Why the Spurs disagree on a big takeaway from weekend series vs Nuggets

The Spurs straddle the fence between what to take from a pair of games vs. the Nuggets.

Three different San Antonio Spurs, including acting head coach Mitch Johnson, took the post-game podium following a second straight game vs. the Denver Nuggets. Johnson, Victor Wembanyama, and Harrison Barnes all had different thoughts on splitting against a squad regarded as one of the best in the NBA. Johnson saw the good. Wemby saw the good and the bad. Barnes saw the ugly.

The night before a 122-111 overtime loss at the Frost Bank Center, the Spurs had come up with a 113-110 win in Denver that might serve as their best of the season.

But with a fourth-quarter lead in San Antonio, the Spurs blew a chance to follow up a signature road win with a victory that would’ve cemented their most impressive weekend of the season.

Spurs offer differing views on mini series vs. Nuggets

Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

The team’s interim head coach since Gregg Popovich suffered a mild stroke in early November, Johnson chose to look at a bigger picture when examining the Friday and Saturday contests against the squad that won the NBA championship two years ago.

“I think all of its partially true. Frustrating loss, especially when you felt like you had some control late in the game like we did in the fourth quarter. But you don’t play a team of that caliber two nights in a row as well as we did without saying you’re doing some good things. So it’s that never-ending battle of improvement and perfection, and growing.”

On the other end of the result vs. reality spectrum was newly acquired forward Harrison Barnes. The 13th-year forward is averaging 10.9 rebounds and 3.8 rebounds per game while providing much-needed veteran leadership.

“We have a lot of belief in our locker room and every night we have an expectation to win. I think, for us, there’s no moral victory,” the University of North Carolina product said.