Is their rebuilt team, with its new coach and younger players, the legitimate contender it seems to be?

"Whether or not I'm a legitimate contender, it doesn't appear to be at this stage."

The earnings rule has never cost a legitimate contender a spot in the race, but that could happen for the first time this year.

Last September, they won just one game against a legitimate contender.

No legitimate contender this season, they are in last place.

It was easier because the 49ers were a legitimate contender.

If we're going to be one of those teams, a real legitimate contender, you've got to do everything right.

Maybe they need to create a legitimate contender or enemy where there is none.

So far this season, the Spurs have looked like legitimate contenders.

We have to do the little things to become legitimate contenders.