Rob Gray-Imagn Images The young forward is ready to put the Point Sochan experiment in the past and try to show he can shine in a more traditional role. The Spurs threw orthodoxy to the side last year and went into the season with no traditional point guard in their starting lineup. The task of filling the role of initiator and primary playmaker fell on the shoulders of Jeremy Sochan, a young power forward who had shown some vision and a solid floor game as a rookie. The attempted transformation failed. Sochan struggled to create good looks for his teammates and himself and never looked comfortable in his new position. Eventually, Gregg Popovich pulled the plug on the experiment and Sochan returned to a more familiar role. Recently Sochan was asked about that short period in his career and seemed ambivalent about it: It was an experience. And, you know, there’s a lot to learn from it, pros and cons, and at the end of the day is an experience that grew me. When asked to specify what he actually learned from it, Sochan was honest about not being comfortable with it at the moment but understanding the value of the experience: Just, you know, grinding, finding the light sometimes when it was dark. And I think on the court just seeing everything, understanding how to play, when to speed up, when to slow down. There’s a bunch of stuff I can learn from it. Anyone who watched Sochan struggle on the court during those first couple of months of the 2023/24 season and remembers the scrutiny he endured will understand why he seems to consider it a dark time. The Spurs were barely functional at the time, not only because Sochan was the point guard but because Victor Wembanyama was adjusting to the league while playing power forward instead of center. It speaks volumes about Sochan’s character that he didn’t let that stretch get him down and he sees the positives. But he does seem ready to put the experiment past him: Playing my normal position is going to be great. I’m not going to be thinking as much. It’s going to be more natural. So yeah, I’m excited. Training camp is going to be fun. The Point Sochan experiment was controversial for analysts and fans alike and it seems that Sochan himself wasn’t the biggest fan of it. Ultimately, everyone, including Pop, came to the same conclusion that it just wasn’t a good long-term fit. What still remains to be seen is whether it had a positive impact on Sochan’s development or not. There were moments later in the season when Sochan made great reads and passes, which is encouraging, but he didn’t seem transformed by the experience. There’s also the opportunity cost of not having him play as many minutes in what will be his role going forward to consider. Fortunately, the franchise seems to have moved on from the uber-experimental framework of last season. Chris Paul is in tow to lead the starting unit and Tre Jones is there to back him up, so neither Sochan nor Malaki Branham should have to initiate for long stretches. Wemby is entrenched at center and the front office got him some shooters to help with the spacing. The Spurs will have a more traditional and talented roster this year. Now, it’s on Sochan to prove he’s part of the future. The forward was a standout defender and did better in general on offense in a smaller role, but his lack of a reliable shot allowed opponents to pack the paint against Wembanyama. He mentioned that he’s changed his form and if he can now be a threat from outside, he’ll become the Swiss army knife forward the Spurs need him to be, an elite complementary player who can do whatever the team needs to win. Spurs fans should be as excited as Sochan seems to be for the stability he should have this year. If he has the breakout season his talent suggests he could have, another piece of the puzzle will be in place as San Antonio looks to return to contender status.