Fansided

NBA: Contender Or Pretender?

By Gerald Bourguet

Oct 20, 2014; Columbus, OH, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) drives past Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) at Value City Arena. Cleveland won the game 107-98. Mandatory Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 20, 2014; Columbus, OH, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) drives past Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) at Value City Arena. Cleveland won the game 107-98. Mandatory Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 18, 2014; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs power forward Tim Duncan (21) reacts after a shot against the Miami Heat during the second half at AT&T Center. The Heat won 111-108 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /

San Antonio Spurs

Contender:

Nobody is going to make the mistake of doubting the Spurs until the day that Tim Duncan hangs it up and finally surrenders to Father Time, so this one really is a no-brainer. San Antonio is coming off quite possibly the most dominant Finals series in NBA history and though they’re not fueled by summer-long rage over losing in the championship like last time, they will be motivated to repeat for the first time in franchise history.

Even better, the Spurs basically have everybody back, not to mention a young rookie who might end up being the steal of the draft in Kyle Anderson. Until the day that Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili hang it up, Gregg Popovich will be coaching a 50+ win team every year.

Pretender:

However, the Spurs were definitely on a mission last season and after being vindicated with a satisfying five-game victory over the Heat, that same motivation might not be there this time around. Patrick Mills missing at least half the season is an underrated loss for this team, especially after the breakout season he had last year. The Spurs can’t be doubted, but I’m not sure another year under their belts means they can be trusted to repeat either.

Pop is going to rest his starters and his team will still compete no matter who’s on the floor. But if the Thunder are healthy come playoff time, they match up very well with San Antonio. I think this is the year the San Antonio Spurs machine finally starts to show signs of it’s age, but calling them a pretender would be plain foolishness.

Verdict: Contender

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