Some Respect for the San Antonio Spurs? Part 2

By Keith Antigiovanni

The San Antonio Spurs' 107-101 victory over the Golden State Warriors clinched the 13th consecutive season of at least 50 wins in the regular season which dates back to the 1999-2000. The streak would be even longer if not for the 1998-1999 lockout that wiped out 32 games. That year the Spurs went 37-13 en route to their first NBA title in a 4-0 sweep over the New York Knicks.

The 1999 NBA title was not only the first championship for San Antonio but the beginning of what has become one of the greatest dynasties in professional sports. After their NBA championship/abbreviated season in 1999 many of the experts and NBA fans felt the Spurs were a fluke and their title deserved an asterisk but they continued to win in the 21st century.

Between the 2000-2001 and 2009/2010 seasons the Spurs posted the best regular season record in the NBA at 573-247, 10 straight years in the playoffs, 7 division titles, 5 Western Conference Finals, 3 Western Conference titles and 3 more NBA championships (2003, 2005, 2007).

The second championship was a six game series victory over the New Jersey Nets in 2003. The title-run was bittersweet since David Robinson announced his retirement during the season but Robinson went out a winner. The Spurs continued to add great players between the 1999 and 2003 titles when they signed Tony Parker (2001) and Manu Ginobli (2002).

For the remainder of the decade the trio of Duncan, Parker and Ginobli would continue San Antonio's winning tradition. The Spurs have also continued their dynasty into the 2010's with a 61-21 season in 2010-2011 and Southwest division title followed by another playoff run this year with a 50-16 record and another Southwest title. They have posted an overall record of 111-37 the past two seasons and are now 684-284 since 2000-2001.

Time will tell if the Spurs can win a fifth NBA title this season but until then lets give these guys credit for doing and that is winning basketball games.