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The 2017-18 NBA season has seen some great games in its first week and as teams continue to get into a rhythm, games will only improve in quality and intensity.
Defending champions Golden State Warriors have been heavily favoured to retain their title, with the only realistic challengers being LeBron James' Cleveland Cavaliers.
Teams such as Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Minnesota Timberwolves all improved this past offseason, and are expected to be Golden State's biggest challenges in the West.
A lot of people have played down the San Antonio Spurs' chances and what we have come to understand over the years is that one can never write off a Gregg Popovich team. With five NBA Championships, he has earned that reputation.
We give you five reasons why the San Antonio Spurs are still a force to be reckoned with and why their dynasty is still alive:
#5 The presence of a rejuvenated LaMarcus Aldridge
After two seasons of trying to fit into the Spurs' team culture and a summer full of trade rumours floating around his name, LaMarcus Aldridge had clear the air by having a talk with Popovich. The two of them discussed his role in the team's style of play and came to a consensus that he needs to be given a bigger role in order for the team to be as good as they can.
San Antonio followed through on the breakthrough in talks by offering a 3-year, $72 million extensions, one that was immediately accepted by Aldridge.
With his future secure, the 6'11" power forward has been the reason the Spurs have begun the season 3-0, averaging 24.3 PPG to go with 9.3 RPG, 3.3 APG, and 1.7 BPG.
He has stepped up in the absence of Kawhi Leonard and brought in some great dynamism with his play, both inside and out, on both ends of the floor.
#4 Gregg Popovich's ability to reinvent and retool the Spurs roster
Recognised as the best coach in the NBA for his longevity and the continued success and evolution of his teams, Gregg Popovich is a big reason why the San Antonio Spurs' dynasty is still alive.
With five Championships in 21 seasons as head coach of San Antonio, it is his ability to constantly reinvent his teams and adjust to the situation that has helped him become a legendary coach.
Whether it was drafting Tim Duncan in 1998, Tony Parker in 2001 or trading George Hill for the draft rights to Kawhi Leonard, Popovich has been calculated and ruthless in his moves, helping establish the Spurs dynasty.
He converted his team from a traditional, two big team that hung their hats on defense to an extremely efficient offensive unit, relying on ball movement and outside shooting to complement their inside game.
The 68-year-old maverick has now implemented another change in the system, making them more of a small ball team that will rely on fluid movement and selfless basketball, in addition to smothering defense, to outsmart their opponents.
A testament to that approach is the fact that the roster has only four genuine big men, with LaMarcus Aldridge leading the charge, and Pau Gasol, Joffrey Lauvergne and Davis Bertrans providing support off the bench.
#3 Presence of experienced players with big-game temperament
Though the Spurs' big three era of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili ended with Duncan's retirement in 2016, however, they still have a lot of experienced players on their roster.
Ginobili and Parker are still with the team, helping out on the court in whichever way they can, while Patty Mills, Pau Gasol and Rudy Gay offer great scoring, dynamism, and presence coming off the bench.
Mills and Gay will be crucial role players this season for San Antonio, with the former helping the team with his ability to handle the ball and provide instant offense, while the latter will allow the team to go small and score in bursts with his explosiveness.
Gasol, Parker and Ginobili will be playing much more reduced roles than they used to in their heyday, but in Gregg Popovich, they have the right man to utilize their talents as they continue their progress towards yet another NBA Championship.
#2 Development of younger, dynamic players to compliment Leonard and Aldridge
Second-year guard Dejounte Murray has been extremely impressive in the first three games of the 2017-18 season, elevating his play to help his team overcome the absence of Kawhi Leonard.
The sophomore has raised his game tremendously, averaging 13.3 PPG, 9.7 RPG, and 4.7 APG in his first three games. Standing at 6'5", his size, speed, and length make him an intriguing proposition at point guard.
Forward Kyle Anderson has also shown signs of becoming a key rotation player, averaging 8.7 PPG and 7.3 RPG in the first three games and could be a big reason why they could adapt to their small ball setup with ease.
San Antonio also have 2017 draftee Bryn Forbes, who impressed in the Summer League, and Davis Bertans, who had an encouraging 2016/17 season, on their roster, and would be hoping for positive contributions from both.
All in all, the team went from being among the league's oldest roster in 2016-17 to having an average age of around 27 this season, making them an intriguing proposition this season.
#5 The Claw needs to put the San Antonio Spurs on his back
Kawhi Leonard was one of the best players in the NBA in the 2016/17 season and had it not been for his injury in the third quarter of Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals, the outcome could very well have been different.
Leonard averaged 25.5 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 3.5 APG and 1.8 SPG, making him an outside contender for regular season MVP last season. He will, however, have to improve his numbers further this season, if the San Antonio Spurs are to be in with a shot at dethroning Golden State.
His ability to affect play on both ends of the floor makes him one of the best players in the league and the two-time defensive player of the year (2015, 16) will be looking to win the award again this season.
Currently on his road back to fitness from a quadriceps injury. The Claw is undoubtedly the Spurs' main man and has to take on more responsibility if they are to challenge for the Championship.
Guess the Lakers players!
