NBA: 30 Storylines Driving The 2015-16 Season

Apr 30, 2015; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs power forward Tim Duncan (21) waits to enter the game against the Los Angeles Clippers in game six of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

San Antonio Spurs – Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow

When you think of the San Antonio Spurs you think of yesterday’s success, especially over the course of the last two decades. You think of David Robinson, Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, and Tony Parker. You think of their glory days: when the Twin Tower formula reigned supreme, when Duncan was the undisputed MVP of the league, when Ginobili could score and create with the best of them, and when Parker could dazzle us with his agility and quickness.

When you think about the Spurs you think about the team that went to consecutive NBA Finals, winning the latter just two seasons ago. You think of the emergence of Kawhi Leonard and the incredibly unselfish ball movement that brought an end to the reign of the notorious Miami Heat Big 3. You think of them breaking ground by having Becky Hammon coach their Summer League team, and go on to win the Las Vegas Summer League title. You think of them retaining major pieces: Leonard, Ginobili, Duncan, and Danny Green; and them bringing in other players to make them better: LaMarcus Aldridge and David West.

What you don’t typically think of with the Spurs is tomorrow. For the better part of the last decade, the general body of the basketball community (myself included) has written them off year after year, saying their best days being far behind them. Even though they constantly prove us wrong with 60-70 win seasons and solid playoff performances, we still don’t look at them and see a future beyond today.

Now, however, we can see the bright lights of tomorrow in the heart of San Antonio. The combination of Aldridge and Leonard seem poised to carry the torch once the stars of yester-year are ready to pass it on. The potent mix of youth with experience are set to provide the Spurs with a number of winning seasons as they move forward.

Regardless of their long term plans or storied past, their immediate future likely holds one of the West’s higher seeds and a deep playoff run.

Next: Suns: Well That Escalated Quickly