SAN ANTONIO — With three preseason games in the books and two more remaining, San Antonio Spurs forward Jeremy Sochan sees areas the team must correct before the start of the regular season versus the Mavericks.
"I think as always, defense, just communication, and playing hard," Sochan said. "Recently, we've been playing harder than the first game."
It's no surprise Sochan listed defense immediately.
During the 2022-23 season, San Antonio owned the worst Defensive Rating in the entire league at 119.6, gave up 19 opponent points off turnovers good for 28th in the league, and gave up 123.1 opponent points per game.
However, through three preseason games, the team is showing a better effort on defense.
"Every game we're getting better on defense and trying to make the right plays," Keldon Johnson said. "Our intensity has been there."
Against the Rockets on Monday night, the Spurs recorded nine blocks and held the Rockets to under 50 points.
Not terrible for a team without three of the better defenders: Victor Wembayama, Tre Jones, and Devin Vassell.
But Sochan didn't just address a continuing improvement on defense.
Offensively, he likes the team to move the basketball and for teammates to move off the ball more.
"And just on offense again, move the ball more, cut more off the ball, do a little bit more, because sometimes it's a little stagnant," he said. "We're just playing one-on-one."
Through three preseason games, the Spurs are on the lower end of the NBA averaging a mere 110.0 points per game, and are connecting on just 45.3% from the field and 38.7% from the three-point line.
But that is what the preseason is about: Allowing teams to shake out the rust, develop chemistry, and work on different lineups before the regular season begins where wins and losses matter.
The Spurs are 1-2 in preseason action with dates with the Rockets and Warriors before opening night. That'll be two more games for the offense and defense to round into form.
Keep in mind, that lineups have been varying from game to game during the preseason. Also, Johnson and Sochan recently returned to the court, so team chemistry isn't ripe yet.
The Spurs are expected to have Wembanyama, Vassell, and Jones back on the court versus Houston on Wednesday night which will lend to getting the team as ready as they can be.
Said Johnson Monday night, "Every game we're getting better on defense and trying to make the right plays."
And Sochan agrees.
"When it's easier for us, then we create way more once the ball starts moving, once we start moving," he said.
Twitter: @KENS5, @JeffGSpursKENS5
