The San Antonio Spurs are experiencing major changes as the season approaches, requiring both LaMarcus Aldridge and Patty Mills to assume key roles. Following the messy breakup with Kawhi Leonard and the retirement of Manu Ginobili, there is a leadership vacuum on the Spurs.

Regarding the team leaders, Gregg Popovich believes Aldridge will help fill the void. Popovich said, via Tom Orsborn of the San Antonio-Express News:

“Manu was a great help to him, because he watched Manu in the locker room and in timeouts, how he conducted himself. L.A. made a huge step last year in that regard.”

Aldridge is a returning star and he makes complete sense as a team leader. But Popovich also believes that Patty Mills will lead by example. Popovich told Orsborn:

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“Patty Mills has been part of our spirit for a while now. He doesn’t just energize the team. He really gives them a direction and a standard the way he plays every day.”

Mills is one of the two players on the roster who raised the Larry O'Brien Trophy with the Spurs in 2014. The other is Marco Belinelli, but he is returning for his second stint in San Antonio after bouncing around the league for a few years.

Mills is one of the last players who embody the Duncan-led Spurs. The makeup of the team is much different than it was just a few years ago, but Mills still embodies the spirit of the Spurs dynasty.