By Mike Finger | San Antonio Express-News (SAEN), 2025-12-17 13:39:25
2025年12月16日，周二，于拉斯维加斯举行的NBA杯篮球锦标赛下半场，圣安东尼奥马刺队前锋凯尔登·约翰逊 (Keldon Johnson) (3号) 在纽约尼克斯队后卫泰勒·科勒克 (Tyler Kolek) (右) 的防守下投篮。(美联社/Kirby Lee/Pool Photo)
拉斯维加斯电 – 凯尔登·约翰逊早已尝遍了失败的滋味。
至少，他自己是这么认为的。
然而直到本周二——在他NBA生涯的六年零两个月、经历马刺队302场失利之后——他才意识到，一场失利能有多么痛彻心扉。
当他在T-Mobile球馆更衣室的一角，穿上他的牛仔裤、马靴和牛仔帽时，他恍然大悟，明白了为何那晚在NBA杯锦标赛中以113-124不敌尼克斯队的失利会让他感受如此不同。
“这几乎是一种令人不适的感觉，”约翰逊说。“当你满怀赢球的期望时，失利显然会带来更沉重的打击。”
这就是为什么，在马刺队于联盟季中锦标赛这段激动人心的征程中所展现出的所有进步迹象中，最引人注目的或许是——他们终于体验到了那种真切的、实实在在的失望感。
弱队是不会心碎的。没有希望，就不会有心碎。专注于重建的球队，就像马刺过去四年大部分时间所做的那样，从来不会因一场失利而感到过度沮丧，因为重建中的球队还不确定自己是否已是胜利者。
但如今的马刺已不再仅仅是重建，过去几个月已经证明了这一点。在对他们现在和未来至关重要的四名球员中——维克托·文班亚马 (Victor Wembanyama)、德阿隆·福克斯 (De’Aaron Fox)、斯蒂芬·卡斯尔 (Stephon Castle) 和 迪伦·哈珀 (Dylan Harper)——这四人组里的每一位都至少缺席了数周的比赛。
然而，很大程度上多亏了像约翰逊、德文·瓦塞尔 (Devin Vassell)、哈里森·巴恩斯 (Harrison Barnes)、朱利安·尚帕尼 (Julian Champagnie) 和 卢克·科内特 (Luke Kornet) 这样的球员，马刺队依然在不断赢球。他们一路杀入NBA杯的最后一轮，途中战胜了掘金、湖人和雷霆等看似不可战胜的对手，并让自己坚信可以击败任何敌人。
因此，当周二晚上的锦标赛到来时，击败尼克斯的想法早已不仅仅是锦上添花，而是他们志在必得的终极大奖。
而当马刺未能在关键时刻打出应有的表现时？这让他们备受打击，也让他们学到了本以为早已明白，但直到周二晚上才真正刻骨铭心的道理。
“这关乎那些细节有多么重要，”卡斯尔说。“尤其是在那些意义更为重大的比赛中。”
现在，他们对此看得更清楚了，因为他们有机会在一个巨大的舞台上，亲身体验了因忽视细节而带来的沮丧。
但从更宏观的视角来看，他们能在此时此刻——仅仅在十二月中旬，哈珀职业生涯刚开始几个月，且球队完整阵容恢复健康并肩作战仅两场比赛之后——学到这一课，实属一种幸运。
正如福克斯本周早些时候所暗示的，像马刺这样长期无缘季后赛的NBA球队，若想最终赢得总冠军，无一不是先经历了失望的洗礼。从蒂姆·邓肯 (Tim Duncan) 到科比·布莱恩特 (Kobe Bryant)，再到勒布朗·詹姆斯 (LeBron James)、斯蒂芬·库里 (Steph Curry) 和谢伊·吉尔杰斯-亚历山大 (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander)，每一支伟大球队中的每一位伟大球员，在举起冠军奖杯之前，都必须经受季后赛失利的磨炼。
几乎可以肯定，文班亚马和他的球队也将经历同样的过程。但得益于NBA杯——尽管其压力无法与季后赛相提并论，但却能提供一个相当逼真的舞台——让他们得以提前上了一课，而大多数年轻球队通常要到四月份才能学到这些。
“能够去感受那些比赛，投入那些比赛，沉浸在那些比赛的瞬间里，”米奇·约翰逊 (Mitch Johnson) 说。“我认为这是一次宝贵的经历。”
他不是唯一这么想的人。尽管马刺队中大多数球员都缺乏第一手的季后赛经验，但更衣室里有几位拥有总冠军戒指的资深老将。巴恩斯随勇士队赢得过NBA总冠军，科内特则随凯尔特人队夺得过一次。
而这些老将们欣赏这支年轻马刺在NBA杯中表现的一点是，没有人表现出对大场面的畏惧。
“看到这种竞争性固然很好，”科内特说，“但更可贵的是，他们同时也展现出了个人的谦逊，愿意去完成球队需要的战术，或者让队友去执行，又或者主动询问‘我能在哪里帮忙？’。这会让你们作为一支球队变得更有韧性。”
现在，懂得这一点的不仅仅是科内特和巴恩斯。同样，品尝过大赛失利之痛的也不止他们二人。
几小时前，凯尔登·约翰逊穿着牛仔裤、马靴，戴着牛仔帽，肩上扛着一个巨大的手提音响，大步流星地走进球馆。那是一种坚信球队会获胜的男人所特有的意气风发。
而当夜幕降临时，他拖着沉重的步伐走出寂静的更衣室呢？
他学到了关于失败的新东西，也懂得了对于那些对自己有更高期望的人来说，失利是多么的令人难受。
这次痛心的失利是件好事。
因为，没有希望，便不会有此感伤。
San Antonio Spurs guards Devin Vassell (24) and Stephon Castle (5) contest for a rebound against New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) during the second half of the NBA Cup championship basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Ian Maule)
San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) reacts after a dunk against the New York Knicks during the first half of the NBA Cup championship basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Ian Maule)
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) shoots against New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson (23) and guard Jordan Clarkson (00) during the first half of the NBA Cup championship basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Ian Maule)
New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) shoots against San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) during the second half of the NBA Cup championship basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Ian Maule)
San Antonio Spurs guard De’Aaron Fox (4) shoots against New York Knicks guard Tyler Kolek (13) during the first half of the NBA Cup championship basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Ian Maule)
San Antonio Spurs guard Dylan Harper (2) reacts after making a 3-point basket against the New York Knicks during the second half of the NBA Cup championship basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Ian Maule)
San Antonio Spurs guard Dylan Harper (2) shoots against the New York Knicks during the first half of the NBA Cup championship basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Ian Maule)
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) shoots against New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) during the first half of the NBA Cup championship basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Ian Maule)
San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) drives against New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) during the first half of the NBA Cup championship basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Ian Maule)
New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) celebrates with teammates after his team’s victory against the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Cup championship basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Ian Maule)
New York Knicks guard Jordan Clarkson (00) and San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) contest for a loose ball during the second half of the NBA Cup championship basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Ian Maule)
New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) drives against San Antonio Spurs forward Julian Champagne (30) during the second half of the NBA Cup championship basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Ian Maule)
New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) blocks San Antonio Spurs center Luke Kornet (7) as Kornet shoots against New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) during the first half of the NBA Cup championship basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Ian Maule)
New York Knicks guard Mikal Bridges (25) shoots against San Antonio Spurs forward Julian Champagne (30) during the second half of the NBA Cup championship basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Ian Maule)
New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) shoots the ball against the San Antonio Spurs during an NBA Cup championship basketball game, Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, in Las Vegas. (Kirby Lee/Pool Photo via AP)
New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) shoots against San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) during the second half of the NBA Cup championship basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Ian Maule)
San Antonio Spurs guard De’Aaron Fox (4) shoots against New York Knicks center Ariel Hukporti (55) during the first half of the NBA Cup championship basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Ian Maule)
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) shoots against New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson (23) during the first half of the NBA Cup championship basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Ian Maule)
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。
点击查看原文：After falling in NBA Cup, why heartbreak was a big step for Spurs
After falling in NBA Cup, why heartbreak was a big step for Spurs
San Antonio Spurs forward Keldon Johnson (3) shoots the ball over New York Knicks guard Tyler Kolek, right, in the second half of an NBA Cup championship basketball game, Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, in Las Vegas. (Kirby Lee/Pool Photo via AP)
LAS VEGAS – Keldon Johnson already knew all there was to know about losing.
Or he thought he did, anyway.
It wasn’t until Tuesday – six years, two months and 302 Spurs losses into his NBA career – that he realized how much one could hurt.
And as he strapped on his jeans, boots and cowboy hat in the corner of a locker room in T-Mobile Arena, something dawned on him about why that night’s 124-113 defeat in the NBA Cup championship game against the Knicks hit him so differently.
“It was almost like one of those uncomfortable feelings,” Johnson said. “When you have the expectation to win, obviously it means more when you don’t.”
That’s why, out of all the signs of progress the Spurs showed during their stirring run through the league’s in-season tournament, the most notable one might be that they got to experience some genuine, honest-to-goodness disappointment.
Bad teams don’t get their hearts broken. Heartbreak can’t happen without hope. Franchises focused on rebuilding, as the Spurs have been for much of the past four years, never can feel too devastated by a loss, because rebuilding franchises aren’t sure they’re winners yet.
But these Spurs aren’t just rebuilding anymore, and the past couple of months have proved it. Of the four players most integral to their present and future, each member of that quartet – Victor Wembanyama, De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper – missed at least a couple of weeks.
And thanks in large part to guys like Johnson, Devin Vassell, Harrison Barnes, Julian Champagnie and Luke Kornet, the Spurs kept winning anyway. They made it all the way to the last round of the Cup, winning supposedly unwinnable games against the Nuggets, Lakers and Thunder along the way, and they convinced themselves they could beat anybody.
So by the time the championship game arrived Tuesday night, the thought of knocking off the Knicks wasn’t just a cherry on top. It was the whole prize.
And when the Spurs couldn’t quite make the plays down the stretch? It hit them hard, and it taught them something they thought they already knew, but that hadn’t really sunk in until Tuesday night.
“It’s about how much the little things matter,” Castle said. “Especially in those games where they mean a little more.”
That’s clearer to them now, because they got the chance to experience the dejection of not minding those little things on a huge stage.
But in the bigger picture, they’re privileged to be learning this now, in mid-December, just a couple of months into Harper’s career and two games into having their complete lineup healthy and together.
As Fox alluded to earlier this week, NBA teams that miss the playoffs for as long as the Spurs have never win championships without suffering some disappointment first. From Tim Duncan to Kobe Bryant to LeBron James to Steph Curry to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, every great player on every great team has had to endure playoff failure before lifting a trophy.
In all likelihood, that will be the case for Wembanyama and his team, too. But because of the Cup – which doesn’t compare to the pressure of the playoffs but can provide a reasonable imitation of the stage – they might have gotten a jump on some of the lessons most young teams first learn in April.
“To be able to feel those games, work those games, be in the moment in those games,” Mitch Johnson said. “I think (that) is a valuable experience.”
He’s not the only one who thinks so. Although most of the Spurs’ roster lacks any first-hand postseason know-how, there are a couple of veterans in the room with championship rings. Barnes won NBA titles with the Warriors. Kornet won one with the Celtics.
And what those guys enjoyed about the young Spurs’ performance in the Cup is that nobody looked afraid of the moment.
“It’s nice to see the competitiveness,” Kornet said, “but also the individual humility to make the play needed, or let another guy make the play needed, or say, ‘Where can I help?’ That makes you so much more robust as a team.”
Kornet and Barnes aren’t the only ones who understand that now. They’re also not the only ones who know about big-game heartbreak.
Hours earlier, Keldon Johnson had strode into the Arena in his jeans, his boots and his cowboy hat carrying a giant boom box on his shoulder. It was the swaggering confidence of a man who thought his team would win.
When he trudged out of a quiet locker room at the end of the night?
He’d learned something new about losing, and how uncomfortable it can be for those who expect better.
The heartbreak was a good thing.
Because it couldn’t have happened without hope.
By Mike Finger, via San Antonio Express-News