Clippers 2016-17 schedule: 5 best games of the first month

November 5 @ San Antonio Spurs

There’s no way around the fact that the closest contender to the Clippers in the Western Conference is the San Antonio Spurs. The Warriors are in a realm of their own after adding Kevin Durant. The fight for the 4th seed will be an entertaining one among up and coming contenders, but not one that will reveal a genuine title threat. The real contest among the elite is for the 2nd seed, a contest that is almost unanimously regarded as one between the Spurs and Clippers.

The Spurs won’t be the same as they were last season, though. Being a clear 1st place in defensive efficiency and ranking 2nd in opponent field goal percentage within five feet (per NBA.com) won’t necessarily happen again. In fact, it’s likely there could be a noticeable setback in terms of the latter statistic after the free agency they’ve had.

Tim Duncan, old but still so sound with precise, intelligent interior defense, has retired, leaving a new set of big men to protect the paint in his absence. LaMarcus Aldridge will remain as a focal point alongside Kawhi Leonard offensively, but he simply can’t protect the rim in the way that Duncan continued to do so last season.

Now accompanied by Pau Gasol and David Lee, slower, older, negative defenders will highlight the Spurs’ frontcourt. If there’s a matchup that could favor the Clippers in their battles against San Antonio, it’s the advantage that Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan have.

Griffin can take such opponents off the dribble when he isn’t bruising his way forward in the post, and the pick-and-roll potential with both could be devastating to players like Gasol and Lee when drawn away from the basket.

Even still, the Spurs are one of the top few teams in the NBA for a reason. Gasol is still a highly skilful offensive player, whose passing and mid-range game fits the Spurs’ style well. Meanwhile, the backcourt has remained in tact (despite age), they drafted well with Dejounte Murray, and Kawhi Leonard continues to expand his offensive repertoire as he tallies Defensive Player of the Year awards to fill his likely understated trophy cabinet.

The Spurs have changed, but they’re still formidable. Talent, depth and Gregg Popovich are still prevalent, and they’re the closest to the Clippers in the West. The Clips’ meeting on November 5, following an outing against the Grizzlies in Memphis the night before, can’t be missed. Playing on the road again also gives the Spurs a well-rested edge.

Next: Facing the NBA's most exciting team on the rise