San Antonio enters the season with expectations to return to the Finals after losing to the Knicks.
The Spurs' surprise run to the Finals has raised expectations heading into the new season, but the team knows that returning to the championship round will be far more difficult than the first trip.
San Antonio's rise caught many observers off guard, and opponents now have a clear blueprint for how to challenge the club. Maintaining that level of play over a full season, with the grind of the regular season and playoffs ahead, will test the roster's depth and consistency.
For the Spurs, the goal is clear: return to the Finals and go one step further. The organization understands that the path is steeper this time around, and the margin for error is smaller.
Source: ESPN NBA · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing