San Antonio Spurs: Will Tim Duncan & Co. Contend For Another Title?

The feeling of being minutes away from an NBA championship has resonated through  the San Antonio Spurs locker room. The grasp at championship hope was illustrated on the looks on the faces Tim Duncan and Tony Parker at the end of Game 6 of the NBA Finals. A team bouncing back from an obvious blow to their confidence would usually set the average group of players back, but in Game 7, the Spurs fought just as hard, nearly upsetting the Miami Heat.

With Tim Duncan nearing the age of 40, a hobbled Manu Ginobili, and Tony Parker dealing with some nagging injuries, it’s easy to assume that this was the last run for Gregg Popovich’s squad. Despite each question mark on their roster, it is a proven fact that the Spurs have always found a way to make small adjustments and add to their personnel to stay afloat. Unlike most aging teams, we saw some of San Antonio’s younger parts flourish on the big stage.

Swingman Danny Green proved to be reliable throughout the Finals, fitting into the mold of the NBA’s combination of defense and shooting perimeter players. Green broke Ray Allen‘s NBA Finals records by making 27 3-point field goals. In the latter portion of the series,  he did slow down, but this may prove to be a learning experience playing at that capacity. Yet again, they’ve found another gem to continue their winning ways. The Spurs also have Green locked in at a remarkable bargain for three years and $12 million.

You can’t mention pieces of San Antonio’s young core without discussing the surprisingly talented Kawhi Leonard. Many are put off by his quiet demeanor, but he has immense abilities on both ends of the floor. Leonard held his own against the league’s MVP, LeBron James, and showed signs of improvement in several areas that many people questioned. With work to his jumpers and free-throw shooting, it could pay off mightily for San Antonio. Much of the future of San Antonio hinges on his continuous bolster to his skill level.

The Spurs also added more perimeter help, as they lost combo guard Gary Neal to the Milwaukee Bucks. Marco Bellinelli signed for two years at $5.6 million and will bring versatility to the shooting guard and small forward positions. The two biggest skills that Bellinelli brings to the Spurs are his play-making and defense in the half court.  Last season for the Chicago Bulls, he carried much of their offensive load leading into the playoffs. At 27 years of age, Bellinelli also adds some youth to their bench.

Year in and year out, the Spurs continue to sit atop the top-teams in the Western Conference. With everyone returning and a few more players added, they should see the same success this upcoming season. This may mark the end of a historic era with Tim Duncan’s retirement looming in the distance. The franchise looks to send out their star in style and add to their trophy case.

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