Dejounte Murray hits new career-high 47 points in thrashing of Pistons, 113-82.

Dejounte Murray soared to new heights, dunking past the defense at will to finish the game with 47 points, six more than his previous best personal scoring achievement. Coach Popovich, normally known for taking out his stars once the outcome is no longer in question, said after the game, "He was hungry tonight. We talked about packing it in, but D wanted to be out there. Sometimes, you gotta let the lion hunt so I did." Murray spoke warmly of Coach Pop post-game, also: "He's unbelievable. I really look at him like a father, a great role model. He always got the right things to say."

Murray's dominance let Brandon Ingram get a night off, who finished with __ points in just __ minutes.

Meanwhile, Andre Drummond feasted on his old team with 25 rebounds.

For the Pistons, Cole Anthony had an off night shooting the ball. Derrick Rose had __ points, with Kyle Kuzma's __ not much help. The Pistons trailed by as many as __ points.

Spurs overcome early deficit, even season series with Clippers: 97-111.

The Spurs took a beating early, trailing by eleven points throughout a contentious first half of basketball. A huge 41-24 spark of a 3rd Quarter proved to be the difference. The Clippers hit on only 3-18 attempts from deep, with the Spurs hitting 12 from deep to get ahead and lead by as much as 15.

Dejounte Murray scored 27 points to lead San Antonio to a big victory tonight. Brandon Ingram had 21 points, with 18 by Fred VanVleet who made six threes. Andre Drummond has 14 rebounds with 18 points and 4 blocks.

Rodions Kurucs made Kawhi Leonard pay for lax defensive coverage, scoring 9 points with 5 rebounds. Leonard managed 21 points and Paul George notched 22. The duo shot 1-4 from 3PT range, however. Rudy Gobert had 13 rebounds. 

Spurs use second quarter to control Timberwolves, 115-122 for 9th straight win.

Karl-Anthony Towns beast-moded his way to 43 points, but the Spurs went on a scoring run in the 2nd Quarter as the Timberwolves couldn't buy a bucket, winning the period 32-18 after a first quarter stalemate.

Minnesota fought back within single digits, trailing by three points at the tail end of things, but a clutch alley oop smash by Andre Drummond (16 points, 13 rebounds, 3 blocks) courtesy of Alex Caruso (9 points, 2-2 3PT) sealed the deal as did a 3PT dagger from Evan Fournier (8 points, 2-4 3PT).

Brandon Ingram led San Antonio with 22 points, nabbing 2 steals. Dejounte Murray played well for 20 points, dishing 6 assists with 3 steals. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope dropped in 16 points, hitting four threes. Fred VanVleet scored 13 of his 15 points in the 1st Quarter, hitting three from deep. Rodions Kurucs continues to play well, scoring 7 off the bench with 1 block.

For the Timberwolves, KAT played with fire but got hammered at the basket by Drummond, swatting the ball at the last second that kept the lead under control in a highlight play. Towns fouled Drummond in desperation with time running out, drawing his sixth foul to spoil 16 rebounds & 2 blocks of his own. Josh Okogie scored 22 points, but missed all four of his 3PT attempts. D'Angelo Russell dished 11 assists, but also missed all four of his shots from long range, scoring 15 overall. Ricky Rubio had 9 points, 10 assists.

In the narrow defeat, Anthony Edwards had 6 points on 2-9 shooting.

Spurs best Lakers in battle of west titans, 110-120.

Every Spurs fan @AT&T Center was on pins and needless, collectively breathless by the buzzer's sound as they watched the defending champions cling to a 4-PT advantage for most of the night. Klay Thompson, being Klay Thompson, buried a corner 3PT bomb to end the 3rd Quarter, giving the Lakers a one-point lead heading into halftime, 53-52.

The Spurs recovered strongly, taking a 87-80 lead into the final period. It helped their odds tremendously to see Steven Adams foul out before the end of the 3rd Quarter, harassed ruthlessly by the driving tenacity of Dejounte Murray (25 points, 2 steals, 10-12 FTs) & Brandon Ingram (28 points, 10-10 FTs). Adams fouled out with 4 points, 2 rebounds, unable to contend with Andre Drummond's 18 rebounds (9 points, 1 block, 1 steal). Fred VanVleet had 16 points, scoring 9 of them in the 1st Quarter to give the Spurs a 29-25 early advantage. He would go 4-9 from long range, overall. KCP hit 4 threes of his own, for 14 points. San Antonio's shooters definitely came through in the clutch, a huge part of the victory.

It was Dejounte Murray's corner 3PT dagger that sealed the victory to the roar of the crowd, which segued into the classic "Beat L-A" chant. Drummond had poked the ball free from LeBron's grasp, which sparked a fast break pass by Ingram to Murray in the corner, giving the Spurs a 104-110 lead. Free throws by LA would keep them in it, though. Meanwhile, Rodion Kurucs had 10 points off the bench, hitting two threes and earning some respect from Anthony Davis, whose lax defensive coverage came back to bite L.A. The bench came through also for the Spurs, playing well enough to hold the line as the stars got some breathing room on the sidelines.

In the narrow defeat, LeBron James missed a wide-open jumper as Klay Thompson nearly got open for a 3 on the fast break. It had become just a 2-PT, one possession affair at 108-110 with 1 minute left to go in regulation as Murray heroically drew another whistle, burying two more to fend off the Lakers. Not to be outdone, LeBron found Dennis Schroder. He was on fire in his own right, nailing the layup with 49s left. Next, Murray caught a double-team but whipped the ball down to Ingram, who double-clutched his way past a trailing Anthony Davis for the rise-up dunk. After LeBron's misfire, Klay nearly got the rebound but Drummond prevailed and that was all she wrote, at last. Down by four after two free throws, Davis missed a 3PT attempt and more free throws followed to seal the strong win.

The Rest: 

Anthony Davis: 28 points, 10 rebounds, 2 blocks)

Dennis Schroder: 24 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists, 4-6 3PT

LeBron James: 18 points, 8 assists, 5 turnovers

Wes Matthews: 11 points

Klay Thompson: 7 points, 3-11 FG (1-5 3PT)

Shabazz Napier: 6 points, 2 assists

Spurs pulverize Knicks by 51 points, 143-92 in the Garden.

Things got ugly fast in MSG tonight: the Spurs won the 1st Quarter, 42-25. The Knicks fought back, 30-23 in the second. Then the second half happened. The Spurs outscored the Knicks by 41, scoring 78 points (in the second half!) to just 37 by New York.

The fans in attendance, most notably Spike Lee, that stayed til the mercy cry of the buzzer had booed their lungs out at the young team, who'd already been yelled at all game long by Coach Thibodeau. He got ejected to make matters worse when Draymond Green got whistled for a flagrant-1 foul on Brandon Ingram, who nearly annihilated the Knicks by himself.

The Slender-Man scored 32 points with 4 steals, leading the Spurs. Andre Drummond crushed the Knicks in the 4th Quarter, finishing with 20 points & 23 rebounds with 5 thunderous blocks & 3 steals. Dejounte Murray had 19 points & 7 assists. Fred VanVleet was a flawless five-for-five from long range, scoring 19 points & 12 assists in his best game so far this season. KCP chipped in 15 points. Evan Fournier had 10 points, with 8 points by Alex Caruso.

For the Knicks, it wasn't all bad, somehow: Mitchell Robinson had 18 points. R.J. Barrett had 16 points, but shot 6-14. Nerlens Noel had 14 points in the loss. The Spurs shot an astounding 60%, to 38% by NY. They also shot 57% from 3PT territory, to just 10% by the Knicks (2-20!). They won the fast break, 39-19, dominated the paint 74-56, had 44 assists as a team which may very well be close to a team record and dominated the glass 53-38. The Knicks were forced into 18 turnovers and never led.

It's still early this season, but the Spurs may have trouble scoring 143 points a second time. For comparison, the 76ers scored 143 points against the Spurs two seasons ago, when they lost the Finals in double overtime. San Antonio also scored 145 points in the regular season that year in a huge win over the Timberwolves. The team record for points by the Spurs is 171, way back in 1982 which was a triple-overtime win over the Bucks.

Spurs control east rival 76ers on road, 119-103.

The Philadelphia 76ers (13-2) were given a third defeat by their twice Finals foe of recent memory, spoiling a 38-PT downpour by James Harden. It took The Beard thirty shots to get there, though, with Ben Simmons put on an island by the Spurs defense (9 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists). Tobias Harris scored 24 points, with 10 & 8 by Clint Capela. The rest of Philly's shooters did little to make things interesting, trailing continually by around 15 points all game long.

1st Qtr: 26-12, SA

2nd Qtr: 30-29, SA

3rd Qtr: 32-29, SA

4th Qtr: 33-31, PH

Brandon Ingram had 26 points to lead the Spurs. Fred VanVleet was on fire for 21 points, hitting 5-6 from long range. Evan Fournier had 13 points. Marc Gasol contributed 13 off the bench, behind a huge 11pt/20reb showing by Drummond. Dejounte Murray had 10 points, but fought foul trouble and lost. KCP had 9 points.

When asked post-game about possible lineup changes and Harden's usage rate, Philly's new head coach, Doc Rivers, said "We'll see, but we have a strong team. On the other hand, we only meet this team one more time and we're hoping to get a leg up next time around." The 76ers last lost to the Spurs in an insane, double overtime classic, bowing out 4-0 in a sweep, just two seasons ago. The year prior, Philly took one game from the Spurs. Last year, the Lakers knocked out the 76ers in a seven-game war, which prompted the Sixers to make a coaching change, before the Lakers were swept themselves in an unforgettable, experimental all-west Finals.

Spurs handle Wizards on the road, 116-109.

Andrew Wiggins scored 20 points, with 17 points, 7 rebounds & 8 assists (with 5 steals) by Russell Westbrook, but the pair couldn't pull off the home win. Jarrett Allen had 15 points & 8 rebounds. Rui Hachimura ahd 12 points. Brandon Ingram had 32 points, with 4 steals. Dejounte Murray was hot for 21 points & 6 assists. Marc Gasol got going for 11 points, 6 rebounds. Fred VanVleet hit for 9 points & 7 assists. Andre Drummond had 12 rebounds with 2 blocks & 8 points. San Antonio led 35-20 after the 1st Quarter, by as many as 19 points. It was a 35-21 swing in the 3rd that made things relatively interesting, but still decided.

Spurs put on defensive display against Mavericks, 94-81 on the road.

Luka Doncic managed 23 points & 6 assists, but shot just 9-22 on the night. Kristaps Porzingis shot 3-12, with 12 rebounds. In another strong night, Brandon Ingram scored 25 points on an 11-14 clip. Fred VanVleet hit a trio of three-balls for 13 points. Drummond hoisted down 16 boards. The Spurs led by as many as 25 points.

Ingram leads Spurs past Blazers, 117-129.

Ingram had 22 points, with 19 by Dejounte Murray. Andre Drummond kept up his hot streak, going for 19 points & 9 rebounds. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope had 18 points. For Portland, C.J. McCollum scored 27 with 7 assists. Damian Lillard had 22 points with 6 assists. Robert Covington & Carmelo Anthony combined for 27 points of their own. Jusuf Nurkic banged down low for 19 rebounds & 10 points.

Drummond notches trip-dub as Spurs crush Magic, 114-86.

The Spurs kicked things off in Florida with a 34-19 first quarter thrashing.

Mo Bamba had 14 points & 9 rebounds for Orlando, with DeMarr DeRozan's 12 points to pair with 12 by Johnathan Isaac. Aaron Gordon had 10 points, 9 rebounds. Point guard plight ensued for Markelle Fultz shot just 2-7, though, with Killian Hayes also going 1-7.

Drummond, meanwhile, cruised to 23 points, 22 rebounds & 11 assists, 3 steals & 5 blocks in a virtuoso display of what he brings to this Spurs championship team. Dejounte Murray's 18 points did the rest, with 17 coming from Ingram. Evan Fournier splashed in 16 points. Devon Vassell had 13 points as a rookie swing-man for the Spurs.

Spurs recuperate with road win over Minnesota, 119-112.

The Spurs came into Minnesota a wounded warrior, but struck hard first, winning the 1st Quarter 32-26. It still took a 3rd Quarter ten-point scoring blitz to fend off the Timberwolves, whose KAT had 30 points.

D'Angelo Russell scored 19 points, with Ricky Rubio's 11 assists & 16 points helping the home team effort. Anthony Edwards scored 12 points.

The high-man on the night, Brandon Ingram scored 35 points on a stellar 15-21 showing. He also had 3 steals. Dejounte Murray scored 18 points & 6 assists. Evan Fournier had 16 points, hitting four threes. Fred VanVleet had 13 points. Andre Drummond grabbed down 11 rebounds.

Tenacious Grizzlies steal one in San Antone, 116-114.

Memphis handed the champs their first home loss in thrilling fashion. The scoring went: 32-32, 23-25 (ME), 38-26 (SA) & 35-29 (ME). Brandon Ingram had 25 points. Dejounte Murray came very close to a triple-double (19 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists, 5 steals). Fred VanVleet had 16 points and had a look at the buzzer, but couldn't knock it down (4-5 3PT). Evan Fournier had 16 points. Andre Drummond had 14 points, 17 rebounds & 3 blocks. P.J. Tucker notched 12 points. It just wasn't enough, even with the Spurs shooting 45% from 3PT territory.

Trouble is, Memphis shot 47% from 3PT range and tore up the fast break, 26-12, narrowly won the interior 46-44, scorched the bench battle 45-24. The Grizzlies had 9 blocks as a team. The Spurs even won the rebounding war and had 11 steals, but the Grizzlies had 9 steals, leading by as much as 10 points to the Spurs eight-point spread at one moment in the game.

Dillon Brooks was the reason with 27 points, hitting 5 heart-crushing three-pointers and the fifth came late, putting the Spurs on the brink of defeat. Tyus Jones had 15 points, with Ja Morant struggling to score for just 12 points (5-12, 3 turnovers). Jarren Jackson, Jr., had 13 points. Justice Winslow had 12 points also. Jonas Valanciunas had 21 rebounds, a beast down low.

"They played one hell of a game," Coach Popovich spoke after the buzzer.

San Antonio tops Boston, 103-107.

The Spurs led by 19 at haltime after a 36-17 beatdown in the 2nd Quarter, but the Celtics stalemated the 3rd Quarter and pulled off a 38-23 point swing in the 4th to make a game of it once more, though not enough to get the upset.

Brandon Ingram had a somewhat off night, going for 15 points on 5-12 shooting. Fred VanVleet similarly struggled, going a rare 3-10 (1-6 3PT) for 7 points. Murray, Fournier, Drummond, KCP & Caruso, however, thankfully combined for 67 points to pick up the slack. 

In Boston's comeback effort, Kemba Walker had 23 points & 7 assists. Jayson Tatum scored 22 points & 7 rebounds. LaMarcus Aldridge had 14 points & 7 rebounds, with 20 points between Jaylen Brown & Marcus Smart. Tristan Thompson had 8 boards.

The highlight of the night came from a furious dunk by Murray past Tatum, which knocked him to the floor to the roar of the crowd at AT&T Center.

Spurs eviscerate Thunder, 63-105 in 42-point clobbering.

The Thunder shot 30% on the night, hitting just 4/26 attempts from 3PT range and only 25/83 overall. They also had 21 turnovers, with the Spurs excelling in the same categories for the huge blowout home win. Brandon Ingram had 22 points, 7 rebounds with Evan Fournier & KCP combining for 28 points. P.J. Tucker looked sharp with 12 points, nabbing two steals. For OKC, Jakob Poetl had 22 rebounds. All the guys suiting up for OKC tonight made about 1/3 of their shots, hence the devastating defeat.

Hawks wipe out Spurs, 109-125 at home.

Brandon Ingram gave a 31-PT effort, with 21 points & 14 rebounds by Andre Drummond, but the Atlanta Hawks had too much firepower to defend their home turf against the champs.

In the loss, Fred VanVleet had 14 points, and Dejounte Murray dished 11 assists, but the Spurs couldn't muster enough ingredients for a road victory. Atlanta won the 4th Quarter, 38-26 to ultimately pull away.

Rarely do the Spurs get out-shot from the perimeter, but Atlanta did it (56% vs 41%) courtesy of Bogdan Bogdanovic going 4-4 from long range for 16 points. John Collins showcased his stretch five talent with 3-4 from deep, finishing with 23 points & 12 rebounds. Danilo Gallinari had 15 points, with Trae Young scoring 23 points & 11 assists.

After premiere week, Spurs (6-1) best 2/3 rivals to stop conference standings.

Facing off against the upstart Kings, the Spurs won a competitive contest, seizing control more as the game went on, impressing the home crowd with their updated roster on the hardwood at AT&T Center.

Next, San Antone cruised past Russell Westbrook's Wizards with growing pains in store for fellow new addition, Andrew Wiggins, seeking to fill Bradley Beal's absence.

R.J. Barrett and Obi Toppin didn't stand a chance against the dynastic silver-and-black squad, losing badly to the champs. The Clippers would take their pound of flesh in an overtime thriller that featured a mini-duel between Ingram & Leonard, with the Slender-Man ripping the ball loose and nearly being the difference maker, were it not for Leonard's clutch mid-range prowess. P.J. Tucker got a corner 3PT chance at the buzzer, but it would not fall, as the Spurs ate their first defeat, 104-105, in Los Angeles. The clutch effort by Leonard outshone a posterizing dunk by Ingram past Rudy Gobert.

Two wins would follow, the first coming in another wild affair with the Golden State Warriors, with San Antonio winning 117-112 on the road. Steph Curry's heroics swiped the ball free with 55s left to play, taking the easy layup for a 112-111 advantage, but that would be Golden State's final basket. Dejounte Murray got a sturdy screen from Drummond and made the layup past DeAndre Jordan to retake the lead. Bradley Beal would get an open look at a 3PTer in the corner on the fast break, but misfired for his new team. Ingram nailed a turnaround jumper with 12s left. The Warriors called timeout, but Beal missed a second perimeter opportunity against tight defense.

The Lakers would showcase Klay Thompson's nuclear rapidity, trailing by 15 points and then unleashing the Klay, clawing all the way back to tie the game, forcing the Spurs to bring back the stars onto the court. Fred VanVleet nailed a 3PT dagger to end the awkward turn for the worst, as Coach Pop visibly reproached the bench for losing control of the lead. Klay would get a chance from deep, but stellar defensive pressure by Dejounte Murray did enough to make the ball go awry as Murray then buried two clutch free throws to finally ice the contest.

"Title--or bust!"-Lakers, Sixers & Warriors | Blockbuster trades kick-off 20-21!

One season removed from being dealt for Giannis Antetokounmpo, the other Splash Brother has finagled his way out of Wisconsin and back into the title picture, with no offense intended to sophomore center stud, James Wiseman, who looks to get even better as the biggest ticket in town with Klay gone. 

The Giannis Years are becoming a distant memory for Bucks fans, and if the fit isn't right, it just isn't right. Coach Budenholzer will stay on at the strategic helm, but the future is still cloudy in Milwaukee. "Klay was the best player available to us during what became a very taxing time for our organization. But now we also feel that this decision will get us on the right path again, and we wish Klay well." Thompson's brief tenure with the Bucks was hampered by injuries.

En route to Milwaukee in Klay Thompson's place is Mike Conley, Jr & Blake Griffin, with a bevy of other talents, courtesy of the Dwayne Casey-led Detroit Pistons, boasting point guard sensation, Cole Anthony, in grey, red & blue for the Motor City. "It was time to move on, start a new era in the Motor City and begin making our vision of what we want this team to be, a title-caliber organization like we used to be," Coach Casey spoke of the trade.

"He's the ultimate competitor," LeBron spoke warmly of his now-teammate and once-tenacious rival during the Cavaliers/Warriors wars of a time long gone by. Pairing Thompson's deadly marksmanship alongside Anthony Davis down low with the King balancing all that talent between the trio should prove to be a potent, powerful storm to shake the Western Conference to its foundation.

VP of Basketball Ops, Rob Pelinka, had this to say: "Just three seasons ago, we were one game away--heck, one loose ball, one rebound, one free throw--away from reaching the NBA Finals and thereby ending the Spurs dynasty. We owe them a tremendous deal of respect, but that was three seasons ago. We want our turn at the mountaintop, so we feel this trade was the formula to greatness. Klay is arguably the best shooter of his generation. With Klay, AD, and LeBron, I humbly speak for all of Lakers Nation when I say how very excited we are to shoot our shot. We want to do it for Kobe, for Gigi." Ex-Laker great, Shaquille O'Neal was speechless when he heard of the mammoth acquistion: "Klay, welcome home. But most importantly, all of Laker Nation--we've got to rally the troops and stop the Spurs this year. If we don't, they become the king. So here's looking at you, LeBron. You wanna be the G.O.A.T.? It's time to prove it. Chuck, I guarantee it: Spurs ain't making the Finals."

When it rains, it pours...and the Golden State Warriors have achieved a potential coup-de-grace of their own, acquiring Bradley Beal for Andrew Wiggins in a deal with the Washington Wizards. Beal's proficient 3PT stroke will do well to heal the wound of losing Klay Thompson in the "had to do it" trade for the Greek Freak, forming a formidable trio with the potential to upset the other western titans. Also in the west, the Clippers have given Paul George an extension and added Serge Ibaka down low, with the Spurs extending Brandon Ingram's services for the next three years on a max contract. The Utah Jazz have officially given the keys of Salt Lake City to Donovan Mitchell, swapping out Conley, Jr. for Jrue Holiday with the Bucks to take the SG spot as Mitchell takes the point guard reigns, fresh off a huge rookie scale extension. Down in Sacramento, the Kings have given De'Aaron Fox the same extension.

Out east, the Philadelphia 76ers have had a long offseason to let simmer the Game 7 defeat to the Lakers that kept them from a third straight Finals appearance. James Harden seems to be on a mission for revenge, with Ben Simmons signing a huge extension this summer to solidify his intent to win the big one for Philly. Up in Boston, Jayson Tatum has latched on for the distant future as well, his talents boosted by the acquisition of Tristan Thompson & LaMarcus Aldridge. Down south, the Miami Heat have locked up the services of Bam Adebayo to pair with a pugnacious Jimmy Butler. Some would argue the east is wide open, but still close to mind is the double overtime Finals instant classic by the 76ers & Spurs. More so than other year, with this much history and pride on the line, the league will be volatile as ever. Sprinkle on the exciting promise of LaMelo Ball, Anthony Edwards & Zion Williamson? That's why we love this game.

Spurs augment roster into a versatile leviathan, eyeing an 18th historic title.

With a 17th championship as a basketball organization in the NBA annuls, the Spurs have meditated over the summer with renewed spirit after a 12th consecutive title run victory and shrewdly structured a Larry O'Brien trophy-worthy squad. Ingeniously, Coach Pop & GM Buford selected Devin Vassell out of Florida State. He's a defensive-savvy, hustle-driven 19 year-old 6'7" SG/SF with a good head on his shoulders, a valiant work ethic and an eye for the ball. "I think I'll fit in great in San Antonio. The vets have been so welcoming toward me. I'm thrilled and truly blessed."

"It's just my way. I try to play with as much energy as possible on the court, to hopefully inspire that effort in my teammates so we can make things happen to get a win." The selection of Vassell fills a hole, as well, with Kent Bazemore not returning to the team and the Spurs having lacked a quality two-way backup wing player in recent years after ephemeral prosperity courtesy of Joe Harris & Bazemore, with Rudy Gay being a far-gone memory.

In the middle, Andre Drummond continues to be everything the Spurs were hoping for when they signed him to a max contract two seasons ago. From Jarrett Allen to Thomas Bryant to JaVale McGee post-trade deadline last year, the Spurs haven't quite found a backup center in the same vein of The Big Penguin. Until now, with Marc Gasol finally joining the Spurs after free agency and trade interest over the years by San Antonio. Gasol, albeit 35 years old, now becomes part of the Alamo City, just like his brother, Pau, long ago.

Next, the Spurs agreed to swap Euro prospects with the Brooklyn Nets. In exchange for a more developed Luka Samanic, coming to San Antonio is Rodions Kurucs, a 6'9 Latvian always-fire sharpshooter.

His three-ball is more proficient than that of Samanic, with the Nets receiving a better rebounder in Samanic who'll likely get more minutes than he would with the Spurs by backing up The Slim Reaper, Kevin Durant.

Both players have defensive deficiencies, but it seemed that Samanic had plateaued to a degree, trying to fill that SF/PF conundrum that the Spurs have solved by nabbing Kurucs & Vassell, as mentioned above. It also frees up the defensive stalwart, P.J. Tucker, to strictly play the wing position behind Evan Fournier at the 3.

Kurucs has a smooth deadeye from 3PT territory and athletic prowess around the rim, set to likely benefit from Dejounte Murray's stellar playmaking. For the Nets during the injury-plagued period after acquiring Kyrie Irving & Kevin Durant, Kurucs even saw time at the five spot, giving a fun task to the earnest Latvian.

Returning to the defending dynasty is Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, who was once acquired then traded away by the Spurs in years past, but dazzled in his return last season, quickly becoming a keeper in the front office's wise eye on a 2 year, 20 million deal using the full mid-level exception. KCP's defensive nature is what allured San Antonio originally and he makes a fine duo with Fred VanVleet, never allowing the other team to get comfortable.

Mike Muscala, the reserve stretch five, is also returning to the Spurs, whose shooting ability off the bench earned him favor with the fanbase, proving his worth when tasked with taller opposition that can be burdensome for VanVleet due to his occasional height disadvantage.

Lastly, the Spurs have decided to make a second reunion with Skal Labissiere. The tall, versatile mid-range threat, acquired from the Sacramento Kings years ago, saw plenty of promise in his first tenure with the Spurs. He got a nicer contract, deservedly so, but injuries cost him a role over the years since leaving Texas.

"I still love the kid. His heart is tremendous. We worked with him very well the first time around, but this league has a cyclical nature to it at times. We're happy to have him back and work with him some more. Hopefully the injury bug lost his return address, but that's part of this game we love," Coach Pop spoke highly of Labissiere, who is still just 24 years old with ample chance to excel under Popovich's tutelage.

His effort was never in doubt during the first run, on both ends. The 6'11" Haitian talent, and proud of it, can get you a block in a close game, hit a 3PTer on the fast break and smash down a dunk. He always had a smooth floater and hook shot in the paint, as well, with a reliable mid-range jumper that will stretch out the defense.

With the 76ers, Lakers (last season's runner-up) and Warriors gunning more fiercely than ever for San Antonio's crown, this will be a season to remember, with history on the line as the Spurs stand the chance to topple the Lakers and Celtics, respectively three-way tied with 17 championships as the most successful titans of basketball. Heroes of the hardwood, the Spurs are aiming to make the utmost history come June.