Spurs Spotlight: Fred VanVleet.

VanVleet has more than delivered thus far.

Fred VanVleet was somewhat controversially acquired in a sign-and-trade for Avery Bradley to the Toronto Raptors, but VanVleet has definitely hushed any concerns about fit and value to his new team, excelling in the fast break and showcasing point guard capabilities that remind Spurs fans of Manu Ginobili. A second upgrade is VanVleet's apparent perimeter shooting, an area where Bradley showed flashes but ultimately struggled to stride in.

Against the Memphis Grizzlies, VanVleet scored a season-high 25 points and has all but kept the defensive intensity of Avery Bradley, averaging 1.5 steals-per-game and dishing 4.4 assists. Fred is shooting a higher overall percentage (48%) from the field and standing pat to his career 3PT percentage with 38% this far into the season, fluctuating up to 40% and under. VanVleet is scoring 12.7ppg and only averaging .7 turnovers which is down from his time in Toronto (highest mark having been 1.5tpg last season). With Rajon Rondo being the primary backup one spot, Fred hasn't had as much of a load as he did in Toronto backing up Kyle Lowry. Less has definitely been more. FVV has scored above 20 points four times, and at least double that in double figures.

With the starting 2 spot, VanVleet has his eye on improving in every area moving forward. "The transition has been great. This organization is world-class, everybody knows that. I'm just focusing on every aspect of my individual game and trying to be a vital part of our offensive execution." When asked about the Spurs early season win streak, VanFleet smiled with a joke. "Going 16-0 was amazing. I was glad to see us gel so well so early in the season. We've only lost three times, so we're doing good things here, for sure. I'm very happy so far."

So are the Spurs, VanVleet. Keep it up.

Spurs dominate 1st Quarter in Portland (37-13), win 130-98.

The Blazers had no fire tonight.

The Spurs won all four quarters in the scoring column, as Iman Shumpert scored 28 points off five 3PTers and VanVleet dropped 22 on the Blazers. Rajon Rondo was highly effective with 15 points, 5 assists as the Spurs star trio got some much needed rest with a Lakers game on the horizon.

The Rest: Joe Harris had 11 points, with Bazemore's 10 helping the lead stay put. Ingram scored ten in limited action, with Murray scoring 9. Drummond got his in, his being 21 rebounds and a sick alley-oop on the fast break and a poster jam over Zach Collins.

Fast-Break/Defense: The Spurs scored 40 points in transition, forcing 9 turnovers with 7 blocks. San Antone shot 42% from the perimeter, dominating the interior with 78 points in the paint to lead by as much as 34 points. They dished 37 assists and shot 63% overall from the field.

The Blazers shot 4-19 from 3PT range and their interior defense was very bad, shooting just 45% overall. Lillard had 17 points with 8 assists, but 4 turnovers. Prospect Nassir Little had 17 points, also. High-pick Isaiah Stewart (#14 overall) scored 14 points. C.J. McCollum scored just 11 points.

Spurs led by Murray overpower feisty Nuggets, 122-108.

Dejounte Murray had 20+ after one quarter, finishing with 36 points (a point short of his career-high), 8 assists & 5 steals as the Spurs overpowered a feisty start by Denver, despite strong showings by Jamaal Murray (26 points) and Nikola Jokic (25 points, 12 rebounds). The Spurs burst into the second quarter, winning it 33-19, then subsequently both second half quarters (34-30; 32-31) to win heartily in the high altitude.

Overall, Murray is having a great season so far. He is passing the ball more efficiently, cementing his status as floor general, and having Rajon Rondo mentoring him has definitely paid dividends. His scoring may be down (mostly because Brandon Ingram is scoring more, which is also great to see), 15.4 down from 17.3 last season), but he is up 6.3 in assists compared to 5.6, and controlling the ball better at 1.1.tpg compared to 1.6 last season. Most impressively, Dejounte is shooting 43% from long range, having become more in-tune with his strengths and weak points as a player, not going for so many shots from deep that resulted in 30% last season. When he does fire from afar, Murray is hitting. Also up are Murray's steals, 2.1 up from 1.5 last season.

The Rest: Kent Bazemore scored 14 points, getting his 3PT percentage back up to 35% after experiencing a cold streak, showing restraint and picking his spots better. Joe Harris scored 14. Drummond had a low-key double-double, 10&10, with Brandon Ingram scoring 13 as VanVleet dished 7 assists.