Okay, right off the bat. I live in Arizona, considered Phoenix Suns country. Even if Robert Sarver is not the owner that wants the better for his team. But if you mention the names: Robert Horry, Steve Nash, Amare Stoudamire, the late David Stern (God rest his soul) in the same sentence in this state, you will probably get into a heated argument. YES...Steve Nash deserved a championship with the Suns. Though, despite times when the team played dirty, the San Antonio Spurs played the game fundamentally. They weren't flashy and didn't have players who were showing off their opponents or fans. They were and still are by the book. I mean, continue what works. And what did it lead them to.
From the 1996-1997 season to currently, the Spurs have won 13 division titles, 6 conference titles and 5 NBA championships. Also since the season is suspended, they currently have a streak of 23 consecutive seasons of playoff appearances. This is considered one of the greatest dynasties in professional sports history.
The brain trust of this franchise is calculated through a keen eye for talent, especially overseas talent. It is noted that San Antonio can found diamonds in the rough in later rounds. Every dynasty has their architects.
PETER HOLT
Many people see owners like Jerry Jones, Mark Cuban or Robert Kraft getting air time on TV a lot. Peter Holt is not that kind of owner. He was head of a successful sports franchise that Forbes magazine called "the best ran in North America" in 2013. His company, Spurs Sports and Entertainment, has been ranked in the top 10 since 2003 in an ESPN survey for best sports franchise in all major sports. Holt retired in 2016 and was succeeded by his wife, Julianna.
R.C. BUFORD
Buford was the general manager for San Antonio from 2002 to his promotion to CEO before this season. He was responsible for keeping the ship going in a smooth course. Looks like he did a good job on that. Buford was also named President of Spurs Sports and Entertainment.
GREGG POPOVICH
Popovich was the GM for the team who fired Jerry Tarkanian in 1996 and named himself the head coach. Pop's no-nonsense approach and his attention to every detail has turned the Spurs into a powerhouse. Popovich is also the President of the San Antonio Spurs.
Every dynasty has their key players and the Spurs had their big three.
TIM DUNCAN
San Antonio was lucky when they won the #1 pick for the 1997 draft for the chance to select a generational talent: Wake Forest center Tim Duncan. Duncan had a Hall-of-Fame career that included all five of their championships and 3 Finals MVP's. He also had 2 regular season MVP's in consecutive seasons and was a 15x All-Star. Duncan became the centerpiece for the Spurs after David Robinson retired. The Spurs were able to put key pieces around Duncan to help them to five championships.
MANU GINOBILI
One of those pieces was a second round pick in 1999 from Argentina named Emanuel "Manu" Ginobili. Ginobili was a little flashy, but he could hit that clutch three or was fearless enough to drive into the lane for an aerobic layup or a dunk or two. Also, homeboy slapped a bat with his bare hand. Legendary.
TONY PARKER
Parker was picked with the 26th pick in the 2001 NBA draft. He was supposed to be a project that the Spurs could develop. He wasn't. Parker showed from day one that he was a key contributor and won the Finals MVP in 2007.
The Spurs had key role players throughout the years such as Bruce Bowen, Stephen Jackson, Patty Mills, Kawhi Leonard: the list goes on and on. Whatever the case, San Antonio has carved out a successful run for over two decades.
This is where Spurs fans will be upset......and Suns fans will be joyous.
The shakeup in the front office could be a factor since the Holt/Buford/Popovich dynamic is credited for the team's dominance. Pop is getting older and there is the time where he would want to hang em' up. The big three are long gone and retired. The current roster shows promise, but there are questions. DeMar DeRozan could move on from the team. LaMarcus Aldridge, Rudy Gay and Patrick Mills are in their 30's with their skills declining due to age. The young core has potential written all over them. Dejounte Murray just re-upped for four years and looks like the player was before his ACL tear. Jakob Poeltl is a force inside. The recent first round draft picks: Lonnie Walker IV, Luka Samanic and Keldon Johnson are raw and developing. Hopefully, they can pan out.
The San Antonio Spurs had a stranglehold throughout the NBA landscape since the mid-90's and many in southern Texas enjoyed the team's prominence into NBA history.
As they say, all things come to an end......if you're a Suns fan, of course.
(References: NBA.com, Spurs.com, ESPN, Wikipedia, Basketball Reference)
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