NBA: Ranking the teams in the Southwest Division for 2017-18

2. San Antonio Spurs

Gregg Popovich and the Spurs have been a model of consistency for the past 27 years. Having made the playoffs 26 of those 27 seasons, including 20 straight, there’s no reason that shouldn’t continue next year.

As long as Popovich and Leonard are around, this team will always have a chance. Leonard may be the best two-way player in the NBA and continues to improve his game each and every season. There’s no saying what he will unveil in 2017-18.

Aldridge had a down season, but if he can recover, he will provide a nice boost to the team. He’s clearly their second scorer and the Spurs need him to step into the role they originally signed him for.

Tony Parker will spend the beginning of the season rehabbing, so it will be up to Dejounte Murray. The second-year point guard out of the University of Washington flashed some big-time potential last season. If he’s able to string it together for a longer period of time, watch out NBA.

Patty Mills, Manu Ginobili and Pau Gasol are also back for another year. Mills is just hitting his stride as a role player and figures to pick up where he left off last season. Gasol had somewhat of a down year and there’s no saying if he will ever return to his previous form.

Rudy Gay is the big acquisition for San Antonio this year. There have been plenty of players in the past that have thrived in Popovich’s system and Gay might be the next. He’s proven earlier in his career he can put the ball in the hoop, which is obviously a necessity in today’s game.

How well this supporting cast can come together will go a long way in determining how far the Spurs actually make it. If they’re able to outperform expectations, watch out for the Spurs once again.