Victor Wembanyama reveals how Stephon Castle’s ‘unprecedented’ play fueled the NBA’s most feared defense

The San Antonio Spurs built one of the most feared defenses in the NBA. MVP-level play from Victor Vembanyama she attracted the most attention. however, The emergence of Stephon Castle as one of the best defenders in the league was an elite compliment to the French superstar.

“(Stephon) understands his role very well. The level he’s playing at is really unheard of for a second-year player,” Vembanyama said of Castle’s defense. “We make it uncomfortable for the people playing against us. That’s the goal. To have to dribble around one of the best defenders on the ball and then shoot over some of the best wing defenders, that’s very difficult.”

The Spurs have the third-best record in the NBA (43-16). on a league-best 11-game winning streak. Castle’s two-way contribution during his second season sped up San Antonio’s timeline.

The 21-year-old has been solid offensively, averaging 16.6 points and 6.8 assists on 46.7 percent shooting in 49 appearances. However, Castle’s success in an expanded defensive role was the catalyst for his impact.

Stephon Castle is flourishing as a defensive stopper with the surging Spurs

San Antonio has tasked Castle with defending the league’s best scorers every night. The 6-foot-6 guard has faced a challenge and then some, leading a defensive unit past Wembanyama that ranks third in the NBA.

Castle posted a defensive rating change of -4.7 (team points allowed per 100 possessions with a player on vs. off), the sixth-best mark in the NBA among guards who played over 1,000 minutes, according to CleaningTheGlass. The Spurs posted a 109.3 defensive rating with him and Vembanjama on the floor.

Saint Anthony MVP candidate held Cade Cunningham scored 16 points on 5-of-26 shooting in a 114-103 win over the Detroit Pistons on Monday. Cunningham shot 3-of-13 (23.1 percent) with two turnovers when Castle defended him.

“(Stephon) showed the potential to do that last year,” Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson said. “He’s had some really good moments defensively. We’ve obviously raised the bar this year, which has increased his opportunity to guard big scorers and ball-dominant guys in this league. And I think he’s proven his ability. I think he’s got to continue to develop on the ball in other ways. But I think he’s been good on the ball in the league.”

Stephon Castle’s defense against Cade Cunningham during the Spurs’ win over the Pistons

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With Castle and Wembanjama already wreaking havoc on opposition attacks, Spurs have another potential elite ball stopper in the rookie Dylan Harper. At 6-foot-5, 215 pounds with a 6-foot-10.5 wingspan and above-average athleticism, the No. 2 draft pick has caused problems for opposing ball handlers at just 19 years old.

Harper is learning on the job while supporting Castle.

“The biggest thing about Stephon is he’s a competitor. I saw that early when I got to San Antonio,” he said. “He’s going to compete no matter the situation or who he’s going against. On the biggest stages, all the work he’s put in shows. He’s physical (at the point of attack), he’s got elite wings and other guards, and then you’ve got Victor and Luke (Cornet) down on the rim, it’s like pick your poison or get your poison out.”

The Spurs are currently tied with the Cleveland Cavaliers for the third best odds (+950) to win the title, trailing only the Denver Nuggets (+600) and the Oklahoma City Thunder (+135). Vembanjama, Castle and Harper will still be on rookie contracts next season.