Andrew Kasmarek, Mitch Pratt and Charlie Tritschler are getting you ready for the NBA season. The previews feature all sorts of information to get you ready for the start of the season. Yes, we will be a little late, but they will all be done by November 3rd
Yes this is later than I wanted it to be. Frankly, I wanted this done around 11 am on Saturday but I had the worst beer hangover of my life and still trying to figure out why I could barely watch television for a couple hours today. Here are San Antonio Spurs,one of the best saved for last.
What I Know
Same ol' squad - This team really has not changed in the last seven to 10 years. It is great to watch this team get old together and add pieces along the way. I have no idea how long this will continue with them but I said it last year, this is more of Tony Parker's team than Tim Duncan's and it has been that way for the last couple of years.
They will be in mix in the top four, no matter what happens in the first couple months - Yes, they are 2-0 to begin the year, but San Antonio tends to struggle at different points of the season because they are old leading them to getting hurt. People will start throwing shade on the Spurs saying they are done and this is finally the year. Then they rail off 10 to 15 straight wins, and everyone is like 'Whoops, our bad!'
Danny Green's development - I am extremely interested in this going forward as he averaged about 10 points a game last year then had the massive NBA Finals for five of seven games. Green is a good player and a perfect fit for San Antonio. We shall see if the Finals run was just a random thing or Green starts averaging more points per game, per 36.
Big Question
What's left with Manu Ginobli - One of the things about the Finals was how it looked at times like Manu Ginobli's game had fallen off a cliff. I have no idea what we will get from Manu this season. I assume he will get a lot more days off to avoid him completely running out of gas in the postseason. Because let's not forget he did not just look bad in the NBA Finals, he looked bad throughout the playoffs. For whatever it is worth, Ginobli is off to a strong start to begin the season.
X-Factor
Kawhi Leonard - If there is one reason to watch San Antonio this year, it is for Kawhi. He moved his average up by four points last year as well as averaging seven and a half rebounds a game. Leonard is a strong player who possibly could lead this team during different stretches of the season as they try to rest players leading up to the postseason. If there would be one criticism with Leonard, it would be his lack of assists which is something he can improve on this year. Let's also not forget Leonard is one of the best on-ball defenders in the league. He can do that with the best of em.
Key Additions
Marco Belinelli - A sneaky Spurs signing we all accustom to these days. Belineli has bounced around throughout his career but people do not know he is only 27 years old. He will give some good minutes off the bench for San Antonio this year.
Key Subtractions
Gary Neal, DeJuan Blair - I have no idea who fills in for Neal this year. Patrick Mills, I guess? But I could see San Antonio making a trade to get a backup combo guard as they just have Mills and Belinelli there. I would definitely want someone more than Mills.
Spurs Draft
Livio Jean-Charles, Deshaun Thomas - Both players will be overseas this year. Jean-Charles is a 6'9 player from France and will probably stay over there for a couple years. Thomas interesting enough is heading to France to get more time. I like the move from the Ohio State product. I think he can be a good player in the future.
Prediction
They will finish fourth in the Western Conference. I would not be surprised if they are the top team again in the West or the fourth. San Antonio will be the team the young guns of the Western Conference least want to see in the first two rounds of the NBA Playoffs.
Charlie.
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