And here’s why! Well, besides not being as hungry as they were before they got their first ring in 40 years last season, it simply won’t be as easy this next season due to the fact one of the best teams in the league over the last 10 seasons got better and is returning healthy.
The San Antonio Spurs got their hands on two of the most consistent big men in the game in the offseason (LaMarcus Aldridge and David West), bringing a combined 35.1 points and 17.0 rebounds per game to the team as a duo. Yes, the L-Train and D-West will be quite a tandem for the Spurs, especially when combined with the All-NBA power forward Tim Duncan, feisty point guard Tony Parker, multi-talented small forward Kawhi Leonard, and spectacular shooting guard Danny Green.
Additionally, add in the other veteran’s experience (Boris Diaw and Manu Ginobili) a great mix of young talent, and a coach (Coach Pop, see http://hoopsbusiness.com/?p=48) who is one of the best in the game when it comes to game management. This 2016 Spurs team and their talent place the possibility of a Golden State Warriors repeat in 2016 in serious jeopardy.
Also, we can’t ignore the challenge from the East and the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Cavs are getting healthy during the off season, now have a year under their belt to build chemistry, have championship experience, and added two seasoned veterans in Richard Jefferson and Mo Williams. And, you obviously can’t ignore the King, LeBron James. All these factors, plus a load of productive big men, should boost the Cav’s ability to repeat in the East and stop the Warriors.
Put these two things together and the likelihood of a young team like Golden State repeating is in doubt, although their youthfulness and their talent with keep them in the conversation.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR – LAWRENCE NORMAN, VETERANS ISSUES ANALYSIS
Lawrence, call sign Sarge, is a sports fanatic with Texas ties and also a retired Army Senior NCO who loves to talk and write “smack” about basketball. Works for the VA in the Education Division in St. Louis. BA degree in progress from Columbia College.
