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

By Matthew Hallett

OAKLAND, CA - MAY 14: Kawhi Leonard #2 and Jonathon Simmons #17 of the San Antonio Spurs high five each other during the game against the Golden State Warriors during Game One of the Western Conference Finals of the 2017 NBA Playoffs on May 14, 2017 at ORACLE Arena 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 Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - MAY 14: Kawhi Leonard #2 and Jonathon Simmons #17 of the San Antonio Spurs high five each other during the game against the Golden State Warriors during Game One of the Western Conference Finals of the 2017 NBA Playoffs on May 14, 2017 at ORACLE Arena 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 Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Photos by Mark Sobhani/NBAE via Getty Images
Photos by Mark Sobhani/NBAE via Getty Images /

5. Center depth

The center position for the San Antonio Spurs has not been a massive priority since the days of David Robinson. Why would it be when you have the Twin Towers, with Tim Duncan playing at power forward? As a result of this, the center spot has been a revolving door for a little while.

In 2015-16, the centers were Duncan and Boris Diaw. In 2016-17 the two main centers were Pau Gasol and Dewayne Dedmon. This season, the position is the weakest I have ever seen it for the Spurs. Gasol is back, but at the age of 37 should be starting to slow down..

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His backup this year is the largely unproven Joffrey Lauvergne. The French native has not really made a name for himself on any of the three teams he has played on in his three years in the league. The 20 games he played for the Chicago Bulls last season equated to his worst production since his rookie year, with only 4.5 points and 3.4 rebounds per game.

In contrast, Dedmon put up 5.1 points and 6.5 rebounds per game. In addition to this, Dedmon bought an energy to the defense that Lauvergne will struggle to replicate. This is a concern if either player gets injured, like Gasol did last year.

It is this thinness at the center position that could contribute to the Spurs not being able to contend in 2017-18.

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