No one knew what to expect from the Spurs’ new frontcourt coming into this season. At the center of it was Pau Gasol signing as Tim Duncan retired, but there were also concerns with the exits of Boris Diaw and David West, two bigs who each filled out important roles on the bench.
Of the two losses, Diaw’s was the one that hurt the most sentimentally. His signing in 2012, following a release from the lowly Bobcats, coincided with the rise of the Beautiful Game Era, as he endeared himself to Spurs fans with his personality and heady, unselfish play.