For the first time in 19 years, the San Antonio Spurs will go into the season without Tim Duncan.
The Spurs will experience a natural transition without no. 21 on the floor, but the competitive standard still remains. Effectively replacing Duncan is offseason acquisition Pau Gasol, who signed a two-year deal as a free agent this summer. Also new to the roster is David Lee, as Boris Diaw was traded to Utah and Boban Marjanovic signed with Detroit. Manu Ginobili re-signed with the team on a one-year deal.
Last season was statistically the best regular season in San Antonio Spurs history, winning a franchise-record 67 games, good for their best regular season winning percentage in franchise history. In the postseason they fell to the Oklahoma City Thunder in six games in the conference semifinals.
This season the Spurs will kick off against the Golden State Warriors, according to the official 2016-17 schedule. The meeting will take place inside Oracle Arena, the second game of the season. Last year, meetings between San Antonio and Golden State were highly anticipated, as many believed they were the league’s top two teams.
San Antonio will also play on Christmas Day, hosting Dwyane Wade and the Chicago Bulls.
Also included in the schedule is an 8-game road trip, lasting from early February until right after the All-Star break ends.
