Stephon Castle believes the Spurs are not getting the same luxury to be physical as OKC originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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Physicality has been a significant part of the Western Conference Finals between the San Antonio Spurs and the Oklahoma City Thunder. People have brought up Isaiah Hartenstein, Lu Dort, Alex Caruso, and Cason Wallace, who all play physical defense.
While that is true, the Spurs have also played some physical defense in this series. Stephon Castle is the most prominent one because he has been quite physical in his defense against Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Stephon Castle thinks the Thunder are getting away with physicality
It is an interesting dynamic between the Spurs and the Thunder. They are being given the leeway to be more physical against each other, but it seems it is getting into the players’ heads.
Both teams have gotten away with physicality, as seen with Hartenstein’s Game 2 performance and how Castle keeps bumping into SGA in almost every possession. However, it seems the Spurs believe they are not getting enough calls in their favor.
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Thunder fans will hate what Castle is saying because he is the number one guy when it comes to physical defense on the Spurs’ side. However, Castle does believe the Thunder gets away with it at times, not always.
“The way they guard, how physical they are, we don’t get that same luxury to be able to play as physical on the other end at times, but offensively, I think we do great at screening and playing through it,” Castle said in his press conference after Game 5.
That might ruffle some feathers because of the discourse surrounding officiating. However, it will still mean the Spurs will be ready to perform in Game 6 as their backs are against the wall now.
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