5 reasons the San Antonio Spurs can win the 2017 NBA Championship

By John Buhler | Apr 14, 2017

Mar 21, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (2) dribbles in the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. The San Antonio Spurs beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 100-93. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /

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Mar 13, 2017; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs center Pau Gasol (16) gestures after hitting a three-point shot against the Atlanta Hawks during the first half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Seeding doesn’t matter with this team

Let’s be real. There are only two teams in the NBA where playoff seeding does not matter. We already know which two teams those are: San Antonio and whatever team LeBron is on. San Antonio could win an NBA Finals as a No. 8 seed if Popovich wanted the challenge. The same thing could be said for James and the Cavaliers.

Popovich only cares about the NBA Playoffs, he will rest his starters at times to conserve energy for April, May and June. It’s a controversial coaching tactic, but it has been a bold strategy that has played out well for the Spurs.

In short, San Antonio doesn’t fall to pieces if it doesn’t get the No. 1 seed in the West, or even home-court advantage in the first round. This isn’t their first rodeo, as San Antonio has proven year after year it can win playoff games from any seed. Interestingly, the Spurs once blew a No. 1 seed to the No. 8 Grizzlies five years ago. That was embarrassing, but San Antonio has since won two more NBA Finals.

Since San Antonio has garnered the No. 2 seed in the West this year, they would only be the underdogs against Golden State, should the two teams meet in the NBA Finals. They are the only two teams with over 60 wins this season. In every other matchup, the Spurs will have home-court advantage. Basically, home-court advantage in the Western Conference Finals is more important to Golden State than San Antonio. If the Spurs had to beat the Warriors on the moon, they’d figure out a way to do it.