San Antonio Spurs Present Immediate Challenge to Golden State Warriors' Throne

Until proven otherwise, the Golden State Warriors deserve to be called the NBA champions. But after the San Antonio Spurs completed a flurry of offseason moves, Gregg Popovich's team presents the greatest immediate challenge to the Warriors' throne.

San Antonio will flash a couple of new weapons in the ever-growing Western Conference arms race, most notably power forwards LaMarcus Aldridge and David West.

Aldridge left the Portland Trail Blazers in favor of the Spurs, signing a max contract and bolstering a perennial contender's roster. West chose the pursuit of a ring over money and accepted a veteran's minimum deal to join the Spurs.

Plus, the band is back together. Kawhi Leonard inked a maximum agreement in restricted free agency. Danny Green, Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili each returned on team-friendly deals, and Tony Parker, Boris Diaw and Patty Mills were under contract anyway.

Perhaps that's enough evidence to suggest San Antonio can again compete with Golden State for the Western Conference crown, but it wouldn't be a startling revelation. After all, the Spurs boast a 6-1 record against the Warriors since the 2013-14 campaign began.

However, Golden State unveiled an ace up its sleeve last season, one that helped change the course of the 2015 NBA Finals. San Antonio is now prepared to counter the trick.

Entering Game 4 of the Finals, the Warriors trailed 2-1 in the series. Steve Kerr inserted Andre Iguodala into the starting lineup and essentially benched center Andrew Bogut. Partially thanks to that adjustment, Golden State ripped off three consecutive victories and earned the league title over the Cleveland Cavaliers in six games.

The small-ball unit was so effective because containing Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green while stopping Harrison Barnes and Iguodala on both ends of the floor is tremendously difficult.

Opponents must possess a forward physical enough to create a mismatch in the post and quick enough to defend the perimeter, two players capable of guarding Curry and Thompson and a No. 4 scoring option to overcome the defensive abilities of Thompson, Green and Iguodala.

Sue Ogrocki/Associated Press

Yeah, that's all.

According to NBA.com, the Warriors' lineup of one point guard, two shooting guards and two small forwards posted a 113.6 offensive rating and 91.9 defensive clip last season.

That group was tremendously successful, absolutely. But it wasn't unstoppable.

Grant Cohn of the Press Democrat pointed out Green's struggles against Zach Randolph of the Memphis Grizzlies during the first five games of the second round of the playoffs:

"

As good as [Green] is at defending, we've seen him struggle against tall power forwards who can shoot. Who can shoot over him. Guys like Aldridge (6'11") and West (6'9").

Randolph shot 53 percent in those games. Green couldn’t get his hand up far enough to contest Randolph’s jump shot or his baby hook in the post. The Warriors had no answer for Randolph.

"

Neither Aldridge nor West is a terrific defender, but both can handle Green up front. Plus, Diaw could receive the minutes at the 4 opposite Barnes. Diaw can post up the small forward, roam the perimeter, rebound, play solid defense and find passing lanes from anywhere.

There aren't many perimeter duos capable of limiting Thompson and Curry throughout a seven-game series, but Danny Green and Leonard—the 2014-15 Defensive Player of the Year—are one.

Green and Thompson are arguably the best three-and-D weapons in the league, and each one could light up the other on a given night. Without a doubt, Thompson holds the upper hand, but Green would be welcomed by any NBA team as a top option to defend Klay.

Curry is ready to catch fire at any moment. The 2014-15 league MVP hoisted the trophy for a reason. However, Leonard's seven-steal performance against the Dubs in early April wasn't a fluke, either.

San Antonio certainly didn't neutralize Golden State as a threat simply by signing Aldridge and West, but minimizing the potential of a championship-changing lineup tweak is invaluable.

The Spurs roster is better built to overcome Kerr's craftiness, as long as Tony Parker shakes a late-season slump. If Golden State can hide Curry on Parker and send Iguodala on Leonard or Green, San Antonio could be in trouble.

Regardless, when the last two NBA champions meet, the unique lineup would run into a road block the Spurs never previously had.

Instead, both teams will likely turn to a defensive anchor at center, a dangerous power forward, a terrific perimeter defender and a three-point specialist. The Warriors will boast the MVP, and San Antonio will showcase the Defensive Player of the Year.

The Cavaliers, Oklahoma City Thunder and Houston Rockets are poised to be great, but after the Spurs improved their rotation this offseason, San Antonio appears best prepared to challenge and ultimately dethrone Golden State.

Follow Bleacher Report NBA writer David Kenyon on Twitter: @Kenyon19_BR.