What to expect from the Spurs’ first 10 games
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Tonight ushers in a brand new season for the San Antonio Spurs and optimism is still aplenty for the plethora of faithful fans who hope to see their favorite franchise regain its once-glorious form and rejoin the playoff picture after a disappointing year.
In addition to the uncertainty surrounding lineups and rotations, San Antonio must cope with the complications that are sure to come with playing a shortened schedule outside of a bubble amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Derrick White remains out indefinitely as he recovers from offseason toe surgery, and head coach Gregg Popovich must figure out how to integrate an aging LaMarcus Aldridge into a fast-paced formula that found success during the NBA restart.
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The 2020-21 season s start date spells a short turnaround for every team that competed in the bubble, but it also means the eight clubs that didn t head to Orlando will finally compete again after a nine-month layoff.
Here s a status check on what those eight franchises have been up to.
Atlanta Hawks Jayne Kamin-Oncea / Getty Images Sport / Getty
Trae Young s electric sophomore year cemented him as the Hawks franchise star, so the team set out to surround him with complementary backcourt pieces such as Rajon Rondo and Kris Dunn. Bogdan Bogdanovic and Danilo Gallinari are both 3-point threats who should also provide extra playmaking and size, respectively. Drafting former USC star big man Onyeka Okongwu gives the club another two-way frontcourt talent alongside John Collins and Clint Capela.
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The NBA s head coaching carousel was in full swing this offseason.
Nine teams enter the upcoming campaign with a new bench boss, as a handful of rookies and familiar names were hired to fill an abundance of vacancies.
There likely won t be as many job openings next summer, but a few head coaches are feeling the heat ahead of the league s Dec. 22 return.
Here are five head coaches that could be in jeopardy depending on how their 2020-21 season shakes out:
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The Minnesota Timberwolves are feeling the pressure to keep Karl-Anthony Towns happy. While the former No. 1 overall pick remains under contract through 2023-24, he was reportedly unhappy with the club just a year ago. Since then, Minnesota acquired All-Star guard D Angelo Russell - who happens to be one of Towns best friends.