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San Antonio Spurs: Kawhi Leonard’s return creates a new threat out West

By Brandon Osborne

OAKLAND, CA - MAY 14: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the San Antonio Spurs stands on the court during Game One of the NBA Western Conference Finals against the Golden State Warriors at ORACLE Arena on May 14, 2017 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - MAY 14: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the San Antonio Spurs stands on the court during Game One of the NBA Western Conference Finals against the Golden State Warriors at ORACLE Arena on May 14, 2017 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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With Kawhi Leonard returning this week, the San Antonio Spurs are looking more and more like a real threat in the Western Conference

Don’t look now, but one of the NBA’s most successful and consistent franchises is about to have a major upgrade. The San Antonio Spurs have been without their superstar Kawhi Leonard all season, but that is about to change. Leonad is expected to make his return Tuesday against the Dallas Mavericks.

Through 27 games the Spurs have managed to win 19 of them and they are now poised to see their leader return.

Last season, Kawhi Leonard was an MVP candidate and was arguably the NBA’s best two-way player. He displayed the ability to go head-to-head with the games best whether it was LeBron James, Kevin Durant or anyone else in the league. He could put up 30 points on an efficient 48.5 percent while also locking down the opposing team’s best player.

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He led the Spurs to a 61-21 record last season and an appearance in the Western Conference Finals.

Currently, the Spurs are sitting at 19-8. San Antonio is only 2.5 games back of the Western Conference leading Houston Rockets and the Golden State Warriors. Should Leonard return to his form from last season, the Spurs could have a shot at catching both Houston and Golden State for the top seed in the West.

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich deserves a lot of credit for not only keeping San Antonio in contention but for getting great starts from Rudy Gay, Kyle Anderson and LaMarcus Aldridge. Gay and Anderson have been efficient on both ends while Aldridge has Spurs fans seeing the player they envisioned when he signed back in 2015.

Aldridge is averaging 22.5 points per game, which is his highest as a Spurs, while also having the best effective field goal percentage of his career. He’s seemed to finally discover his place on the team and looks like the dominant forward he was with the Trail Blazers.

Anderson is putting up career high averages in points, rebounds, assists and field goal percentage. As for Gay, he’s been extremely helpful keeping the Spurs among the top 5 in defensive rating as he’s averaging a career high in defensive rating at 100 points per 100 possessions.

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Once Leonard is acclimated and back to game shape, then we will finally see just how good this Spurs team can be. Are they true threats to the Rockets and Warriors? Should they be among the teams considered title contenders?

If history has shown us anything it’s that the San Antonio Spurs will always be among the best and are just as much of a threat as anyone.

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