Are the San Antonio Spurs title contenders?

Apr 15, 2017; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) is fouled while shooting by Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol (right) during the second half in game one of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 15, 2017; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) is fouled while shooting by Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol (right) during the second half in game one of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Spurs are currently up 2-0 in their first round series against the Memphis Grizzlies (take THAT for data) after completing a 61-win regular season, yet questions remain if they are good enough to be title contenders. What is it that keeps many NBA fans and analysts from putting San Antonio in the same class as the Cavaliers and the Warriors? With MVP candidate Kawhi Leonard, the top regular season defense and arguably the best coach in Gregg Popovich, is San Antonio truly a step beneath the other elite teams?

To help answer these questions, Brayden Neubauer (@braydenominator) joins Fastbreak Breakfast. Brayden is a contributor to PoundingtheRock.com and a lifelong Spurs fan. How far does he think they can go in the playoffs? And who will be the catalyst if they are able to stun the critics and once again become NBA champions?

Also covered:

  • Has Tony Parker intercepted Vince Carter’s secret Florida shipment of Jaguar Growth Hormones?
  • How does the pejorative “System Player” term affect the careers of Kawhi Leonard and Tim Duncan?
  • If they finish off the Grizzlies, how does San Antonio match-up with potential second round opponents?
  • Has LaMarcus Aldridge lived up to expectations?
  • Do the Spurs sometimes sign random players just to throw other copycat franchises off the scent?
  • Will this be the year that we finally get a Warriors/Spurs playoff showdown?

All Fastbreak Breakfast episodes are also available for download on iTunes and Soundcloud.

Original music provided by Codaphonic

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