NBA gets back to business following tumultuous off season as game one approaches
LeBron James' is gunning for glory with Cavaliers, while Spurs eye succesful title defence as plenty of records are up for grabs
As the San Antonio Spurs face the possible end of an era, they attempt to repeat as NBA champions after a turbulent off season topped by LeBron James returning to Cleveland.
Racism issues forced two team ownership changes, injuries hit stars Kevin Durant and Paul George and the league signed a nine-year television deal worth US$24 billion that begins in 2016 in the four months since the Spurs won their fifth crown by beating Miami in the NBA Finals.
I understand what it takes to win a championship. I understand winning a championship is the hardest thing you could ever do
For all the Spurs have done over the past 16 seasons under coach Gregg Popovich, defending a crown has not been achieved, San Antonio's championships coming in 1999, 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2014.
Spurs star big man Tim Duncan, who played on all five title teams, is in the final year of his contract and will turn 39 during the next NBA playoffs.
The three-time NBA Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP) and two-time NBA MVP could be in his final season, as might Argentine star guard Manu Ginobili, who missed this year's World Cup with a leg stress fracture.
But the Spurs are largely unchanged from last year, with French star guard and scoring leader Tony Parker signing a contract extension in the off season, countryman Boris Diaw back in a set-up role and 2014 NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard returning with higher expectations.
