Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Just like how the 2013 NBA Finals concluded, the San Antonio Spurs blew a 3-2 series lead in the first round of the 2015 NBA Playoffs and were eliminated in heartbreaking fashion by the Los Angeles Clippers in seven games. Despite being the better and deeper team for the majority of the series, the Spurs were unable to take advantage of many opportunities to close out the talented Clippers. Instead of advancing further in the playoffs to defend their 2014 NBA championship, the Spurs are now watching the playoffs from home with more questions than answers about what the future holds.
The Spurs’ bench was leaps and bounds better than the Clippers’ supporting cast, but L.A.’s starters completely outplayed San Antonio’s first string the entire series. Fittingly, most of San Antonio’s questions this summer focus upon its starting five. The most significant question facing the Spurs this offseason is whether or not future Hall of Famer Tim Duncan will return next season. At age 39, Duncan had a phenomenal 18th season in the NBA. However, the 15-time All-Star’s contract is up this July and San Antonio could pursue someone younger to replace The Big Fundamental at power forward. There is no indication yet that Duncan plans to retire or that the Spurs are looking to move on, but speculation will run rampant until a clear decision is made. As a lifelong Duncan fan and believer that Duncan is the greatest power forward to ever play basketball, I hope the basketball world has not seen the last of Tim Duncan.
Future Hall of Famer Manu Ginobili is also a free agent this summer and looking at retirement right in the face as well. At age 37, the sixth man Ginobili struggled for much of the first round and was a non-factor against the Clippers; a similar role he played in the 2013 NBA Finals against the Miami Heat. Unlike Duncan who continues to play at an extremely-high level despite his age, Ginobili may be ready to walk away from basketball due to his struggles. Neither Ginobili nor the Spurs have indicated yet their plans going forward, but it sounds like Ginobili is much more open to the possibility of retirement than Duncan. As previously stated, speculation will run amok until someone makes a decision.
While All-Star point guard Tony Parker will definitely return next season, two other key starters who will be free agents this summer are forward Kawhi Leonard and guard Danny Green. Leonard is a restricted free agent, which means the Spurs will be able to match any offer the Defensive Player of the Year receives from other teams. It is highly unlikely that Leonard will leave San Antonio, but head coach Gregg Popovich and the Spurs’ front office must be prepared to break the bank open for Leonard who is sure to get some very nice offers from around the league this July. Because Leonard is becoming one of the best two-way players in the NBA, the Spurs cannot afford to lose him in free agency.
Green has been an outstanding perimeter shooter for the Spurs and benefited from Popovich’s offensive system built upon ball movement, moving without the ball and screening. Despite being known as a good perimeter defender, Green was not great on the defensive end in the series against the Clippers. The Spurs will want to bring Green back for his 3-point shooting, athleticism and size for a wing player and his ability to defend the perimeter. Whether Green chooses to stay in San Antonio or leave for likely more money, Green can thank the Spurs for the payday he is going to receive this summer. However, don’t expect the Spurs to break the bank open for Green like how San Antonio will for Kawhi Leonard.
If the Spurs can keep the core together for another season and stay healthy, this team will no doubt contend for a sixth NBA championship next season. Had this team won on the final day of the regular season and claimed the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference rather than lost home court and fallen to the No. 6 spot, the Spurs would probably be in the West Finals right now. I do not think that we have seen the last of excellent basketball from the San Antonio Spurs.
Patrick Ralph is a writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Pat_Ralph, like him on Facebook, or add him to your network on Google.
