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Spurs: A Winning Culture


        Just when you think the Spurs' dynasty has come to an end, they keep kicking. They also flash the money as has been shown with this off-season's two biggest signings for the Spurs, Defensive Player of the Year Kawhi Leonard (5yr/ $94.3M) and former Trail Blazer star LaMarcus Aldridge (4yr/ $84M). The Spurs don't usually break the bank like this, especially not for a player that they themselves didn't develop, which is why it's odd to see them over the luxury tax threshold. What has helped soften the blow is how the three veterans Tim Duncan (2yr/ $10.85M), Tony Parker (3yr/ $43M), and Manu Ginobili (2yr/ $5.83M) have for the most part taken cuts with the exception of Parker, which isn't really a problem considering how underpaid Tony has been throughout his career with San Antonio. Bringing back their starting shooting guard Danny Green (4yr/ $40M) is also a great sign. Besides Tiago Splitter, who the Spurs traded to the Hawks in exchange for a future second round pick and Georgios Printezis, they have managed to not only keep their team together but to also add a huge piece in the process. But will all this spending be worth it come playoff time?


        Coming off of what is undoubtedly the best season of his career, Kawhi Leonard has become a star player in the NBA through his outstanding defense as well as his 16.5 points, 7.2 rebounds per game stat line. As if he didn't already deserve big bucks for his showing in the NBA Finals last year, this past season only ensured that the future of the Spurs is as bright as always. Kawhi alone would be enough to keep San Antonio hopeful. Now their hopes are set on the NBA Finals next season. The reason as to why is found in the big time signing of star big man LeMarcus Aldridge. This 9-year veteran just had his best season with Portland, putting up 23.4 points (Career-high) and 10.2 rebounds while also having his best year from the charity stripe (84.5%) and the three point line (35%). Even though his last season might end up being the pinnacle of his career statistically, coming to a group play-focused team will help his chances of holding up the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy come June even if it does mean that he'll have to sacrifice his stats in order to accomplish such a goal.

        Bringing back Tim and Manu will definitely help there cause. Tim is still posting up impressive numbers at 39 which shouldn't be a surprise at this point. While last season's 13.9 points per game isn't comparable to his best years, he still remains as a threat on the boards (9.1 rebounds per game) as well as on defense (2.0 blocks per game). There is no doubt that Duncan will have a positive impact on this San Antonio team next season as he enters his 19th season in the league. Expectations from Ginobili remain the same. With Danny Green still on the Spurs squad, the pressure of scoring at the shooting guard position will not rest solely on him. He'll do a little bit of everything for them and as long as he stays healthy, Manu will have a solid year. Parker, while also slowing down, can still have an impact on this team with his unique way of  scoring by way of slashing as well as his ability to come up big when needed in the clutch. The 14.4 points per game he put up last season while shooting at 48.6% shows that he still has what it takes to push this team deep into the playoffs.


        With the Big 3 slowing down there is hope that they can add another ring to their already expansive collection brought to San Antonio by these same three amazing players. With Kawhi surpassing expectations and LaMarcus Aldridge now in black and gray, this team will be a threat for the other top teams in the Western Conference and may even be more dangerous than ever. One can only hope that age doesn't show it's face this season for the Spurs.
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