2014-2015 in Review
As the defending NBA Champions in 2014-2015, the San Antonio Spurs quietly did their thing in the Western Conference. While they were overshadowed by the Golden State Warriors, Memphis Grizzlies, and Houston Rockets for the majority of the season, Gregg Popovich made his team relevant with a push for the division title as the regular season came to a close.
The Southwest Division was a dog fight throughout the 2014-2015 season and came down to the final game, when the Spurs were upset by the New Orleans Pelicans, ultimately surrendering the division to the Rockets. With that, they fell to 55-27, finished third in the Southwest Division, and entered the postseason as the sixth seed in the West. An 18th straight trip to the playoffs was cut short by the Los Angeles Clippers, who knocked the Spurs out of the first round in seven games.
New Additions
LaMarcus Aldridge
The hottest free agent commodity this summer found a new home with the Spurs in his home state. It was no surprise that the 30 year-old Dallas native left the Portland Trail Blazers and the Spurs were atop the list of potential destinations. Aldridge has been one of the premier power forwards in the NBA in recent years, ranking in the top-10 in points and rebounds in 2014-2015.
In a contract year, the ninth-year forward set a career-high in scoring and was selected to his fourth-consecutive All-Star game. Aldridge signed a four-year deal worth $80 million and is likely the successor to Tim Duncan in San Antonio.
David West
Another valued power forward around the league, West accepted the veteran's minimum to sign with the Spurs and have a chance at winning his first NBA Finals. A twelve-year veteran, West spent the past four seasons with the Indiana Pacers. He started 66 games last season and averaged 11.7 points and 6.8 rebounds.
Back in the 2007 and 2008 seasons, West was a 20-point scorer with the Pelicans. The 35 year-old has never been to the NBA Finals, but now has a great chance to do just that with the Spurs. For the first time in ten seasons, West will come off the bench and provide a great mismatch as Aldridge's backup.
Key Losses
Tiago Splitter
Traded to the Atlanta Hawks to free up space in the salary cap, Splitter was the key maneuver that allowed the Spurs to sign Aldridge. After freeing up approximately $8.5 million in cap space, the Spurs were not only able to sign Aldridge, but also re-signed instrumental pieces in their 2014 championship run in Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green. In what was the best offseason of any team, Splitter was a slight casualty who was quickly replaced in San Antonio.
Biggest Strength
Experience
Tim Duncan won his first NBA Championship 16 years ago as a 22 year-old NBA sophomore. He has since filled out his hand with rings, four of which were shared with Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili. With nicknames like "Old Man Riverwalk" and "Groundhog Day", Duncan's Finals rings are not a fair representation of his experience in the league. Unlike a tree, The Big Fundamental has more than three times the amount of seasons played as he does rings.
Believe it or not, the Spurs got older this offseason. The additions of Aldridge and West pushed the average age of the team over thirty, making the Spurs the second oldest team in the NBA. But even the young players on the team have experience at the highest level, such as 2014 NBA Finals MVP, Kawhi Leonard. Gregg Popovich is one of the best coaches in NBA history and, entering his 19th year in the league, has a bevy of seasoned veterans to work with.
Biggest Weakness
Schedule
On paper, the Spurs appear poised to make another run at an NBA Title. An improved roster for a team that nearly won the best division in basketball a season ago is a scary thought for the rest of the league. But that fact alone will be a challenge for the Spurs, who will face the Rockets, Grizzlies, Pelicans, and Dallas Mavericks each four times over the course of the season.
Another 36 games will be against the rest of the Western Conference, which includes the defending champion Warriors. Most of the teams in the West improved their rosters this offseason, which will make the Spurs' quest for a sixth championship a rocky road to travel.
Bottom Line
The Spurs have 18 consecutive playoff appearances to their name. Year-in and year-out Popovich, Duncan, Parker, and Ginobili remain constant. The signing of Aldridge is a monstrous addition and was likely the determining factor that kept Duncan (39) and Ginobili (38) out of retirement.
The Spurs were one win away from a sixth straight Southwest Division Title in 2014-2015, which was the ultimate difference between the second seed and the sixth seed in the Western Conference Playoffs. Over the past 20 years, the Spurs have been the cream of the crop in the NBA and have dominated their division. The West will be strong once again in the 2015-2016 season, but the Spurs are best suited for the challenge.
Fantasy Slant
Most overrated: Danny Green
Hard to say anyone on this roster is overrated, but Green is slightly over-hyped. Mainly a result of the weapons the Spurs have all over the court, Green is the least productive player in the starting lineup. The seventh-year veteran has shined on the biggest of postseason stages, but his performance in the regular season is inconsistent.
Green averaged 11.7 points-per-game in 2014-2015, largely a result of being held to single digits on numerous occasions. The 28 year-old has some deadly three-point shooting but, on nights when he goes cold, it can get ugly. Green was held scoreless in several games last season.
Most underrated: David West
At 35 years-old, West remains one of the more consistent forwards in the NBA. Year after year, West has put up quality numbers, from scoring and rebounding to assists. Last season, he ranked ninth among forwards in assist-per-game. In an offense that moves the ball better than anyone in the league, West will thrive with the Spurs, even as he transitions to a full-time role off the bench. Although he is underrated, it would be wise to wait and see how West's production changes in his new role. Minutes will be the determining factor in his success as a valuable fantasy power forward.
Biggest surprise: Kawhi Leonard
From NBA Finals MVP to regular season MVP? It is, without doubt, in the cards for Leonard. The 24 year-old shot out of a cannon in the Spurs' 2014 championship run, taking home some must-deserved hardware for himself. Leonard added to his collection last season and was named 2015 NBA Defensive Player of the Year. But, in his fourth season in the league, Leonard drastically improved his scoring, averaging a career-high 16.5 points-per-game.
He also set career-highs in rebounds (7.2rpg), assists (2.5apg), and steals (2.3spg) and quickly developed into one of the more valuable pieces for the Spurs. Leonard's fantasy numbers were eye-popping last year and, if he continues his recent trend, the quiet kid out of San Diego State could make a run at the 2016 MVP.