Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images The super deep Spurs look even deeper in the preseason. That can only be a good thing going forward. The old saying goes that you should never overreact to the NBA preseason. It was true before and still is today, but that doesn’t make it any easier. So far, the San Antonio Spurs have shown promise on their way to a 2-1 preseason record in no small part thanks to the role players stepping up and taking advantage of extra playing time. Three players who will be fighting either for playing time or an increased role have especially stood out, so let’s take a look at them while trying not to overreact. Stephon Castle already looks better than advertised It was reported well before the draft that the Spurs were very high on Castle, and they got their man with the 4th overall pick this summer. He backed up some of the hype in limited Summer League action, but he has really come alive in the preseason. Not only does he look NBA-ready from a physical and mental standpoint, but his reported weaknesses have yet to show themselves. It’s a small sample size — and again, the preseason — but so far he’s shooting 42.9% from three after shooting 26.7% at UConn and 25% in Summer League. He’s also averaging 3.3 assists, 2 rebounds and a steal while using his strength and speed to get downhill towards the basket, either drawing free throws or showing off his court vision to find an open player. He has also taken over in the fourth quarters of their two wins (albeit mostly against third-string and fringe NBA players). About the only criticism so far is he’s averaging 3 turnovers per game, although six of his nine TO’s came in one game against the Thunder. He may not be quite ready to play his preferred position of point guard since his handles still need to be tightened, and there may still be a reality check in store against more serious NBA competition than the preseason brings, but if Castle is already exceeding expectations this early, that’s just another reason to be (perhaps too) optimistic going forward. Julian Champagnie is playing like a starter When it was announced that Devin Vassell would miss at least the first five games of the regular season while recovering from offseason foot surgery, there were discussions as to who should replace him in the starting lineup. While voters here at PtR overwhelmingly said Castle, Gregg Popovich has chosen familiarity and shooting in the first three preseason games, going with Champagnie. So far, he has more than delivered. Champagnie was already one of the Spurs’ best returning outside shooters form last season, and so far he has been their most steadying presence from outside in the preseason, hitting 13-27 from three in three games while averaging a team-high 16.8 points per game. While it would be unreasonable to expect him to maintain such numbers, it does beg the question: should he remain a starter beyond just as an injury replacement for Vassell? This is not to say he should replace Vassell full-time, but rather slide over to his more natural position of small forward once Vassell returns. This would of course push veteran acquisition Harrison Barnes to the bench (and no, I do not expect Pop to bench Jeremy Sochan). Barnes has been less than impressive in the preseason, but then again comes another reminder not to overreact as veterans with nothing to prove rarely turn it on for the preseason. Regardless, Barnes is a consummate pro and would probably take any role he is given in stride, so it will be interesting to see what happens. If he doesn’t turn things around to start the regular season, Champagnie has certainly made a case for himself as a starter if Pop sees a need for a change or wants to go younger. Mamu has to get playing time this season — right? Finally, we get to one of the Spurs’ more compelling players. Not only is Sandro Mamukelashvili a fan favorite, but in the rare instances he has been given a chance to play rotation minutes for the Spurs over the last two seasons, he has shined. This preseason has been no different. With Victor Wembanyama and Zach Collins each missing two games so far and Charles Bassey yet to suit up (which may change tomorrow), Mamu has gotten his share of minutes as the lone big off the bench. While his defensive deficiencies are well documented, it’s hard to ignore how much contagious energy he brings on both ends of the court and how much fun he makes the game look. His three-point shooting opens the floor for other players, and while they haven’t played together in the preseason (that I re-call), it’s hard to forget how well he and Wemby meshed in the closing stretch of last season. Even if a bad defensive read or missed rebound drives fans crazy at times, it’s hard not to want more of Mamu, and considering he is a power forward who can shoot, he can also play with both Collins and Bassey. While the Spurs may not have the most talented roster, they truly are 15 players deep, and any individual player could be called upon if someone misses without expecting too much of a drop off (except if the player who misses time is Wemby, of course). Arguably the only young Spur who is fighting for playing time and has not made a name for himself in the preseason yet is Malaki Branham, but he’s shown enough in his first two seasons that he will still get his chance. It’s hard not to overreact to the preseason, but if some unexpected names are ready take a leap this season, then that will be just as helpful towards their stated goal of making the postseason as the Chris Paul Effect will be, and in the long term, that is what is truly important.