The End of a Good Run

How do you build a champion? Ever since Red Auerbach’s Celtics, GMs and coaches who followed have had their ideas and theories. It sounds simple. You find a coach, get a star, and build around him with other quality teammates and role players. The San Antonio Spurs began using this formula in 1997 when Gregg Popovich took over for head coach Bob Hill, who was fired after a 3-15 start. With star center David Robinson hurt for most of the season, Popovich did a little better than Hill going 17-47 for an NBA season worst of 20-62. The bright side was that the lottery ensured them the 1^st overall pick in the draft, and as fate would have it, a 6’11” power forward/center out of Wake Forest University originally from the Virgin Islands was the pick.

Tim Duncan, who was the last number one overall pick that played 4 years in college (what a concept), joined “The Admiral” David Robinson and a collection of veterans and began contending right away. In just his 2^nd year, Duncan would lead the Spurs through the strike-shortened season all the way to the Finals, where they topped the Knicks in five games to earn the franchise’s first NBA crown. The Spurs would go on to win three more titles in 2003, 2005, and 2007, four in a 9 year stretch. Dynasty? Well not exactly. Sure, the Spurs over that stretch were among the class of the league. Duncan won 2 MVPs and sent David Robinson off into the sunset with 2 rings, the 2^nd coming in 2003, his final season. Other stars would aid Duncan in their run. Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili turned out to be steals in their respected drafts and go on to play in numerous all star games. Along the way, the Spurs have had very reliable role players, veterans who knew their place and supported the stars in many ways. Avery Johnson, Sean Elliot, Malik Rose, Steve Kerr, Bruce Bowen, Robert Horry, Brent Barry and many others made big plays when called upon and didn’t need the spotlight. In fact, none of the Spurs’ stars needed the attention. Duncan, Parker, and Ginobili have all led their team in scoring for at least one season. Duncan and Parker have each won NBA Finals MVPs. Even Gregg Popovich, it seems, would rather sit back and just let his team play. So as you can see, the Spurs have had a great nucleus, a great balance and great success. But here is why they wouldn’t be considered a dynasty:

1.       Let’s look at some of the great dynasties in sports, just rambling them off here in no particular order: 1960’s Celtics, 1960’s Packers, 1970’s Steelers, 1970’s A’s, 1980’s Lakers,  1980’s Edmonton Oilers, 1980’s 49ers, 1990’s Bulls and take your pick with the Canadiens and the Yankees, they each had multiple dynasties throughout the decades. All of those teams have at least a couple of things in common including multiple Hall of Famers and legendary coaches for starters. While the Spurs will have 2 Hall of Famers, they did not have a legendary coach, especially not a coach who rivals names like Auerbach, Lombardi, Noll, Walsh, Phil Jackson and others.

2.       Those dynasties also had a transcending style of play, giving each team some sort of special identity. For example, the 60’s Packers have the Vince Lombardi trophy and the legendary Packer sweep. The Steelers have the Steel Curtain. There are also The Showtime Lakers and Murderer’s Row, just to name a few more. The Spurs have the fundamentals and a knack for playing solid team defense but nothing that stands out.

3.       All of those teams were able to repeat. The Spurs could not. What’s that old saying? Winning the first is hard but staying on top is harder. And what’s more, they couldn’t even get to consecutive Finals. They were not able to sustain greatness many years in a row.

4.       Here’s the big one: in the same decade when the Spurs would be considered a dynasty, the Lakers have overpowered them and have staked claim as the recent/current dynasty. Tim Duncan, under Gregg Popovich, has won 4 rings. Kobe Bryant, under Phil Jackson, has won 5. Spurs’ fans are probably saying right about now, “The Lakers missed the playoffs in ’05, they had 2 years straight of getting knocked out in the 1^st round.” Here’s how common sense combats that. While the Spurs shut down the Forum in 1999 and eliminated the Lakers again in 2003, L.A. has eliminated the Spurs in the 2001, 2002, 2004 and 2008 playoffs. To summarize, the Lakers, in the same timeframe, have more rings, more Finals appearances, and also have the edge head-to-head in the playoffs

Fast forward 30 years from now. We’re going to look back on the great teams in sports and when we come to the Spurs, what will we say? Let’s try this, “The front office did a fantastic job with draft steals and free agent acquisitions for a mid-sized market. Tim Duncan was among the best players of his era and arguably the greatest power forward in history. Manu Ginobili was so exciting to watch. Robert Horry and Steve Kerr got it done wherever they were. David Robinson had his moments of greatness but was not quite Shaq or Olajuwon. Gregg Popovich came from where? Pomona Pitzer? Tony Parker was very versatile, just ask Brent Barry’s wife, ouch!!!! Ok, so throw out that last jab. But other than Duncan, nothing there says “among the best of all time.” Nothing there says legendary. Nothing there says truly memorable. Nothing there says dynasty.