This season, the San Antonio Spurs have been led by the combination of Kawhi Leonard and LaMarcus Aldridge. According to NBC Sports, the duo led the Spurs to a franchise-record setting for victories. This season, Gregg Popovich asked Leonard to become the focal point of the offense. Leonard has responded this season by averaging a career-high in scoring. Signing Aldridge this past summer has been a big help to the Spurs. The Big 3 of Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, and Tim Duncan is now past their prime. With that being said, they found a new combination to lead them now.
Kawhi Leonard this season has shown that he can take over the team after Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, and Tony Parker retire. When Leonard was drafted by the San Antonio Spurs, he came in known as only a defender. The reigning NBA Defensive Player of the Year has shown flashes this season. He is a superstar. Two years ago, Greg Popovich started slowly giving Leonard more touches on the offense.
Last Summer, the San Antonio Spurs made a splash in the NBA free agency by signing LaMarcus Aldridge. The former Texas Longhorns decided to come home and play for San Antonio. The Spurs haven’t really been known for going out after big name free agents. Greg Popovich usually prefers to draft players and mold them into his system. Aldridge is a player who puts the team first, and he also does whatever he is asked to do.
The Big 3 of Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, and Tony Parker are not in their prime anymore. That being said, the team was looking for the next player to the lead the San Antonio Spurs into a new era. A couple of years ago, Gregg Popovich found his guy in Kawhi Leonard. Leonard has shown flashes of being one of the best, if not the best, two-way player in the National Basketball Association. The Spurs also went after LaMarcus Aldridge in the free agency this past summer to help Leonard form one of the most dominant duos in the NBA.
This season, the San Antonio Spurs earned a franchise best record in wins. That and the history of the organization should draw in interest from free agents. One player that the Spurs could attract might be Kevin Durant. After this season, he will be looking for a new place to call home. Durant, who spent a season at the University of Texas, might be looking to come back to Texas. If the Spurs manage to bring in Durant this summer, they could very well be the best team in the NBA.
Those who were concerned about the future of the San Antonio Spurs should no longer be worried anymore. Kawhi Leonard and LaMarcus Aldridge have shown this season that they will be a force for the next several years. The Spurs also have a good supporting cast to go along with the duo.
When the San Antonio Spurs signed LaMarcus Aldridge, Gregg Popovich committed to staying with the team for the duration of the contract signed by the former Portland Trail Blazers star. That being said, free agents will most likely be interested in coming to the Spurs, knowing that Popovich will be around for the next five years. Even if San Antonio doesn’t sign any big name free agents, they will be fine due to the team’s methods of playing.
The San Antonio Spurs will not have to worry for the several years with Kawhi Leonard and LaMarcus Aldridge leading the Spurs. Before the signing of Aldridge, San Antonio usually preferred to build through the draft. The duo of Leonard and Aldridge will be attractive to other free agents in the near future.
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