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San Antonio Spurs: 2019-20 NBA season preview

By Marlow Ferguson Jr.

SAN ANTONIO, TX - NOVEMBER 25: LaMarcus Aldridge #12 of the San Antonio Spurs gets introduced before the game against the Dallas Mavericks on November 25, 2015 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2015 NBAE (Photos by Chris Covatta/NBAE via Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO, TX - NOVEMBER 25: LaMarcus Aldridge #12 of the San Antonio Spurs gets introduced before the game against the Dallas Mavericks on November 25, 2015 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2015 NBAE (Photos by Chris Covatta/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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San Antonio Spurs
(Photo by Logan Riely/NBAE via Getty Images) /

2019-20 roster:

Key Additions: Luka Samanic (draft), Keldon Johnson (draft), Quinndary Weatherspoon (draft), DeMarre Carroll (free agency), Trey Lyles (free agency)

Key Subtractions: Davis Bertans (trade), Dante Cunningham (contract), Quincy Pondexter (contract), Donatas Motiejunas, Pau Gasol (buyout)

For decades — yes, decades — the popular write-off for the San Antonio Spurs’ championship hopes centered on their lack of youth or pace, particularly in today’s quickening game.

Not so fast, literally.

The potent, two-headed dragon that runs the Spurs — LaMarcus Aldridge and DeMar DeRozan — will each enter 2019-20 on the wrong side of 30, but, looking at most of the rest of this year’s roster indicates that the Spurs are prepared for the low-scoring slugfests, as well as the classic Western Conference shootouts.

The offseason was about as Spurs-like as one could imagine; the highlight, or big “splash” of the summer comes in the form of either signing 3-and-D specialist DeMarre Carroll, or the trio of 2019 NBA draftees.

In whichever case, the Spurs are coming into the new season with a similar philosophy: relying on player development and team chemistry over the big names. And after the events of the 2019 World Cup, it’s hard to imagine Gregg Popovich wanting it to work out any other way.

During Tuesday’s annual Media Day, members of the Spurs’ brass talked about that being one of the underrated characteristics of this season’s team.

You take a look around, and many of the Spurs who contributed to that gritty, up-and-down season from a year ago will be donning the silver-and-black once again. During his six-minute interview, Aldridge echoed similar sentiments on two different occasions.

"I think it definitely gets easier for most guys here (in year two). They understand their role, they kind of know how to talk to (Popovich), and how he’s going to be, so, I think it definitely gets easier. It’s the first year where we haven’t had a lot of turnover, since I got here. So, I think that’s going to help with chemistry-wise, help with teaching, you don’t have to do as much teaching in camp. I think we’ve had such dramatic changes over the years, that Pop spends most of camp trying to teach terminology and how we play, and I think this year, that’s not an issue anymore."

So, where many of the Western Conference powers went for the modern, luxury “car” (think, the Clippers acquiring Kawhi Leonard), the San Antonio Spurs went for quiet comfort (think, the 1997 Chevy that Leonard drives to this day). As it’s been proven, you can succeed in either, and for the Spurs’ sake, they’ll have to hope it’s enough.

One could make the case that the biggest news of the summer came with the return of Tim Duncan. The days as a perennial superstar are over, but he’ll be joining Popovich’s coaching staff as an assistant, which, if nothing else, could restore the aura and ambiance the Spurs have been missing since his departure.

It’s generally common to see Pantheon-level players returning to the game through sideline roles; on the contrary, it’s rare that they replicate that same level of success. As an assistant, Duncan’s progress won’t be on view firsthand, but it’ll be indicative through the development of players like Walker IV — whom Duncan has been mentoring for well over a year — as well as the Spurs’ trio of rookies.

With that in mind, here are some storylines to look out for with the 2019-20 Spurs.