Hello, NBA fans. If you have been reading my column over the past 19 years, you should expect to see what has become one of my annual rituals.
It is time for that yearly reminder about the National Basketball Association team that continues to perform under the radar despite its tremendous run of success year after year.
It is time to remind everyone about that one team that seemingly re-invents itself every season to remain among the league’s elite. It is that team that is having an historical regular season heading into the All-Star break, even for this storied franchise.
I can only be talking about one team. Yes, folks; that would be your San Antonio Spurs.
We are in a time where it is all about the Golden State Warriors – and rightly so. The Warriors are in hot pursuit of the Chicago Bulls’ record of 72 wins in a regular-season, and the champs are doing it with style. Steph and the boys shooting it up from everywhere. Meanwhile, back in Cleveland, LeBron James and Co. are experiencing a little drama with the firing of their coach. But the Cavs still have LeBron and the best record in the East. Expect them to be back in the Finals in June.
While all of this is going on, the Spurs have managed to put together its best regular-season record in franchise history at the 45-game mark. They are currently 38-7 and undefeated at home this season. Granted, loss No. 7 was a 30-point tail-kicking, courtesy of GSW, but the Spurs have served notice that they are still a major factor in the league and a championship contender. As a team, they are shooting close to 50 percent from the field and their point differential is a plus-13, which is very impressive.
The old standbys are still in place, with Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili doing their thing despite being well into their thirties. However, the mantle has been officially passed to small forward Kawhi Leonard, who has blossomed into one of the league’s finest players. Leonard will be a starter at the upcoming NBA All-Star Game in Toronto. The league’s reigning Defensive Player of the Year, Leonard is also averaging 20 points a game while shooting 50 percent from the field. He is a full-fledged star.
The Spurs rarely hit the free-agent market in the off-season, but they hit the jackpot last summer when they lured perennial All-Star power forward LaMarcus Aldridge from Portland. He has been a stud inside while forming a formidable inside combination Big Fundamentals. Veteran Danny Green is still one of the league’s best catch-and-shoot threats.
San Antonio has also fortified its bench to become one of the deepest teams in the league. Boris Diaw is that veteran combo forward who can score and pass. Ginobili and Patty Mills bring offensive firepower, while veteran David West can still get it done. Youngsters Kyle Anderson, Jonathan Simmons and huge center Boban Marjanovic are also getting into the act.
Of course, pulling all of the strings is future Hall of Fame coach Greg Popovich, the best in the business.
At this point, one would be crazy not to install Golden State as the favorites to repeat because of the level they are playing at right now. However, should they slip up just a little, there is one team out there poised and ready to re-take their place on the top of the mountain.
That would be your San Antonio Spurs.
