They lost to the Clippers on a last second shot in game 7 in a series that was as close as any in recent memory, the same Clippers that were only 1 game from the WCF. My point is that despite what you say about them not seeming the same as previoys years, they were a hair away from the 2nd seed, as well as the WCF's, and now they have Aldridge on top of that.
The difference between the teams in the West is very small, and unless the Spurs regress even more I don't see how they aren't one of the favorites in the West now that they have another legit All-Star, especially since I like how they matchup with the Warriors better than anybody else in the West. Of course because those margins are so small they could lose in a tough 1st or 2nd round series like they did last year, but all things being equal, I like them over teams like Memphis, Houston and the Clippers.