Story by
Why Devin Vassell is embracing Spurs’ ‘villain’ role vs. Thunder in Game 7
- Story by
- Why Devin Vassell is embracing Spurs’ ‘villain’ role vs. Thunder in Game 7
Why Devin Vassell is embracing Spurs' 'villain' role vs. Thunder in Game 7 appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
The Oklahoma City Thunder will have the rabid support of fans in the Paycom Center behind them in Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals. And San Antonio Spurs starter Devin Vassell can't wait.
Advertisement
"What could you ask for? I mean, Western Conference Finals against the defending champs in their city, in their arena. We know it's gonna be loud," the second-longest tenured Spur said before he finished the thought with a doozy.
"About to be the villains tonight, and I can't wait."
Vassell, like so many of this Spurs young core, had never experienced the NBA playoffs before this run. A seventh game is foreign territory . Though, not to his imagination.
"The coaches joke around and do certain stuff like that. Also, when you're a kid and you're in the backyard, you always, '3, 2, 1, it's the NBA finals. Woo, woo.' You shoot a shot, everybody goes crazy. You miss it, you get it back, you shoot it again. Yeah, I've done that all the time but not recently, for sure," the sixth-year Spur admitted.
Advertisement
Vassell has been instrumental against the Thunder in this series . Spurs Coach Mitch Johnson had called him the team's most consistent player. His defense, whether on Chet Holmgren , bothering Shai Gilgeous-Alexander or in rotations, has been stellar while providing several highlight-worthy plays . He has served as one of the team's better rebounders and, offensively he's averaging 14.3 points per game vs. OKC while putting up at least 20 twice.
"We're all just living in it right now," the 25-year-old continued. "We're not trying to look too far ahead. We're just focused on this game and we're blessed to be in this position."
One more victory vs. the Thunder would send Vassell and the Spurs to the NBA Finals for the first time in the franchise's storied history since 2014.
Related: 5 most memorable Game 7's in Spurs history
Related: Draymond Green reveals truth about Spurs-Thunder Game 7
