NBA Western Power Rankings Week 4: Warriors make history
By Tom West
Nov 23, 2015; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs point guard Tony Parker (left) and power forward Tim Duncan (21) talk as they head to the bench against the Phoenix Suns during the second half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
2nd: San Antonio Spurs (42 points)
By Tom West
Record: 11-3
Record last week: 4-1
Team basketball, a new perennial All-Star power forward, and the constant emergence of Kawhi Leonard has the Spurs sitting just below the Warriors at 2nd place in the Western Conference so far. Plus, what with Tim Duncan refusing to retire, they just keep on rolling in the only way they know how.
Without egos or flashy superstars, and with stellar ball movement and elite defense, the Spurs continue to reside around the top of the West. LaMarcus Aldridge is the perfect big man to step into the offense as Duncan’s minutes decline, and his 15.3 points and 9.9 rebounds per game are a nice start for him. With his signature mid-range jumper and post turnaround, he has a great skill set to seamlessly fit in after Duncan calls it a career.
As of right now, though, everyone across the Spurs roster is still chipping in. Leonard is putting up 21.5 points and 7.8 rebounds per game, Manu Ginobili looks younger somehow, Duncan is still averaging 10.6 points, 8.1 rebounds and 1.8 blocks, and San Antonio have a total of five players averaging over 10 points a game.
Last week, all these assets led them to a 4-1 record even while Aldridge missed their last two games, and they’ve been one of the NBA’s only consistent contenders so far.
Next: Golden State Warriors