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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 Noah Graham /NBAE via Getty Images
Photos by Noah Graham /NBAE via Getty Images /

1. Drastic improvement out West

In a summer where the San Antonio Spurs had a solid but reasonably quiet free agency period, the rest of the Western Conference did not.

The Golden State Warriors re-signed Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant and Andre Iguodala among others, keeping them at the top of the league. It is going to take something special to knock this team of the pedestal.

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The Oklahoma City Thunder re-tooled by adding Paul George, Carmelo Anthony and Patrick Patterson. They re-signed Andre Roberson and had some other smaller signings as well. Combine these with Russell Westbrook and they may be that something special that could knock off the Warriors.

In the Spurs’ own division, the Houston Rockets added one of the most skilled point guards in the league, teaming Chris Paul up with James Harden. This could either be a really good combination or it could fizzle terribly.

The Utah Jazz may have lost some key players, but their replacements look up to the task. The Denver Nuggets were not a playoff team last season, but the addition of Paul Millsap and others will change that.

The other non-playoff team from last season that will change its fortunes this year is the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Timberwolves bring back Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins, added Jeff Teague to replace Ricky Rubio and traded for Jimmy Butler as well.

Next: 30 reasons to be excited for the 2017-18 NBA season

With all the drastic improvement out West, the Spurs may struggle to keep up in a likely conference bloodbath, especially as so many key contributors get a year older and a step slower.

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