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Way-too-early NBA Western Conference playoff predictions

By Blake Holmes

DENVER, CO - APRIL 7: Donatas Motiejunas #12 of the New Orleans Pelicans goes up for a lay up against Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets on April 7, 2017 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - APRIL 7: Donatas Motiejunas #12 of the New Orleans Pelicans goes up for a lay up against Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets on April 7, 2017 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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OAKLAND, CA – MAY 14: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the San Antonio Spurs dribbles the ball while guarded by Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – MAY 14: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the San Antonio Spurs dribbles the ball while guarded by Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) /

3. San Antonio Spurs

The Spurs have been around forever it seems like, and I don’t see them going away in a long time. With a healthy Kawhi Leonard returning to the floor and Manu Ginobili coming back for another season, it should be business as usual for the Spurs. Gregg Popovich will look to try to avenge a bitter ending as they were swept last season by Golden State.

San Antonio Spurs Starting Lineup:

PG: Tony Parker

SG: Danny Green

SF: Kawhi Leonard

PF: LaMarcus Aldridge

C: Pau Gasol (if he re-signs)

The seeds jump from offense-first teams to a defense-first team. San Antonio has their play-makers and Leonard’s elite scoring, but it’s the defense first mentality that has led to so much success. I mean, the Spurs partly beat the Rockets in the playoffs last year thanks to a clutch block by Manu on Harden.

Kawhi Leonard is a two-time Defensive Player of the Year and has blossomed into a superstar. They have a top-five player in the NBA in Kawhi and a good lineup overall. Plus, you really can’t count out coach Pop, ever.

Gregg Popovich may simply go down as the greatest coach of all time. If that’s the case, I think I feel confident putting them at the three.

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