookie of the Year and 39-year-old future Hall of Famer Chris Paul, the aging Barnes and Champagnie becoming the first Spurs trio to appear in every regular-season game since 2001-02, when Tim Duncan, Antonio Daniels and Malik Rose did it.
But the season will also be remembered for who wasn’t there for 82 games, or in the case of Wembanyama far fewer.
“It’s definitely been all the way up and down," Champagnie said. “There’s been a lot of inconsistencies in terms of guys being hurt, guys in, guys out. That’s just basketball. That’s the nature of the beast.”
Despite the adversity, the Spurs held things together and managed to go 11-19 without Wembanyama, a stretch that included memorable wins over the the New York Knicks and the Golden State Warriors.
The players heaped much of the credit on Mitch Johnson for maintaining their famous “Pound the Rock” standard set by Popovich in the course of becoming the NBA’s all-time winningest coach.
“He’s done a great job of keeping that up, keeping the spirits high, keeping the team together, keeping the locker room together,” said Fox, who joined the Spurs in a blockbuster three-team trade on Feb. 3 after 7 ½ seasons with Sacramento.
“Everybody back there respects Mitch,” Fox added. “He’s been awesome ever since I’ve been here.”
But Mitch Johnson deflected the praise.
“The staff, the organization, the players in that locker room just held it together,” he said. “They didn’t drop the rope, they didn’t flinch … and it’s very rewarding to go through that experience with that group.”
Regardless of who deserves credit, the Spurs kept fighting in a manner that even made Wembanyama jealous.
"I’ve seen some energy on the court and dedication that has grown throughout the season, and, at some point. I even felt like, ‘Damn, I wish we played like that when I was there,’ " Wembanyama said. “These guys do dirty work, they sacrifice for the team every single game. Of course, we always think about the guys like KJ (Keldon Johnson) or Blake (Wesley) who are just machines giving a hundred percent all the time, but the whole team embraced that energy.”
Speaking to reporters for the first time since he was ruled out for the season, Wembanyama dismissed any concerns about his future, saying he “will be ready” for the start of next season.
“It is a really slight setback,” the All-Star center said.
Less certain is the coaching situation. In announcing in late February that he would not return this season, Popovich, 76, said in a statement issued by the team that we would “continue to focus" on his health "with the hope I can return to coaching in the future.”
Mitch Johnson said he hasn’t had time yet to “deal with” thinking about his future. But he reiterated the No. 1 priority for everyone in the organization is Popovich’s health.
“I trust Pop to (do) all he can to come back, to get his energy back,” Wembanyama said. "And I also trust Mitch to grow into that role. So, I think we are in good hands. We’re supporting each other all throughout the organization.
“…I’m ready for anything and I know the organization will do the good decisions.”
No matter what happens, the Spurs believe they will benefit from fighting their way through one of the toughest seasons in franchise history.
“The connectiveness and unity in the locker room, the growth of the players themselves, the confidence and the trust in each other, has grown a lot,” Mamukelashvili said. “I am really happy how we have meshed the next step is coming real soon. I think it will be a good one.”
By Tom Orsborn, Staff Writer, via San Antonio Express-News
