The rare member of the national media who realizes Vassell, not Johnson, is the crown jewel of the Spurs youth non Wembanyama division.

Vassell's biggest issue is the more underplayed one of primary options here for the past decade, which is an inability to get to the line (save DeRozan; lack of 3 for most of them sucked up the majority of the oxygen).

Given his lack of explosiveness, strength and tight handle, that's likely never changing, but it didn't prevent Middleton from attaining low-end star status on a champion and perennial contender.