For the Spurs, there's only so much patience to go around

San Antonio has experimented, provided room for error, and given plenty of leeway to the youngest roster in the league. But certain things just won't stand as it prepares for its future.

Gregg Popovich wasn’t always as patient with players as he’s been the last couple of years, not when titles were on the line and a win-loss record actually mattered. Back then, individual development was mostly a summertime focus; progress was obviously an expectation during the regular season as well, but the bulk of that work was designated for the off months.

These days that development program truly remains open year-round for the youngest team in the league, which is necessary when it comes to building a roster that will last. And with the “start from scratch” approach the Spurs practice, patience and trust are necessities. Rome wasn’t built in a day, this wasn’t going to just happen overnight, etc… etc… etc…

But a team and coach can only provide so much leeway once the face of the franchise going forward is already in the building. And while 19-year-old Victor Wembanyama still clearly has a long way to go in his own right, the impact he has on games is already substantial enough that it requires an extra level of attention to what he’s getting from his supporting cast — one that, even considering the extreme youth, has so far revealed some real weaknesses and created glaring gaps in the rotations the coaching staff has now spent weeks trying to address.

Pop’s postgame press conference after a 130-118 loss to the Utah Jazz on Tuesday began the way countless others have over the last two seasons.

“We're not consistent offensively or defensively. We go in spurts and really haven't matured enough to understand that winning an NBA game is difficult and calls for consistency,” he said. “It’s a 48-minute game, and you can't be consistent on offense and execute on defense for 20 minutes of the game. You're not going to win that way.”

But then he took on a different tone.

Popovich has always been measured about when he goes after players in a public setting — especially with this group, considering it has six kids in the locker room who aren’t yet old enough to legally purchase an alcoholic beverage, and still more simply learning to be professional basketball players. Behind closed doors things are different, but he usually sticks to a combination of praise here and general criticism there when talking about his team’s performances to the media.

On Tuesday, however, his words were more direct.