A Spur Of Faith

The organization had placed its faith in him—not as a development project or future consideration, but as an immediate cornerstone.

Markus sprawled across his couch, Tanka flopped beside him with his head resting on Markus's leg. The German Shepherd puppy had nearly doubled in size since they'd gotten him, already showing serious protective instincts whenever someone approached the door.

He flipped through channels, pausing when he hit TNT's Inside the NBA. Charles Barkley's booming voice filled the living room.

"—absolute madness! The Spurs have LOST THEIR MINDS!" Charles was in rare form, hands waving wildly as Ernie Johnson tried unsuccessfully to calm him. "You're telling me they traded away their starting point guard to hand the Ferrari keys to a ROOKIE? A SECOND-ROUND PICK?"

Kenny Smith leaned forward. "But Chuck, if you've actually watched this kid play—"

"I don't care if he's the second coming of Magic Johnson!" Charles interrupted. "It's PRESEASON! Everybody looks good in preseason!"

Shaq's deep laughter rumbled in the background. "Man, you just salty 'cause you lost that bet on the Suns game."

"I ain't salty about nothin'!" Charles shot back. "Look, I'm just saying—when's the last time a championship contender was led by a rookie point guard? NEVER! That's when!"

"Championship contender?" Kenny raised an eyebrow. "Nobody said they're contending this year."

"Then why they making all these win-now moves?" Charles demanded. "You don't trade for OG Anunoby and Mitchell Robinson if you're rebuilding! Those are 'we want to win right now' moves!"

Ernie finally managed to cut in. "The reporting suggests San Antonio sees something special in the Reinhart-Wembanyama connection. Their two-man game has been remarkably effective, even in limited minutes."

"It's PRESEASON!" Charles shouted again, throwing his hands up. "Wait till they face real defensive schemes! Wait till coaches start game-planning specifically for them!"

"You know who this kid reminds me of?" Shaq suddenly interjected. "Chris Paul when he first came in. Not the most athletic, but sees everything. Like he's playing chess—"

Charles rolled his eyes dramatically. "Oh Lord, here we go with the chess analogies."

"I'm just saying—"

"You know what though," Charles interrupted, suddenly serious. "If—and that's a big IF—this kid is really what they think he is, and you pair him with Wembanyama? That's scary. Like, keep-me-up-at-night scary. A seven-foot-four unicorn with a point guard who knows exactly how to use him? League better hope they wrong about this kid."

Kenny nodded. "That's why they made these moves. They think they might have something generational with these two."

"We'll see," Charles said skeptically. "Talk to me after they play some real games."

Markus turned down the volume, smirking. Let them doubt. Makes it sweeter when we prove them wrong.

His phone buzzed with a team notification: practice moved up to 9AM tomorrow. New arrivals expected. Full roster attendance mandatory.

"Showtime, boy," he said to Tanka, scratching behind the dog's ears. The pup looked up with those soulful eyes that somehow always understood exactly what he was feeling.

—

The practice facility was buzzing when Markus arrived the next morning. Media crews had set up outside to catch the first footage of OG Anunoby and Mitchell Robinson in Spurs gear. Inside, coaches huddled around whiteboards, redesigning plays to incorporate the new pieces.

Markus wasn't the first player there for once. Vassell was already on the court putting up threes, Wembanyama working on post moves with an assistant, and Sochan stretching on the sideline.

"There he is!" Vassell called out, spinning a ball on his finger. "The man who got Tre Jones traded!"

"Man, shut up," Markus laughed, dropping his bag and joining the impromptu shootaround. "That wasn't me."

"Please." Vassell passed him the ball with some extra zip. "You think they make these moves if you're not cooking? They just shipped out their starting point guard because they think you're better right now."

Markus shrugged, draining a three from the corner. "Just trying to contribute."

"Contribute?" Vassell doubled over laughing. "Bro, you sound like a damn press conference! It's just us. You can admit you're hyped."

Before Markus could respond, the facility doors swung open. OG Anunoby walked in first, built like a heavyweight boxer but moving with surprising grace. Mitchell Robinson followed, his seven-foot frame making even the spacious doorway seem small.

The room's energy shifted instantly.

"Gentlemen," Pop called, appearing from a side door. "Let's welcome our new teammates."

They gathered at center court for introductions. No fancy speeches, just straightforward Spurs culture—respect, purpose, and work.

"First hour: basic sets and terminology for OG and Mitchell," Pop announced. "Rest of you, shooting work and individual development. Full team integration at 11."

As they broke into groups, Robinson approached Markus with his massive hand extended. "Yo, looking forward to setting screens for you. Caught that Miami game—nice dimes."

"Appreciate it," Markus replied, shaking hands. "Your roll timing is crazy. Gonna open up a lot for us."

"That's what I do," Robinson grinned. "Get guards open, clean the glass, send some shots into the stands. Simple game."

Across the court, Wembanyama and Anunoby were deep in conversation, Victor's animated gestures contrasting with OG's reserved demeanor.

"Those two together on defense..." Vassell shook his head. "That's just unfair. Length for DAYS."

The observation hit Markus suddenly. With Wembanyama, Anunoby, and Robinson, the Spurs had assembled one of the most physically imposing defensive frontcourts in the league. Shot-blocking, switchability, and rim protection in abundance.

During a water break, Markus found himself next to Anunoby, both watching Robinson work with assistants on screen angles.

"Y'all run much Princeton action in Toronto?" Markus asked.

"Some," OG replied economically. "Different terminology, similar concepts."

"Your baseline fade to the corner is perfect for our system. I'll find you there."

OG studied him for a moment. "You different than most rookies."

"How so?"

"Not trying to get your own stats first. thirteen assists, only fourteen shots last game."

Markus shrugged. "Team needed connections more than points."

"Respect that." OG nodded slightly. "Let's get to work then."

The full team practice revealed both promise and problems—flashes of seamless connection mixed with confused rotations and timing issues. New teammates learning each other's tendencies in real-time.

Pop's whistle punctuated the session constantly, stopping play to correct positioning or demonstrate movements.

"OG—right there, that's your read!" he called during a defensive drill. "When the low man rotates, you're splitting the difference. Eyes on both!"

Another whistle. "Markus, Mitchell's roll timing is different from Victor's. Lower, more force on the bounce."

By session's end, everyone was drenched in sweat, but the mood was positive. New connections forming, a team identity beginning to take shape.

Before they left, Pop handed Markus a tablet. "Study this tonight. Houston's defensive schemes. I want your thoughts tomorrow."

"Yes sir."

—

A full day of team meetings followed, breaking down exactly what each player brought to the roster. Pop had the coaching staff create detailed presentations on how all the pieces would fit together.

SPURS ROSTER BREAKDOWN

MARKUS REINHART (19) - POINT GUARD

Elite basketball IQ and court vision

Exceptional in pick-and-roll (99th percentile in summer league)

High-efficiency shooter from all three levels

Defensive anticipation makes up for average lateral quickness

Areas for development: Adding muscle, finishing through contact, defensive stamina

DEVIN VASSELL (22) - SHOOTING GUARD

Two-way wing with 38.7% three-point shooting

Developing as a secondary creator off the dribble

High defensive potential with 6'10" wingspan

Perfect complement to Markus – can play off-ball or create when needed

Areas for development: Consistency in pressure situations, playmaking decisions

OG ANUNOBY (26) - SMALL FORWARD

Low-maintenance 38% three-point shooter

Can guard positions 1-4 effectively

Areas for development: Creating off the dribble, secondary playmaking

VICTOR WEMBANYAMA (19) - POWER FORWARD

(7'4" with 8' wingspan)

Already elite rim protector (4.2 blocks per 36 minutes in preseason)

Once-in-a-generation physical profile with guard skills

Areas for development: Adding weight, post footwork, handling physical centers

MITCHELL ROBINSON (25) - CENTER

Elite shot blocker (1.8 BPG career)

League-leading offensive rebounder

76% FG shooter (mostly dunks and putbacks)

Areas for development: Free throw shooting, offensive repertoire, foul management

KEY ROTATION PLAYERS

JEREMY SOCHAN (20) - Defensive specialist, developing shooter

MALAKI BRANHAM (20) - Microwave scorer, instant offense off bench

BLAKE WESLEY (20) - Athletic guard, defensive potential

ZACH COLLINS (25) - Stretch big, veteran presence

"This," Pop explained, pointing at the screen, "is why we made these moves. Look at the complementary skills. The age alignment. The two-way potential."

Brian Wright, the GM, stepped forward. "We're not saying this is a championship roster today. But the ceiling? There's a path to something special here. That's why we accelerated our timeline."

Vassell raised his hand. "So what's the expectation this season? Playoffs? Development? Both?"

"Growth," Pop answered firmly. "Individual and collective. No specific win targets or playoff mandates. But also no accepting 'rookie learning curves' as excuses for inconsistency."

As the meeting broke up, Markus scrolled through the detailed breakdown of each player's strengths and weaknesses. The organization had built something with remarkable intentionality—every piece serving a purpose, every skill addressing a need.

Now they just had to make it work on the court.

—

Troy, the head performance coach, had Markus on a specialized strength program that was finally showing visible results. Six weeks in, and his frame was filling out in ways that translated directly to on-court performance.

"Deeper into the heel," Troy instructed, adjusting Markus's foot placement during a weighted squat. "Drive from the glute, not the quad."

Sweat poured down his face as he pushed through his fourth set. His muscles screamed in protest, but he maintained perfect form through the final repetition.

"Six more," Troy called out. "Keep it tight!"

The weight room had become his second home. Each exercise connected to specific basketball movements—defensive slides, change-of-direction explosiveness, finishing through contact.

"That's it!" Troy nodded as Markus racked the weight after the final rep. "You're accessing power you didn't have before. Starting to see it translate on court too."

Markus grabbed his water bottle, breathing hard. "Still feels weird sometimes. Like my body's responding differently than I expect."

"That's your brain rewiring neural pathways," Troy explained. "Learning to recruit different muscle fibers in different sequences."

Next came force production work on a specialized plate embedded in the floor that measured power output, force angles, and millisecond-level timing.

"Explode on three," Troy instructed. "Maximum vertical, then land soft."

Twenty minutes later, completely drained, Markus headed for the recovery area—cold tubs, compression therapy, nutrient replacement. The intensity of professional development continued to impress him. Nothing left to chance, every aspect of performance methodically enhanced.

As he lowered himself into the frigid water of the recovery tub, Vassell emerged from his own session, towel wrapped around his shoulders.

"Still hate that shit," Vassell laughed, nodding toward the cold tub. "Three years in, and it never gets easier."

"Worth it though," Markus replied through chattering teeth.

"For sure." Vassell dropped onto a recovery table where a staff member began applying compression wraps to his legs. "Yo, you catch Barkley going off about you last night?"

"Some of it."

"That letting your teenager drive your Ferrari line had me DYING!" Vassell cackled. "But for real—Twitter was exploding about it and you just keep working."

"Twitter's not signing my checks," Markus replied, sinking deeper into the ice bath despite his body's protests. "Pop is."

—

The Toyota Center in Houston hummed with that unique preseason energy—not the full madness of regular season, but the anticipation of possibility. First glimpses at reconstructed rosters. New potential emerging.

Markus moved through his pregame routine methodically, progressing through shooting spots, working up a light sweat, finding his rhythm. Nearby, Anunoby went through his preparations with similar focus. Robinson worked close to the basket, emphasizing touch around the rim. Wembanyama's unique routine drew attention from early-arriving fans, his seven-foot-four frame executing guard-like dribbling combinations.

"You ready for this?" Vassell asked, joining Markus as he finished his final shooting sequence.

"Born ready," Markus replied, feeling the familiar pre-game electricity building in his system.

"OG hasn't said more than ten words all day," Vassell observed with a laugh. "Man is LOCKED in."

"That's his superpower. Toronto guys said he could go a whole practice without speaking, then call out the perfect defensive adjustment right when needed."

The ball tipped at exactly 7:30, and immediately Houston's aggressive defense tested the Spurs' new configurations. The lack of familiarity showed in early possessions—timing slightly off, spacing occasionally cramped, defensive rotations a step delayed.

After a particularly ugly turnover, Markus clapped his hands sharply. "Reset! Horn series!"

The called action initiated—Wembanyama and Robinson setting synchronized screens at the elbows, Vassell and Anunoby reading the defensive reaction to determine their cuts. The execution wasn't perfect, but it established the foundation.

Houston built an eight-point lead before Pop called timeout, gathering his somewhat frustrated group.

"Expected," he stated simply. "New pieces, new connections. Simplify. Find what works, repeat it, build from there."

Returning to the floor, Markus adjusted—calling fewer complex sets, focusing instead on simple two-man actions with Wembanyama where their established chemistry could create advantages.

The strategy worked immediately. A high screen-and-roll with Wembanyama drew multiple defenders, creating a weakside opening that Markus exploited with a cross-court pass to Anunoby for an open three.

"There we GO!" Vassell shouted as they ran back on defense. "That's what I'm talking about!"

Progress came in irregular bursts—promising possessions followed by confused ones, defensive stops undermined by offensive miscommunications. By halftime, they trailed by twelve.

Pop focused entirely on process rather than result during the break. "Getting better," he noted, reviewing specific sequences. "OG, your weak-side positioning is creating good help opportunities. Mitchell, strong rim protection. Missing some communication on the backside rotation when you step up."

The third quarter revealed a different team—not completely cohesive, but more connected, more purposeful. Markus focused less on his own scoring and more on generating quality looks for teammates still finding their offensive comfort zones.

A behind-the-back pass hit Robinson rolling to the rim for a thunderous dunk that had the Houston crowd grudgingly impressed. A perfectly timed entry feed allowed Wembanyama to establish deep post position against a smaller defender. A kickout found Anunoby for a corner three after multiple defenders collapsed on penetration.

"You making it EASY!" Robinson exclaimed during a free throw break, having converted another interior feed. "Just put my hands up, ball finds them!"

"That's the job," Markus replied, already planning the next possession.

The final score—Houston 108, San Antonio 98—reflected the expected challenges of integrating major pieces mid-preseason, but the trajectory within the game told a more important story. Progress. Connection. Foundation.

Markus finished with 15 points and 16 assists, focusing more on distribution than scoring, building chemistry with his new teammates.

"Better," Pop assessed afterward. "Not good yet, but better. Film tomorrow will show clear improvements and clear areas to address."

—

Training intensity ramped up following the Houston game. For Markus, this meant detailed work on adjusting pick-and-roll deliveries for different roll men—Robinson requiring lower, more forceful feeds than Wembanyama, who could catch practically anything within his extraordinary reach radius.

"Again!" Coach Will Hardy barked, positioning defenders to simulate Houston's coverage pattern. "Robinson setting flat, Vassell corner, OG lifting. Read the tag!"

The drill replicated game situations with methodical precision—specific movements, defensive rotations, decision points all choreographed to develop recognition patterns.

"That's it!" Hardy nodded as Markus threaded a perfect bounce pass through a narrow window. "That's the read. Five more times, then switch sides."

In a separate session with the player development coach, Markus worked on specific scoring techniques—finishing packages against rotating big men, floater variations, footwork patterns for creating separation.

"Drop step, hesitation, crossover," the coach demonstrated at half-speed. "Creates the angle for either the pull-up or the drive, depending on the defender's reaction."

Markus replicated the movement, his body learning the sequence through repetition. Sweat soaked through his practice jersey, legs heavy from hours of work, but his focus remained sharp.

"Good!" the coach approved after a particularly smooth execution. "Now let's add the counter when they overplay."

Between sessions, Markus stumbled into the nutrition room, legs wobbling slightly from fatigue. He found Wembanyama and Robinson already there, demolishing protein-packed recovery meals.

"You look dead," Robinson laughed, sliding a prepared shake across the table. "Drink this before you fall over."

"Thanks," Markus managed, dropping into a chair. "Hardy had me running pick-and-roll variations for an hour straight."

"Same," Wembanyama nodded. "Different finishing packages based on defender position. Very specific details."

"That's the Spurs way," Robinson said, having experienced multiple organizations already in his young career. "Attention to detail here is different. New York was all about energy and effort. Here, it's about precision."

As they ate, the conversation shifted to upcoming opponents, potential rotations, expectations for the regular season. Not forced team bonding, just professional athletes sharing information and building rapport naturally.

"You ever gonna tell us what that shoulder-touch thing is before games?" Robinson asked suddenly, referring to the brief ritual Markus had begun incorporating.

"Nothing special," Markus shrugged. "Just a focus moment."

"Man's got SECRETS!" Robinson hooted, pointing at Vassell as he entered the room. "Probably some mystical Detroit thing. Urban shamanism!"

"Says the person who has to touch EVERY line on the court during warmups," Vassell shot back, grabbing an apple from the nutrition station.

"That's different," Robinson protested. "That's proven scientific superstition!"

-

The final preseason game against Golden State created substantial buzz. Warriors with their championship pedigree and aging core. Spurs with their reconstructed roster built around emerging young talent.

Chase Center was packed even for preseason, Warriors fans notorious for their passionate support. The visitors' locker room hummed with focused preparation, the lessons from Houston incorporated into their approach.

"Last test before the real thing," Pop reminded them. "Warriors run complex offensive actions—split cuts, second-side movement, relocation patterns. Perfect opportunity to test our defensive communication."

He turned specifically to Markus. "Curry will test you. Not just his shooting, but his constant movement, conditioning challenge. Good preparation for what's coming."

In the tunnel before taking the court, Wembanyama nudged Markus. "First time seeing Curry in person?"

"Yeah."

From the opening possession, Curry's perpetual motion created defensive challenges unlike anything Markus had experienced—navigating multiple screens, recovering against sudden direction changes, maintaining concentration through elaborate decoy actions.

On one particularly effective sequence, Curry lost Markus completely through a series of baseline screens, emerging unexpectedly on the opposite wing for a wide-open three that splashed perfectly through the net. As they jogged back upcourt, Curry glanced over with a knowing smile.

"Welcome to the league, rook," he called, just loud enough for Markus to hear.

"Gotta fight harder through those double screens!" Pop shouted from the sideline. "Anticipate the release point!"

Markus nodded, mentally cataloging the mistake. On the next possession, he stayed tighter to Curry's hip, fighting through a screen that nearly took his head off.

"Better!" Pop called. "Now make him work on the other end!"

On offense, the Warriors applied their own challenges—switching defense designed to disrupt rhythm, experienced defenders reading tendencies, physical play testing the limits of legal contact.

During a timeout, Markus gathered the starters briefly before Pop arrived. "They're jumping our standard entry. Let's shift to the weak action, get them flowing the wrong direction."

When play resumed, the modified approach yielded immediate dividends—Warriors defenders momentarily confused by the unexpected alignment, creating driving lanes and passing angles previously unavailable. Wembanyama exploited the advantage with consecutive baskets.

"Good adjustment," Pop nodded as they returned to the bench during a Warriors timeout. "You saw it before I did."

As the game progressed, individual matchups developed their own narratives. Draymond Green's defensive intensity testing Wembanyama's composure. Anunoby shadowing Thompson through endless off-ball screens. Robinson battling for rebounding position.

"He's hunting you," Vassell warned during a free throw break, nodding toward Curry. "Knows you're a rookie. Trying to put you on a highlight."

The assessment proved accurate on the very next possession. Curry waved off a screen, initiating isolation against Markus—a clear challenge, veteran testing rookie directly. The crowd recognized the moment, the energy building.

Markus maintained disciplined positioning as Curry went through his repertoire—hesitation dribble, behind-the-back, subtle push-off to create space—before launching a step-back three from near the logo.

The ball hung in the air momentarily before dropping cleanly through the net. Curry backpedaled with a shimmy, the crowd erupting.

Rather than deflating, the moment energized Markus. On the ensuing possession, he called for a high screen, got Curry switching onto Wembanyama, then immediately relocated for a return pass and driving lane. The defensive rotation came late, allowing a clean finish at the rim.

As they crossed paths heading back downcourt, Curry gave him a small nod of approval.

Midway through the third quarter came a significant moment—Green setting a screen on Markus that crossed the line between physical and illegal, an obvious moving pick delivered with veteran craftiness just beyond the officials' sightline. The impact sent Markus to the floor, disrupting the Spurs' offensive possession.

No whistle came.

Green stood over Markus momentarily, a subtle intimidation tactic the veteran had perfected over years. Instead of accepting the non-call quietly, Markus popped up quickly, stepping directly toward Green with fire in his eyes.

"That's a moving screen all day!" he said firmly, not backing down physically despite Green's reputation.

"Welcome to the NBA, rookie!" Green fired back, chest puffed out. "Ain't no free passes here!"

Officials intervened before the exchange escalated, separating the players and issuing warnings to both.

The game's final quarter maintained its competitive edge, both coaches keeping primary rotation players involved longer than typical preseason conventions. With three minutes remaining and the Warriors leading by six, Markus orchestrated the Spurs' most impressive sequence—a perfectly executed secondary break that flowed seamlessly into weakside action, culminating in Anunoby's corner three.

Warriors coach Steve Kerr called timeout immediately, recognizing the quality of execution. In the huddle, Pop offered rare in-game acknowledgment: "That's it. That's exactly what we're building toward."

The game's final minutes featured additional highlights—Curry draining another impossible three, Wembanyama blocking Thompson at the rim, Robinson converting an offensive rebound into an emphatic putback dunk. The Warriors maintained their advantage, securing a 114-110 victory.

Markus finished with 31 points, 12 assists, and 4 rebounds—his most complete performance yet given the opposition.

In the postgame handshake line, Curry sought him out specifically. "Good composure out there," the superstar offered, genuine respect in his tone. "You got something. Looking forward to seeing what you do when it counts."

"Appreciate that," Markus replied, unable to completely hide his admiration for one of the game's all-time greats. "Learned a lot tonight."

"That's what preseason's for," Curry grinned. "Just remember—whole different animal when the real games start. They'll game plan for you specifically now."

"I'll be ready."

Curry's smile widened slightly. "We'll see. Warriors-Spurs, November 24th. Mark it down."

Back in the visitors' locker room, Pop balanced acknowledgment of progress with identification of continuing challenges. "Better connectivity, better execution under pressure. Still inconsistent defensively, especially in transition."

As media filtered in for postgame interviews, the atmosphere reflected purposeful evaluation—professional athletes analyzing performance against standards rather than emotions.

For Markus, fielding questions about facing Curry and the Green confrontation, the experience reinforced what he'd always understood intellectually but now felt viscerally: the NBA represented basketball's ultimate meritocracy, where respect came through performance, composure through challenge, and development through deliberate response to failure as much as success.