Finally, the 700th time we counted the Spurs out was proving to be the charm. The Spurs weren't bad, but they were 21-15 in early January and just 34-23 at the end of February. The Rodeo trip that usually kicks them into gear didn't do the trick. They looked old and slow, as if the many deep playoff runs had finally worn them down.
Turns out they were just biding their time to cheat aging again. Led by emerging star Kawhi Leonard, the Spurs took off down the stretch, winning 11 of their last 12 games. The closing stretch included double-digit wins over Golden State, Atlanta, Chicago, Memphis, Dallas, Oklahoma City and Houston. The Warriors and Hawks victories were especially scary because the Spurs completely dominated the two best teams in the league when they were at full strength.
So much for counting the Spurs out. With Leonard ruining opponents' fun, Tim Duncan playing as well as ever just before his 39th birthday and a supporting cast that's finally healthy, San Antonio is a legitimate threat to make yet another Finals run, even though a season-ending loss to the Pelicans caused them to slip to the No. 6 seed and face the equally-hot Clippers.
Depending on who you ask, the Spurs may even be the favorite, even with Golden State's superlative regular season. The Spurs did beat the Warriors twice when Golden State was at full strength, after all.
