October 31, 2012; New Orleans, LA, USA; San Antonio Spurs point guard Tony Parker (9) and head coach Gregg Popovich talk during the second half of a game against the New Orleans Hornets at the New Orleans Arena. The Spurs defeated the Hornets 99-95. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-US PRESSWIRE

Following their season opening 99-95 victory over the New Orleans Hornets, Tony Parker issued a statement that bears repeating: the Spurs are still a legitimate title contender.

Parker, who knocked down the go-ahead 3-pointer with 49.6 seconds remaining, believes the Spurs belong in the same sentence as the Miami Heat, Los Angeles Lakers and Oklahoma City Thunder, whose immediate title chances dipped slightly with the departure of James Harden.

This may come to some surprise to the general audience — in which terms like “internal improvement” and “continuity” are prevalent when describing the Spurs — but a run to the NBA Finals isn’t impossible, provided that San Antonio continues to score at a league-high rate while simultaneously playing competent defense.

“We are right at the top. I like our chances,” Parker said. “It just depends on who plays the best basketball at the right time and at the end of the season who is healthy and who is playing their best ball.”

The Spurs, having earned the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference in two consecutive seasons, know the importance of finishing strong in the postseason.

Mar 17, 2012; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks center Ian Mahinmi (28) pulls down the rebound in front of San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) during the third quarter at the American Airlines Center. The Mavericks defeated the Spurs 106-99. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-US PRESSWIRE

Kawhi Leonard entered the 2011 NBA Draft with an abundance of athletic ability and a work ethic germane to success at the highest level.

But pundits and scouts alike didn’t believe Leonard could convert from the perimeter with any constancy, a belief that was supported by his 25% mark from behind the arc in two collegiate seasons.

For the most part, Leonard erased that belief last season by shooting 38.8% on 121 spot-up 3-pointers and by excelling in the corner, an intricate part of the Spurs’ offense. When he wasn’t on the perimeter, Leonard refined his ability to play off his teammates in the form of cuts, offensive rebounds and in transition, where he scored 1.29 points per possession and shot 63.6%.

Once Leonard forged enough space in the paint, he was an elite scorer at the rim. His 68.8% shooting at the rim, per HoopData.com, belonged in the same class as elite small forwards like LeBron James and Kevin Durant.

Leonard fulfilled a menial role, considering the Spurs generally asked him to space the floor instead of relying on his athleticism to create shots, and one that didn’t showcase his entire repertoire. That being said, Leonard was still effective, and he did not waver, indicative of his ability to fufill almost any practical hole.

So it’s fair to ask given his impressive rookie season: How high is his ceiling? The general consensus is that he will likely become a fringe All-Star and solid contributor for any rotation. (A consensus I agree with.) Ethan Strauss believes Leonard could become an eventual All-Star, fitting with the tier of above-average forwards like Rudy Gay, Nicolas Batum and Danilo Gallinari.

    “While I certainly would not bet on superstardom for Leonard, I would not bet against an eventual All-Star     Game. After Kevin Durant, the small forward talent pool is shallow out West. It wouldn’t take a lot for Leonard     to stand out amid Rudy Gay, Nicolas Batum and Danilo Gallinari.

    “With his defense, rebounding and athleticism, don’t sleep on Kawhi Leonard becoming a star in three or four     years. He has the potential, and he’s with the kind of team that converts a man’s potential into man’s play.”

If there ever was a place where Leonard could be cultivated into an elite player, it would be San Antonio. In this sense, he is lucky.

And so are the Spurs.

Hat-tip to racm of Pounding the Rock.