Toronto Raptors: Who from the Southwest Division can compete with the Raptors?
By Go Paolo
SAN ANTONIO SPURS
Last season actual: 47 – 35
This season forecast: 51 – 31
Welcome: DeMar DeRozan, Jakob Poeltl, Lonnie Walker IV, Chimezie Metu, Marco Belinelli, and Dante Cunningham
Farewell: Kawhi Leonard, Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker, Danny Green, and Kyle Anderson
It’s the beginning of a new Spurs era.
In one offseason, San Antonio lost half of its rotation including legends Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili, superstar Kawhi Leonard, and swingmen Danny Green and Kyle Anderson.
But the good news is, coach Gregg Popovich returns to the sidelines with some reinforcements led by former Raptors DeMar DeRozan and Jakob Poeltl.
DeRozan is the main piece of a blockbuster trade that sent Leonard and Green to Toronto. He will give the Spurs a potent scoring option from the perimeter, something they lacked last year thanks to Leonard’s injury.
Poeltl will solidify the Spurs’ frontcourt and will give the 38-year-old Pau Gasol time to rest.
Two more significant additions to the Spurs are first-round draft pick Lonnie Walker IV and Marco Belinelli.
Walker is an athletic shooting guard who will play behind DeRozan. He is a creative scorer and his defensive deficiencies will be remedied by playing in Pop’s locker room. The same can be said for Belinelli but with better shooting and more experience.
The two come at the best time as they will look to fill the void left by Parker and Ginobili.
People are making a mistake writing off the Spurs. They won 47 games last season with Leonard only playing in seven games. DeRozan will elevate their offence. LaMarcus Aldridge should continue to produce at a high-level. And the new additions will chip in nicely.
San Antonio will win 50 games quietly like they usually do.