4 Reasons the San Antonio Spurs Should Be Favored to Defend Their Title

You'd think we'd have learned by now.

After struggling through the opening half of the season and briefly following the All-Star break, the San Antonio Spurs were dead. But a couple of weeks later, Gregg Popovich's crew is basically back on track.

The defending champions have won seven of their last eight games, only losing in overtime to the Cleveland Cavaliers. More importantly for San Antonio, it has played like the dominant squad that was expected and risen to sixth place in the Western Conference.

And as long as the Spurs continue performing at their recent level, San Antonio boasts a handful of reasons why it'll be a favorite to earn a second consecutive NBA title—something the franchise has never accomplished.

Never, Ever, Count out Gregg Popovich

Paul Sancya/Associated Press

Popovich adapted to a short-handed roster and kept the Spurs in playoff position, even without Tony Parker, Kawhi Leonard, Tiago Splitter and Patty Mills for sizable portions of the season.

Then, while San Antonio struggled at full strength, Pop never panicked, simply waiting for his star players to return to their previous form. As fans and media alike signaled the potential end of the Spurs' run, the franchise made no major changes.

Lo and behold, San Antonio has rebounded.

"...it took us a while to get a rhythm once people did come back, get their energy back," Popovich said, per Paul Garcia of Project Spurs. "I think now we're playing better than we have all year. We're still not a championship level, but we’re playing better than we have."

With just under one month remaining in the regular season, the team sits a mere three games behind the Portland Trail Blazers for the Western Conference's No. 3 seed.

To encounter all of the setbacks 2014-15 has thrown at San Antonio yet still be capable of continuing that absurd stretch isn't solely a reflection on the players. The 19-year coach deserves a ton of credit for guiding San Antonio to its current standing.

Never count out Popovich. You'd think we'd have learned by now.

Tony Parker Looks Like Himself Again

The debate between analytics and the "eye test" has intensified, but Parker's recent performance shows why both are legitimate measures.

Through February, the veteran point guard looked uncomfortable and definitely wasn't the aggressive Parker that was so evident last postseason. A hamstring injury was the main cause of his atypical performance.

According to NBA.com, San Antonio had managed a respectable—but un-Spurs-like—103.5 offensive rating and 36-23 record during that time.

As noted by Mike Monroe of the San Antonio Express-News, Parker wasn't comfortable for a while but has recently overcome the mental side of his return, which has resulted in improved effectiveness.

"

I feel like I'm getting back to where I was last year. I'm getting back to that All-Star form, and getting to the basket. That creates shots for me and for my teammates. ... When I'm aggressive, that's when we're at our best. That's when everybody is talking about the beautiful Spurs on offense.

"

During March, the injury has become nothing more than a distant memory for Parker, who has racked up 23.3 points on 59.4 percent shooting and 5.8 assists in six outings. As a result, San Antonio has accrued a league-high 119.3 offensive rating, per NBA.com.

If Parker can sustain this elite level of play, the Spurs will absolutely be a leading challenger for the NBA crown.

Kawhi Leonard's Progression

Parker drives the offense, but Leonard carries the defense. Without him, the Spurs would be lost. With Leonard, they're a title contender.

The small forward has continued to utilize his length to disrupt players at each guard and forward position. Even after winning the 2014 Finals MVP, he remains a slightly overlooked player.

Leonard has tallied the league's fourth-best defensive rating, per Basketball-Reference.com, and boasts a plus-8.5 on-off rating. His 2.2 steals per appearance is tied with Stephen Curry atop the NBA.

Few defenders are skilled enough to contain LeBron James during a seven-game series, but Leonard can, and he has accomplished just that—twice.

"He's very good," James said, according to Jeff McDonald of the Express-News. "His arms, his hands make him very good on the ball. He's one of the good ones we have in this league, for sure."

Throw in Leonard's team-leading 15.8 points per game, and he's the young, versatile talent San Antonio needs in order to earn another ring.

While veterans like Tim Duncan saved the defense during the 23-year-old's early absence due to a hand injury and can help propel the Spurs into the championship round, Leonard is the key to sealing the deal.

San Antonio Knows What It Takes

This final point is contingent on one major detail: health.

Manu Ginobili sustained a sprained ankle March 15 against the Minnesota Timberwolves, and Monroe writes Popovich said the injury will sideline the sixth man for seven to 10 days.

But if San Antonio has everyone available for the postseason, experience will benefit the squad.

"Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker: They've been around the block a few times," Bleacher Report's Howard Beck said in the accompanying video. "They know how to win at home and on the road. I don't think there's anybody in the West, that when the Spurs are healthy and fully in rhythm, that they can't beat wherever those games may be."

The Golden State Warriors are the team to beat. The Memphis Grizzlies, Blazers, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers and Dallas Mavericks will be dangerous clubs.

If the Oklahoma City Thunder can slide in, eliminating Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant simply because OKC is a No. 8 seed would be foolish. Plus, Anthony Davis and the New Orleans Pelicans won't an easy out, either.

However, San Antonio has appeared in two straight NBA Finals, and of the seven other teams, only the Mavs and Thunder have made it to the championship round. The Spurs know what it takes to battle through four tough postseason series.

Experience is not a perfect indicator of playoff success. But in a conference loaded with talented—yet unproven—rosters, it sure doesn't hurt.

Unless otherwise noted, stats are courtesy of Basketball-Reference and are accurate as of March 17.

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