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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2. No debate about who is the Spurs’ star

Golden State may have four star players and Cleveland may have three. However, there is only one star with this year’s Spurs team. His name is Kawhi Leonard and he has been an MVP candidate for the Spurs all season long.

Leonard may not end up winning his first MVP trophy, but he might be the most complete player in the NBA today. He is elite defensively and has improved his offensive game to achieve superstardom. Leonard is the only guy in the NBA that can guard both Stephen Curry and James at a high level. He will probably have to do that to bring No. 6 to San Antonio.

To be fair, this is one of the blandest supporting casts Popovich has had in leading the Spurs. LaMarcus Aldridge is great, but not an elite player, not known to show up when it counts. Tony Parker is no longer a strong player. Manu Ginobili has fumes left in the tank. The same could be said about first-year Spur Pau Gasol.

Fortunately for Popovich, his rotation is chock full of veterans from championship teams and he has a new star player he can lean on in winning time in Leonard. While Curry and Kevin Durant play hot potato with the basketball in trying to figure out who is going to take over for the Warriors, look for Leonard to flex his Klaw and get the Spurs to the NBA Finals.