For the first time in 19 years, the San Antonio Spurs headed into the 2016-17 NBA season without Tim Duncan. However, Kawhi Leonard took another step in his development after averaging 25.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 3.5 assists.
With another 50-plus wins season in the books, the Spurs met the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference Finals. Unfortunately, the two-time All-Star suffered a season-ending ankle injury after Zaza Pachulia's dirty play in Game 1, which eventually led to the Spurs getting swept.
Before the new season begins, Leonard is currently in China where he appears to be extremely motivated after what happened according to Michael C. Wright of ESPN:
“Everyone saw how it ended. [The offseason] started off slow, just rehabbing, getting back 100 percent. But obviously, just everything like I say every year. Just come back a better player, better man, better leader, and just work on my game. I respect it. I'm very passionate about it. I love to play. This is why I work so hard at it. [I've been working on] just everything, shooting. You'll see. You'll see next season. Something always new comes.”
For the Spurs, they made interesting moves during the offseason in hopes of dethroning the defending champions. After re-signing Manu Ginobili, Pau Gasol, and Patty Mills, San Antonio also signed Rudy Gay and Joffrey Lauvergne during the course of free agency.
With Tony Parker not expected to return until January, it will be up to Leonard and LaMarcus Aldridge to keep them afloat in the highly competitive Western Conference. Despite losing the 35-year-old for the first few months, the Spurs are projected to win 52.6 games and finish in the third seed according to ESPN.
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