San Antonio Spurs: 5 reasons to be excited for the 2019-20 NBA season

LaMarcus Aldridge and DeMar DeRozan

The older side of this team is carried by NBA veterans LaMarcus Aldridge and DeMar DeRozan, the two players who should lead the San Antonio Spurs in minutes and points, the two are looking to make it to another All-Star Game.

Both of these players are a hair past their prime, but it does not take away from their abilities and ingenuity in running the offense. A system that kept them in the top six of offensive rating in the league.

The skill of DeRozan and Aldridge on offense leaves more to be desired on the other end of the floor, where the team ranked 20th in defensive rating. But DeRozan and Aldridge are not entirely to blame for team shortcomings.

The two players are joined by Rudy Gay and Patty Mills, two other long-time Spurs and they form a solid veteran leadership team.

Not saying all veterans have to be leaders, but it certainly will not hurt to have the voices of reason that they all provide. Everyone at this point is bought into the system and are hungry to win. Aldridge and DeRozan both want a ring, and their window is closing, even more, every year.

It would take a miracle run for this team to get there, but the veterans are the engine that could make it happen.

Everything great about this team this year will start with DeRozan and Aldridge, the team’s bonafide stars. They both should lead the team in scoring, and be the key focal point for other team’s schemes.

Aldridge has a game that should age like fine wine and DeRozan is still showing his quick moves and killer instinct. Last year’s playoff loss should ignite something in both of these guys who, if healthy, should be able to look as good as they have in years prior.