The San Antonio Spurs have been a model organization in the NBA for the last 20 years. Away from controversy and childish disputes, the team ran by R.C. Buford and Gregg Popovich has been a perennial title contender in the Western Conference. They’ve also had some of the best players the league has seen over that span in Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili, just to name a few.
The upcoming 2016-17 season, however, is going to be a transition period for the Spurs. Tim Duncan’s retirement will be a huge loss for the Spurs due to his veteran leadership and locker-room presence. Manu Ginobili is only a shell of his former self. We could say the same about Tony Parker who, at this point, might work better as a backup. The presence of the Golden State Warriors and last year’s loss against the Oklahoma City Thunder might mean they’re finally past their prime.
Well, not exavtly. If the last 20 years have taught us anything, is that one simply does not count the Spurs out. Under any situation. They’re just too talented to be considered a middle-of-the-pack team even in a stacked Western Conference. Sure, the Warriors are in an upper echelon especially after adding Kevin Durant to the mix. But the others? it’s not like one might think.
The Thunder won’t have Durant and Serge Ibaka, so it basically means two of their three best players from last year are not there anymore. Los Angeles Clippers have the athleticism but lack the experience to compete with San Antonio. The Houston Rockets aren’t good enough on the defensive end to stop Kawhi Leonard and LaMarcus Aldridge. And the remaining teams are not on the Spurs’ level to pose a threat for them.
It’s not like San Antonio struggled last year either. They lost in the West Semifinals against the Thunder, but they compiled a 67-15 record during the regular season. That mark was a franchise-best, something pretty impressive considering they’ve won 60+ games in six different seasons.
As if that wasn’t enough, the Spurs have one of the best young players in the NBA in Kawhi Leonard. In a superstar driven league, Leonard certainly fits the bill to become the franchise’s face as soon as this upcoming season. And LaMarcus Aldridge would be an alpha dog on most teams, but here he’s the second option. That alone speak volumes about the team’s offense.
They might not be the best team in the league as they were a few years ago, but the Spurs are always a force to be reckoned with. The rest of the NBA doubts them year after year, and they always find the way to get on top. Why should it be different this year?