Are the Spurs a Sleeper Pick or Team to Beat In NBA Playoffs?

Tim Duncan congratulated by Kawhi Leonard (left).
Photo courtesy of mysanantonio.com

The San Antonio Spurs weren't in any talks at the beginning of the year of going to the NBA Finals. We talked about the Heat and Bulls in the Eastern conference and in the Western Conference we talked about Dallas, the Lakers, Oklahoma City and the new look Clippers with All-Star point guard Chris Paul. The Spurs are always a steady team and now they are the hottest team in the league, sweeping the first two rounds and riding an 18 game win-streak, dating their last lost back to April 11 when they lost to the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Spurs in the last couple of years have looked on the old side, playing mostly veterans, they were not able to keep up with the younger teams. During the off-season they acquired some younger players and have used almost everyone on the roster in their rotation. Everyone on their team is playing a role and they do not rely as heavily on their superstars like other teams. In the past, I liked to call the Spurs the most boring team to watch that produced wins. Now that they have gotten younger and Coach Gregg Popovich is utilizing his players to perfection, the Spurs are no longer looking like a boring, old team. But more like a team that will give the next team they play in the West Finals a run for their money.

It will be interesting to see what happens in the next couple weeks in the NBA playoffs. With the Spurs 2nd Round sweep, their veterans will be able to rest their legs and prepare to give the Oklahoma City Thunder or the Los Angeles Lakers all that they can handle to see who goes to the NBA Finals.