Spurs open season with glorious ring ceremony, en route to three victories.

The San Antonio faithful were in jovial spirits as a familiar, still proud ring ceremony with an appearance by historic Coach Popovich embracing Coach Vogel, as last season's title-winning roster all gathered as one, with Commissioner Silver presenting every great player with their diamond rings. In the background, new members of the silver-and-black saw what winning and dominance looked like. "It was quite inspiring, honestly" Jalen Green said through a grin, sitting next to John Collins, Devin Vassell, Kelly Oubre, Jr, Jose Alvarado & Brook Lopez.

Soon after, it was a comfortable win over the Houston Rockets as ex-Spur, Fred VanVleet, as per usual, went off against San Antone, leading the Rockets in scoring with rookie, Reed Sheppard alongside him, along with Houston's athletic youth movement. Dejounte Murray closed in on a triple-double, as the Spurs new-blood defensive talent made a phalanx against Houston.

The OKC Thunder, with new pieces of their own, including ex-Spur, Alex Caruso, came hard next game, but fell short just the same. Jalen Green heard his first M-V-P chants during clutch free throws, a bit premature but welcoming by the Spurs faithful all the same. "He's got fire inside him," Dejounte Murray spoke highly of Green, who impressed the veterans on the team by arranging and hosting a players-only mini training camp before the season opener. "He reminds me of myself when I was younger. Looking forward to helping see him grow here with the rest of our team."

Speaking of growing, Victor Wembanyama nearly redeemed a bad shooting night next game by hitting back-to-back clutch 3PTers and blocking John Collins late as the Hornets seized control at home in a strong game by LaMelo Ball and Mark Williams. It was a fierce contest by the final buzzer, highlighted by ferocious rebounding from the Spurs and defensive moments, a block on Wembanyama by both Dillon Brooks & John Collins, with Kelly Oubre, Jr, blocking a desperation heave in the corner by Charlotte with just .8s left on the clock. This happened after Collins redeemed himself on a beastly dunk past "Wemby", a clutch 3PTer by Jalen Green & a near-4PT play by Kelly Oubre, Jr.

The highest praise is due for Dejounte Murray, who had some fierce dunks over the Hornets defense throughout the game, as did Jalen Green, but nothing beat the coast-to-coast driving highlight dunk over Mark Williams, which sent the crowd into a collective roar and the Spurs bench airborne. Murray was mauled as the Hornets called timeout, something the Spurs didn't have before Dejounte took his full court journey. On the inbound, Murray saw Jalen Green streaking down-court, but took it upon himself to lead his team back into control of the hard-fought game. "They had our backs against the wall. But hey, I gotta be the leader, for better or worse, and when it pays off, it's such a great feeling. Plus, Jalen had a sick dunk earlier and I had to show I still got it, too. In all seriousness, we're just 3 games in, and what I'm already seeing from our new guys is off the chain. We are becoming a force out there," Murray told Allie LaForce as they watched his game-winning drive on the jumbotron. "I'm just trying to do what I can to bring the best out of our guys, who are the future of this game we love." Next up? Western Conference Runner-Up, Dallas Mavericks.

"Dejounte is our proven leader and loves to help others rise to new heights."-Coach Vogel

"Pop, I'll take care of 'em."-Dejounte Murray, on leading the new talent in San Antonio.

Dejounte Murray is here to stay, the lone relic from the dynasty with the hall-of-fame trio of Duncan, Parker & Ginobili. With one league MVP on his shelf, "DJ" is looking to earn another one, much like Brandon Ingram did last season, winning it back-to-back, a feat not accomplished by a Spur since Tim Duncan. Some sneak out the back during the rise and celebratory moments rather than stick around for the "fall", so to speak, but rather a change and transition period without Coach Popovich at the helm. Murray tries to not listen to the trade rumors and gossip around the league, especially once Ingram won MVP and then did it again. "After drafting Stephon Castle, will the Spurs move on from Dejounte?" Coach Vogel quickly silenced any notion of that happening, but also sadly broke the news to Murray about his partner in these championship runs, Ingram, who was the parting gift receipt for Kawhi Leonard's services once upon a time, and how "B.I" would now no longer wear #14 for the silver-and-black squadron this next season.

"They believe in me, know how I've proven myself over the years as a floor general, a locker room leader and teammate," Murray told the press. "Pop was like a father to me, and it hurt like hell to see him go, but he's earned that, you know what I'm saying? I can't ask him to coach forever, and he's already given me teachings and made an impact on my life in so many beautiful ways that are forever. When it comes to BI, he proved the same. He showed the basketball world what he can do, won back-to-back MVPs, MIP, career highs in points, game-winners. You name it, BI did it, ya know? I can't fault him for wanting to peace-out on top. It can be hard to stay hungry when you're up. For me, the Spurs have done a lot to keep me engaged. Brandon's my road dog, always, but I'mma see him on the other side," Murray said sincerely with a competitor's smile. "I wish him all the best. I'll always have love for him. There was never any beef. I know y'all got jobs to do, but let's move on. Good luck, BI. I hope I can carry on what we made here in San Antone, ya know? Help these young guys establish themselves. Like I said, Coach Vogel, Pop, everybody--they're trusting me to steer this ship forward into bigger and brighter things for our team and our city. Let's get after it!"

The two-time, consecutive MVP, Brandon Ingram, joins the Toronto Raptors. When asked why he left a world-class, dynastic juggernaut championship team like the Spurs, the answer was plain: I want to wake up every day and love what I do. If we win, I know that stuff comes with me being the best that I can be. I want to keep pulling people together, make stuff happen. When you're on top, sure, it's amazing. But I kept asking myself: what more can I do here [with the Spurs]? The Lord always delivers us to where we're needed. I look forward to this chance to grow and thrive."

"With us, we believe Kelly Oubre will become a superstar."-Coach Vogel

Strong words came from Coach Vogel as the 6'7" Kelly Oubre, Jr stood beside him, holding up his new #3San Antonio Spurs jersey with a smile on his face, Oubre's 7'3" wingspan as apparent as the fabric's signature silver-and-black color scheme. Acquired in a deal with arch rival, Philadelphia 76ers, Oubre had been reportedly long sought after by both the Spurs front office and its players in years past for his slashing prowess, athletic ability, high-pressure shooting success and defensive motor. In both regular season meetings against Philly, Oubre's late-game heroics were eye-catching, later culminating in a solid showing in The Finals, despite a 4-1 defeat to the Spurs. Most notably in the rumor mill was Kelly Oubre's own inner circle vocalizing a desire to harness his game in San Antonio and untapped potential, now reaching his prime in his age 28 season. No talent in this league can be had without a fair exchange, so with much chagrin the Spurs had to part with the king of the glass, Andre Drummond, seeking a backup role in Philadelphia of all places behind Joel Embiid as his career enters its second half. "I went against Joel for so many years, and I've seen the load he has to carry in Philly. I want to do my part to make sure he can be his best when it matters most," Drummond spoke, noting Embiid's untimely relationship with the injury bug come playoff time over the years. "With Pop gone, it felt like it was time. Winning my 4th Defensive Player (of the Year) award and another championship on top of it? What else can I show the world, ya know? Someone's gotta do the dirty work, and I'm willing to take a step back to prove that I can make that positive impact. After seeing them in the Finals all these years, I'm in the mood for a Philly cheesesteak." The Spurs thank Andre for playing his heart out every night and wish him the absolute best.

Drummond's contributions on the glass and with interior defense will be impossible to replace, but in a separate move the Spurs have gained the respectively exemplary defensive talents of veteran big man, Brook Lopez, from their other rival the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for Gary Trent, Jr, being an equal swap financially, as Kelly Olynyk joins Milwaukee and Pat Connaughton joins the Philadelphia 76ers as part of the Kelly Oubre, Jr acquisition. Milwaukee gains a savvy shooter with defensive potential and a satisfactory big man in Olynyk. Lopez, despite being 36 years old, has put together a fierce presence of a career inside with career averages of 16.1pts, 6.2rbs and 2.4blk, including a fierce highlight block on Devin Booker that sent the Phoenix star to the hardwood on his back. While Lopez isn't the rebounder that Drummond was for the Spurs, he isn't coming alone. The new regulations of the latest salary cap caused the Spurs to maneuver a bevy of finance-savvy into action this summer, shredding salary and dishing draft picks to and fro, but also doing quid-pro-quo'ing relations with other teams looking to do the same. The result is John Collins finally joining the Spurs after being in the discussion for two seasons. Collins is still just 26 years old, not far removed from averaging 1.6 blocks a game, and boasting 8 rebounds per game with a 3PT touch, excelling in pick-and-roll schemes for highlight dunks, in a deal that sent 2x League MVP, Brandon Ingram, to the New Orleans Pelicans.

On that note, the Spurs weren't finished investing in young talent as the Houston Rockets parted with high-flying prospect, Jalen Green, for 5 draft picks, giving Green a rookie scale max extension. Even with Coach Pop no longer at the coaching helm, Green will have access to a world-class training staff and will have arguably the best opportunity to become what Houston had hoped he'd be, as New Orleans gets a new starting PG in Spurs lottery pick, Stephon Castle who should seamlessly fit into with his gritty defense. Green, despite past critics, has improved on D, and his scoring prowess has become elite, along with the 6'4 shooter's perimeter game and work ethic.

In exchange for Ingram, the Spurs received a 1st round pick and Jose Alvarado. With a separate move, the Spurs acquired Devin Vassell, a two-way 3&D prospect from the Pacers. Still just 24 years old, Vassell's future holds much promise so San Antonio insisted on a rookie scale max extension for the standout hybrid wing, who brings a wild card of scoring and sturdy perimeter resistance. To usher in the new silver-and-black squad member, Dillon Brooks will move over to the PF position and wear #8 with Jordan Clarkson switching to #0, to acclimate Vassell as #24.

On the minimum salary acquisition front, the Spurs are taking fliers on veterans, Markelle Fultz & Montrez Harrell. All of these moves shed a considerable amount of salary, renew a defensive identity, and establish the San Antonio Spurs for the next decade in a contentious league that only keeps getting faster, perimeter-centric and even more athletic.

Prologue: After winning a 17th consecutive NBA Title, Coach Pop's exit is the end of an eon.

"Good luck."-Popovich to new Spurs head coach, Frank Vogel

"Era" wouldn't quite be fitting enough to describe the tenure of Coach Popovich, who is "going to get some rest" after 27 years at the strategic helm, a historic Hall of Fame career that saw him overcome the odds and win countless championships not only with the once superstar trio of Duncan, Parker & Ginobili, but also David Robinson and Kawhi Leonard, and lastly with the newest trio of Ingram, Murray & Drummond. It's been long overdue, but so many careers have blossomed from Coach Pop's tutelage, not only on the hardwood either. That being said, all good things must end.

"Good luck," Pop joked to new San Antonio Spurs head coach, Frank Vogel, at the celebratory/introductory press conference for the new silver-and-black, defense-first steward, going to praise Vogel's accomplishments in the league and acknowledging his ability to connect with players, having coached superstar personalities in the past with the Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Lakers & Phoenix Suns. "I know you'll do great," Popovich said as the crowd applauded.

"I'm very excited to work with our talent and spark the best out of their abilities, to join a world-class basketball organization such as the Spurs, and I cannot wait for training camp," Vogel said, honored beyond words could illustrate for the opportunity to carry on the torch of Coach Popovich. When asked about his involvement with player personnel, seeing as Popovich had the final say in years past on roster changes, Frank pointed to a group effort in making those decisions as free agency looms, modestly not seeking too much of a strong-armed approach.

Despite Vogel's wholesome intent, the exit of Coach Pop along with a new strain by the latest NBA Salary Cap has sent a ripple effect onto the roster, though players have mostly stayed silent as the Spurs are known for the utmost professionalism.