2015-16 NBA Season Preview: San Antonio Spurs

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San Antonio Spurs

2014-15

Offseason Roundup

• Re-signed Tim Duncan (2/$10.9M)
• Re-signed Kawhi Leonard (5/$94.3M)
• Re-signed Manu Ginobili (2/$5.8M)
• Re-signed Danny Green (4/$40M)
• Re-signed Matt Bonner (1/$1.5M)

Projected Starting 5

• PG Tony Parker
• SG Danny Green
• SF Kawhi Leonard
• PF LaMarcus Aldridge
• C Tim Duncan

MVP: Kawhi Leonard

At only 24 years old, Leonard has compiled an impressive resume stemming from his evolving on-court repertoire.

"The Claw" has improved steadily throughout his four years in the big leagues, as evidenced by his gains across most major statistical categories.

Leonard isn't much of a vocal leader - quite the opposite, he's extremely soft-spoken on and off the hardwood. His on-court productivity, however, has spoken volumes - particularly since his breakout performance in the 2014 NBA championship series that saw the dynamic forward take home Finals MVP honors.

The good news for Spurs fans - and the bad news for the 29 other teams - is that Leonard has yet to truly hit his stride. He's entering his fifth pro campaign and still hasn't peaked physically or in his skill development.

After leading the Spurs in scoring last season, he'll get some relief on offense in the upcoming campaign thanks to incoming four-time All-Star Aldridge. The 6-foot-7 California native is expected to maintain a key role in his team's schemes, as he occupies a soft spot in coach Gregg Popovich's basketball-shaped heart.

"He wants to be a good player, I mean a great player," Popovich said of Leonard in 2012. "He comes early, he stays late, and he's coachable, he's just like a sponge. When you consider he's only had (two years) of college and no training camp yet, you can see that he's going to be something else."

With the confidence of the franchise instilled in the reigning Defensive Player of the Year and an upgraded roster surrounding him, Leonard's performance - and his own MVP aspirations - will be inextricably linked to the Spurs' 2016 title chances.

Breakout Player: Ray McCallum

McCallum proved serviceable for the Sacramento Kings over the past two seasons, averaging 6.9 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 2.7 assists in 20.6 minutes.

Starting only 30 games for the Kings last year, McCallum shared backup duties with Andre Miller and Ramon Sessions. Ironically, he had his best offensive outing of the season against his future team, scoring 20 points versus the Spurs in February.

With longtime San Antonio floor general Parker at the tail end of his prime and Popovich's penchant for resting his starters throughout the regular season, McCallum will likely share the bulk of minutes at the one-spot with Patty Mills.

If the 24-year-old Wisconsin native keeps up what he's been doing - with 2014-15 per-36 averages of 12.6 points, 4.5 boards, 4.8 dimes, and 1.1 steals - it won't be long before he becomes a Popovich favorite.

Season Expectations

For the past several years, basketball pundits have disregarded the Spurs as championship favorites in their annual preseason predictions.

This is no longer the case, as Popovich and general manager R.C. Buford succeeded in retaining their core talent while adding valuable pieces to shore up the roster over the offseason.

Rather than entering this season as a forgotten underdog, many have penciled in "SAS" to come out of the west - although the Golden State Warriors may beg to differ.