The 2014-15 NBA season tips off on Tuesday, Oct. 28, with the defending NBA world champion San Antonio Spurs hosting the Dallas Mavericks at 8 p.m. EST on TNT.

So much attention has been placed on the new-look LeBron James-led Cleveland Cavaliers and the Miami Heat. But out west, the Spurs are trying to win their third consecutive Western Conference title. Since 1999, the Spurs have won five NBA Championships, tied for the most in the NBA with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Heading into this season, the Spurs have a lot of good things going for them and some of obstacles to overcome.

The Spurs didn't acquire huge free agent players like some other teams, but they also didn't lose anyone of high importance. Team captain and future Hall of Fame power forward Tim Duncan will be playing in his 18th season this year, all with the Spurs. Despite being 38 years old, Duncan led the entire team in minutes played last season with 2,158 minutes. Duncan is still a great forward who can grab about 10 rebounds and 15 points per game.

Argentine shooting guard Manu Ginobili will also be returning, for his 13th season with the Spurs. Ginobili is one of the best clutch shooters in the league, and he was one of the biggest reasons the Spurs won last postseason. Coming off the bench, Ginobili is a huge asset for the Spurs.

The second member for the Spurs "Big Three" is Tony Parker. Duncan is the locomotive, but Parker is the conductor. Parker is arguably the best point guard in the NBA with his dual threat scoring and passing abilities. Parker has the skills to take over games, and he's played with these teammates for years. Major adjustments aren't needed with this team.

One could definitely make the argument that the Spurs have the best "Big Three" in the NBA, even better than James, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love in Cleveland. Head coach Gregg Popovich knows he has to limit the veterans minutes because of age.

The Spurs don't just have talent and contributions from their best players, but their bench play is among the best in the league. Other players such as Patrick Mills and Danny Green have been sharp shooters from the perimeter. Italian shooting guard Marco Belinelli has also been fantastic. Last season, the Spurs made the highest percentage of 3-point shots of any team in the league.

Last season, Belinelli, Green and Mills were the leading three-point shooters for the Spurs, all making more than 125 shots from downtown.

And who could forget about Kawhi Leonard? He was after all the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player last season against the Heat. Leonard does a little bit of everything while playing elite defense. At 6-foot-7, Leonard is a tough defensive assignment for any offensive player. Another player who contributes to the Spurs' success is Brazilian center Tiago Splitter. Paired with Duncan, these two create an elite front court.

The biggest concern for the Spurs this season is the competition. Playing in the Western Conference with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Los Angeles Clippers, Mavericks and Memphis Grizzlies makes it very hard to come out on top.

Predictions

This Spurs team is back and ready to go.

They're a year older, but a year more experienced. Although Duncan, Parker and Ginobili are all at least 32 years old, the Spurs have terrific role players. In addition to that, they have the best coach in the NBA and possibly the most underrated center with Tiago Splitter. The Spurs should be able to hoist the Larry O'Brien Trophy once again.

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