San Antonio

Spurs

Survey data collected from team site writers and editors.

9.8

Out of 10

I trust in management and the coaching staff

8.3

Out of 10

I enjoy rooting for these players and this franchise

9.8

Out of 10

I am optimistic about the direction of the team

A Q&A with J.R. Wilco of SB Nation’s Spurs site Pounding the Rock.

What needs to happen for this to be an enjoyable season for Spurs fans?

Kawhi Leonard needs to step up his game in one last area: playmaking. If he regularly gets his teammates involved this season like he did last playoffs, then the Beautiful Basketball of the 2014 championship can't be far behind.

San Antonio Spurs / Projected Starters
Position Starters Bench
Guards Tony Parker (injured) Patty Mills Dejounte Murray Derrick White
Wings Kawhi Leonard Danny Green Rudy Gay Manu Ginobili Kyle Anderson Bryn Forbes Brandon Paul
Bigs LaMarcus Aldridge Pau Gasol Davis Bertans Joffrey Lauvergne

What makes Spurs fans most excited about this year? What makes Spurs fans most nervous?

Most excited? Dejounte Murray: starting point guard. Most nervous: Dejounte Murray: starting point guard.

With Tony Parker not quite back from his right knee injury, the second-year Murray will get the opportunity to show what he's capable of doing. That's exhilarating and nerve-wracking.

Gut Check

Survey data collected from site writers and editors. The wider the graph the more optimism and trust the fans have in their team! The grey line indicates the average of all sites' collected data.

8.3

Out of 10

How good will your team be this year

6.8

Out of 10

Are they on the rise or on the decline

8.0

Out of 10

Are fans happy with the team’s direction or angry

7.3

Out of 10

Are they trying to win now or build for the future

What storyline might a national audience be missing about the Spurs?

After playing two big men for the vast majority of last season, San Antonio's roster, featuring just three rotation big men, will force the team to play an unprecedented amount of small-ball. The Spurs were remarkably successful at this last year, but they rarely went to it.

Why should neutrals pay attention to the Spurs this year?

It's a new Spurs team. After sporting the league's oldest roster in 2016 with an average age of 31.6, this season's average age is a spry 26.7. Plus, everyone on the roster shoots threes. Imagine what Gregg Popovich will do with such an attack.

What's your prediction for the season?

High 50s. While they're not likely to match last season's 61 wins, the Spurs will snag West's second or third seed and have a great chance at making it back to the Western Conference Finals. Hopefully Kawhi won't get Zaza'd again.