New look, same goal: Spurs' revamped roster boasts sneaky depth
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For years now, many NBA pundits and fans have counted the San Antonio Spurs out of title contention, citing the advanced age of the team's core players as its biggest hurdle.
Despite six consecutive playoff appearances in the period between the club's 2007 and 2014 championships, opinions about the Spurs often lacked faith in the team's yearly staying power.
And yet, the Spurs just keep chugging along. Their 55-win campaign last year furthered their streak of winning 50 or more games each season, save for the lockout-shortened 1999 campaign, since the beginning of the Tim Duncan era.
Now, 16 months removed from hoisting the Larry O'Brien trophy for a fifth time, the Spurs enter 2015-16 having undergone a massive facelift following an impressive series of offseason transactions.
What may prove to be the Spurs' secret weapon this upcoming season, however, might not be their newest marquee acquisition. It's all of their other pieces surrounding the core - an incredible amount of depth - that could potentially form one of the most potent benches in the league.
The Starters
The addition of LaMarcus Aldridge alone would have probably been sufficient enough to sway many 2016 title predictions in the Spurs' way. However, general manager R.C. Buford didn't stop there, and shrewdly continued to add auxiliary pieces around the team's core.
Related: 2015-16 NBA Season Preview: San Antonio Spurs
Here's a breakdown of the Spurs' likely starting five (note: figures include 2015-16 season):
| Player | # of yrs w/ SAS |
|---|---|
| Tony Parker | 15 |
| Danny Green | 6 |
| Kawhi Leonard | 5 |
| LaMarcus Aldridge | 0 |
| Tim Duncan | 19 |
On a nightly basis, head coach Gregg Popovich will have at his disposal three starters with multiple All-Star appearances to their names - Aldridge has four, Parker six, and Duncan owns 15. Leonard, already the reigning NBA Defensive Player of the Year and a former NBA Finals MVP, is projecting to become a first-time All-Star this season should his incremental growth continue: His 16.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.3 steals, and player efficiency rating of 22 in 2014-15 were all career highs.
Related: Predicting 1st-time All-Stars for 2015-16
Aldridge should provide ample relief for the aging Duncan, as the 2015 All-NBA second team member has a skill set which both complements and supplements his Springfield-bound mate in the frontcourt.
The cumulative PER of this starting five - 19.9 in 2014-15 - bodes well for the continued success of the ever-productive, equal-opportunity schemes drawn up by Popovich.
But while the starting lineup in San Antonio houses the big-ticket names, perhaps the Spurs' most valuable - and sneakiest - weapon may be their deep bench.
The Reserves
Although championship expectations likely remain constant within the San Antonio organization, what's not as consistent this time is the usual year-to-year continuity of the team's roster - the Spurs have a total of six newcomers to their squad this year.
Their revamped bench roster boasts considerable depth and projects to be one which shouldn't produce much drop-off whenever the starters take respite:
| Player | # of yrs w/ SAS | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Patty Mills | 5 | 2nd | 15.8 PPG/3.4 RPG/3.9 APG (PER 36) in 14-15 |
| Manu Ginobili | 14 | 2nd | 4-time NBA champ & 6th Man of the Year (2008) |
| Rasual Butler | 0 | 2nd | 36.3 3P% (career) |
| David West | 0 | 2nd | All-time leading scorer in NOLA franchise history (8690 points) |
| Boris Diaw | 5 | 2nd | 12.8 PPG/6.3 RPG/4.2 APG (PER 36) in 14-15 |
| Ray McCallum | 0 | 3rd | 12.6 PPG/4.5 RPG/ 4.7 APG (PER 36) in 14-15 |
| Jimmer Fredette | 0 | 3rd | 38.1 3P% (career) |
| Kyle Anderson | 1 | 3rd | 7.4 PPG/7.2 RPG/1.5 SPG (PER 36) in 14-15 |
| Matt Bonner | 10 | 3rd | 41.4 3P% (career) |
| Boban Marjanovic | 0 | 3rd | 3-time Serbian League MVP & All-Euroleague First Team (2015) |
Popovich's primary second unit will likely be comprised of Mills, Ginobili, Butler, West, and Diaw (depending on match-ups), and the group boasts plenty of playoff and championship experience.
Mills and Ginobili are adept at driving and dishing, and both players, in addition to Butler, are excellent long-range shooters - an invaluable method of keeping defenders honest.
West, who took a massive pay cut to join the Spurs, is a threat in the paint as well as at the top of the key, while Diaw is the Swiss-army-knife type of player that every team simultaneously covets and fears.
This second unit is well-balanced, with the ability to move the ball quickly and find the optimal shot - something that will undoubtedly elicit that elusive Popovich smile.
McCallum, Fredette, Anderson, Bonner, and Marjanovic may not get a ton of playing time, but whenever they do get their numbers called Spurs fans can expect effective, unselfish teamwork typical of the team's long-standing M.O.
As a third unit, this group has the ability to stretch the floor behind the strong three-point shooting capabilities of Bonner and Fredette. Additionally, McCallum has the ability to lead an offense, while Anderson - the Spurs' first-round pick in 2014 - has the physical tools to become a rangy and dynamic two-way player in the mould of his teammate Leonard.
Better Than Ever?
There have often been reasons to believe in the last few years that the Spurs, a model of consistency in a continually loaded Western Conference, might be starting to slow down. Now, with their new-found depth, they are poised to become one of the best in the entire Association - for both now, and the not-too-distant post-Duncan future. Even oddmakers have pegged San Antonio as a near-lock for the 2016 title.
For the first time in quite a few years, there are very few openly doubting the boys in black and silver.