2015 NBA Playoffs: 10 Things I Think Will Happen In the Playoffs

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Jun 18, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich talks to San Antonio Spurs shooting guard Manu Ginobili (20) and power forward Tim Duncan (right) during overtime in game six in the 2013 NBA Finals at American Airlines Arena. The Heat won 103-100 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

The Spurs will finally pass the torch, but not without a fight

Every year we say it and every year they prove us wrong.

The San Antonio Spurs, Gregg Popovich, Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili and now Kawhi Leonard almost make it a yearly tradition to prove the naysayers wrong. And for the past two seasons, they couldn’t have done it any better, making it to back-to-back NBA Finals.

One thing they haven’t done during their franchise’s five NBA Championships, though, is win back-to-back titles. That’s what they’re tasked with this season.

While it’s almost unfathomable for a team as “old” as the San Antonio Spurs to reach three consecutive NBA Finals, I don’t think there’s anyone in America that’s counting them out this season. We kind of learned our lesson during the last two years.

However, that won’t be the case this season. With all due respect to the Spurs, I firmly believe that this is the year that they finally take a step back. Or, in this case, pass their torch.

And it’ll happen in the Western Conference Finals, to the Golden State Warriors. In seven games.

Next: Grit and done?