The San Antonio Spurs have won five NBA Championships over the course of 16 years. They are an organization frequently associated with excellence, unparalleled fundamental team basketball, and great success. There is an expectation and belief that the Spurs will be perennial contenders for an NBA Title. The exploits of Head Coach Gregg Popovich, Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili continue to be etched in NBA history. But with age catching up to them and Father Time continuing to move the hands of the clock, many were concerned that the dominant reign of the franchise would be drawing to a close. Instead, with their recent roster acquisitions, there may be a little more gas in the tank for the illustrious Spurs.
The San Antonio Spurs and Prolonging an Era
The era continues with the signing of LaMarcus Aldridge. The four-time All-Star agreed to a four-year, $80 million max contract with the Spurs this offseason. The former University of Texas Longhorn averaged 23.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 1 block per game. He was one of the players in free agency who was atop multiple teams’ wish lists. This includes the San Antonio Spurs, Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Mavericks, and Phoenix Suns. Aldridge is a prolific scorer who gives San Antonio an even more dangerous option on offense. He will bully his way in the paint, has a rock solid post game, has a lethal mid-range jump shot, and is capable of expanding his range to knock down a three-pointer here and there.
If this was not enough, the Spurs had also recently acquired David West in a one-year, $1.4 million veteran’s minimum deal. The former 2-time All-Star power forward may be reaching the tail end of his career, but that does not mean he can’t ball. The 34-year old has still got game. Last season West averaged 11.7 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game. He still has a good mid-range jump shot that he can rely on from 10-15 feet and even though he is not as dominant as he once was, he can still be effective in the paint. He brings more veteran presence and experience to this already accomplished roster.
The Spurs have created an incredibly scary frontcourt. Kawhi Leonard was the 2014-2015 Defensive Player of the Year and is one of the NBA’s brightest young stars. Tim Duncan will be a first ballot Hall of Famer when things are all said and done and one of the greatest power forwards to ever grace the game of basketball. And now LaMarcus Aldridge, who is one of the best power forwards the league has to offer, and David West, a seasoned veteran who’s got some fight left in him, have been brought into the mix. In addition, with both Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili still around in the backcourt and Gregg Popovich at the helm, the Spurs are not just another NBA Title contender. They are “THE” NBA Title contender. The San Antonio Spurs’ Golden Age is not through yet.
SAN ANTONIO, TX – JUNE 11: Tim Duncan #21 of the San Antonio Spurs posts up LeBron James #6 of the Miami Heat in the second half during Game Three of the 2013 NBA Finals at the AT&T Center on June 11, 2013 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
