Golden State Warriors guard Pat Spencer believes that basketball intelligence remains undervalued by some organizations struggling at the bottom of the NBA standings.
“If you’re a guy who can connect the dots, but also do some other things, knock the 3-ball down, there’s always going to be a place for you in the league,” he said, as relayed by Danny Emerman on X. “Unfortunately, there’s a lot of organizations that are stuck in the bottom that continue to value length and athleticism over IQ. And they tend to stay in the lottery every year.”
Spencer’s remarks highlight an ongoing debate about player evaluation in the NBA — whether physical traits or decision-making skills matter more in building winning rosters.
The 29-year-old guard has carved out a role in Golden State’s system, known for its emphasis on movement, spacing, and high-IQ play. After signing a two-way deal with the Warriors in September, Spencer will begin his third straight season in the Bay Area.
Last year, he appeared in 39 games for the Warriors, averaging 2.5 points, 1.2 rebounds, and 1.2 assists in limited minutes while shooting 40.6 percent from the field. He also impressed with the Santa Cruz Warriors in the G League, averaging 22.0 points and 5.7 assists across three games before being recalled.
Spencer’s path to the NBA remains one of the more unconventional in recent memory. A former lacrosse star at Loyola Maryland and later a basketball standout at Northwestern, he transitioned to professional basketball after college — relying on work ethic and adaptability rather than elite athleticism.
