Listen to SB Nation’s San Antonio Spurs preview.
The Spurs looked like they'd make a big splash this summer. Instead, they've brought the band back together, including a surprise contract extension for LaMarcus Aldridge. Are Spurs fans worried, or has the team bought itself enough goodwill?
We brought on J.R. Wilco and Bruno Passos of SB Nation Spurs site, Pounding the Rock, to discuss the following:
- INSTANT REACTION to Aldridge's new three-year, $72.3 million extension. And we do mean instant, because we began recording minutes after the news broke.
- Why didn't the Spurs make the big move that many expected? Why re-sign Pau Gasol and Aldridge with their cap space? Are they playing a different game that we can't see?
- Kawhi Leonard's gonna be OK healthwise, right? This quad issue isn't a long-term thing, is it? Assuming not, what can he possibly do for an encore?
- Rudy Gay seems like an interesting fit. How will that work? And will the Spurs play more of a modern style after playing very traditionally last year?
- Why are Spurs fans going gaga over Dejounte Murray?
- Over/under six long Gregg Popovich screeds against President Donald Trump? (That doesn't count the one from today, which dropped after we recorded). Which game will he unleash his grumpiest sideline interview?
- The all-important banana boat question.
- Are the Spurs still the toughest matchup for the Warriors? Did this summer get them closer to or further away from the Warriors? Why do they seem to have more success than most against them? How do Spurs fans feel about the Warriors?
- More worried about the Rockets or Thunder as a challenger?
- Assuming Kawhi is healthy, he's definitely winning MVP, isn't he?
Plus, more dumb things to bet on. Recreationally, of course.
This podcast was part of the Limited Upside podcast’s 2017-18 offseason series previewing all 30 NBA teams with members of SB Nation’s team communities and other friends of the show. We’ve spent the last two-and-a-half months gauging the temperature of every fan base heading into what should be a terrific NBA season. There’s no better way to understand what makes NBA fans in each market tick.
We began these in August and counted down worst-to-first leading up to the season. Here’s how to listen to them all:
- Nets with Kristian Winfield and Nets Daily’s Anthony Puccio
- Lakers with Zito Madu and Silver Screen and Roll’s Anthony Irwin and Harrison Faigen
- Suns with Bright Side of the Sun’s Dave King and Evan Sidery
- 76ers with Tyler Tynes and Liberty Ballers’ Kyle Neubeck
- Knicks with Kristian Winfield and Posting and Toasting’s Seth Rosenthal
- Magic with Orlando Pinstriped Post’s Zach Oliver and Cory Hutson
- Kings with Kenny Carraway and Sactown Royalty’s Tony Xypteras
- Mavs with Tim Cato and Mavs Moneyball’s Kirk Henderson
- Wolves with Canis Hooups’ Eric Goldman and John Meyer
- Pelicans with The Bird Writes’ Oleh Kosel and Travis Tate
- Hornets with James Dator and At the Hive’s Nicklaus Denning
- Pistons with John Ketchum, Kofie Yeboah and Detroit Bad Boys’ Lazarus Jackson
- Nuggets with Denver Stiffs’ Adam Mares
- Heat with Kelly Cohen and Hot Hot Hoops’ Surya Fernandez
- Bulls with Ricky O’Donnell and Blog a Bull’s Jason Patt
- Pacers with Whitney Medworth and Indy Cornrows’ Caitlin Cooper
- Blazers with Blazers Edge’s Brian Freeman and Peter Sampson
- Bucks with Kevin McCauley and Brew Hoop’s Mitchell Maurer
- Hawks with Harry Lyles Jr. and Peachtree Hoops’ Brad Rowland
- Grizzlies with Grizzly Bear Blues’ Joe Mullinax
- Thunder with Eddie Maisonet and Welcome to Loud City’s Joshua Broom
- Thunder addendum! Carmelo Anthony trade emergency pod with Eddie Maisonet
- Wizards with Sports Illustrated’s Andrew Sharp and Bullets Forever’s Michael Sykes
- Jazz with SLC Dunk’s Mychal Lowman and James Hansen.
- Raptors with Raptors HQ’s Daniel Reynolds and freelance writer Seerat Sohi
- Cavaliers with Fear the Sword’s Chris Manning and MMA Fighting’s Eric Jackman
- Clippers with Clips Nation’s Lucas Hann and former L.A. video coordinator Mo Dakhil
- Celtics with Paul Flannery and Celtics Blog’s Nick Gelso
- Rockets with The Dream Shake’s Ethan Rothstein and Jeremy Brener
- Spurs with Pounding the Rock’s J.R. Wilco and Bruno Passos
- Warriors with Golden State of Mind’s Bram Kincheloe