San Antonio Spurs: 5 keys to contending in 2017-18

OAKLAND, CA - MAY 14: Andre Iguodala #9 of the Golden State Warriors defends against Kawhi Leonard #2 of the San Antonio Spurs during Game One of the NBA Western Conference Finals at ORACLE Arena on May 14, 2017 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

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Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images /

With the 2017-18 season closing in, it is time to take a look forward into what it will take for the San Antonio Spurs to be contenders.

The San Antonio Spurs will start the 2017-18 season as contenders again. In the last four seasons, they have had more than 60 wins three times. They are also not too far removed from 2013-14, when they last won the NBA Finals.

In typical San Antonio fashion, they had a solid summer. It was not as successful as the ones where they lured LaMarcus Aldridge or Pau Gasol, but it was still solid.

They lost some key bench pieces in Jonathon Simmons, David Lee and Dewayne Dedmon. However, San Antonio did pick up veterans Joffrey Lauvergne and Rudy Gay. They also signed rookies Brandon Paul and Derrick White.

How these new bench players jell will define just how far the San Antonio Spurs will go in the postseason. There were a number of games last season where the starters were outplayed. The bench, led by super sub Patty Mills, bought them back every time.

Last season the Spurs made it to the Western Conference Finals before a poorly placed foot by Zaza Pachulia robbed the NBA world of the series we deserved. Kahwi Leonard would not play again in the series and the Golden State Warriors would sweep their way to the Finals.

Here are five keys to the San Antonio Spurs being contenders again in the 2017-18 season.

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