The San Antonio Spurs made a surprisingly early exit from last year’s playoffs. After some lackluster mid-season play, the defending champions found another gear in the spring, going into the playoffs looking strong. The Clippers series that tossed them out could have gone either way, and the Spurs as constructed were set to compete at a high level again this year. Then, boom: LaMarcus Aldridge joined San Antonio and suddenly the Western Conference looks different. The Warriors must still be the favorite, but with a healthy Tim Duncan, the Kawhi Leonard-LaMarcus Aldridge-led Spurs just aren’t a team anybody wants to play.
Word in the rumor mill is that David West is next on the Spurs wish list. West has been a rock for the Pacers for years, a very difficult cover who delivers points when needed, but also a genius at the intangibles of team basketball– especially on defense. And at 34, West won’t even seem old by Spurs standards. West, like anybody else, must consider the Spurs even at low money — they give a guy a chance to win the title.
