Spurs' experience highlights Raptors' rebuilding challenges

The San Antonio Spurs recently showed how difficult it can be for a team to improve, even with a star player like Victor Wembanyama. The Spurs have a record of 40 wins and 77 losses in two seasons with him. This translates to a pace of just 28 wins over a normal season. Wembanyama is currently sidelined due to a health issue but has made a noticeable impact on the court when he plays. The Spurs perform about 9.8 points better per 100 possessions with him than without him. Despite his talent, the Spurs have still struggled overall. The Toronto Raptors faced the Spurs on Sunday and lost 123-89, showcasing their own struggles this season. This defeat dropped their record to 24 wins and 47 losses, positioning them for a high pick in the upcoming NBA draft. The Raptors hope to secure a top pick, potentially selecting talent like Cooper Flagg from Duke, who performed well in a recent game. Despite their losses, the Raptors have shown improvement in recent months, with a record of 16 wins and 16 losses since mid-January. Coach Darko Rajakovic noted the team's progress, even if they had a disappointing game against the Spurs. With a promising rookie class and the possible return of injured players, there is optimism for the Raptors’ future. However, history has shown that even a highly touted rookie cannot turn a struggling team around alone. The Spurs' experience with Wembanyama serves as a reminder of this challenge, highlighting that rebuilding a team requires more than just one star player.