Hello, NBA fans. It’s about that time of year again.
We are in the home stretch of the regular season, and the playoffs are within sight. With that in mind, it is time for me to give you your annual reminder about that one team that always seems to go under the radar during the season despite its enormous record of success.
Yes, folks, it is time for your yearly reminder about the San Antonio Spurs.
I have been writing this same column in this same space at about the same time of the year since the late 1990s. Nothing has changed. There are many great storylines in the league this year, but there is always one constant. It is that one team that just rolls along, going about its own business while few are paying attention.
That would be your San Antonio Spurs.
The Eastern Conference is wrapped up in the two-team race between the world champion Miami Heat and the Indiana Pacers, who are desperately trying to get that top seed so they can have Game 7 of the Conference finals on their home court.
In the West, there is so much going on. Kevin Durant is chasing scoring titles and MVP awards. Dwight Howard has brought more heft to Houston as he teams with James Harden. Blake Griffin has become the NBA’s new breakout star as the Los Angeles Clippers try to become a playoff factor with Doc Rivers at the helm.
Heck, even the New York Knicks have made headlines for being terrible, yet bringing the Zen Master into the fold while the Lakers are still in the news for being just plain bad.
While all of this is going on, did anybody notice which team has the best record in the league. What team is riding a franchise-record 18-game winning streak?
That would be your San Antonio Spurs.
The Spurs have been moving like clockwork this season after a year in which they were 20 seconds away from winning the franchise’s fifth world championship. The Big Three is still intact with veterans Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili, plus future Hall of Fame coach Gregg Popovich at the controls. Parker is averaging a team-high 17 points a game while the ageless Duncan is averaging 15 points and 10 rebounds and Ginobili is averaging 12.
 The supporting cast continues to evolve around the Big Three as the Spurs are the league’s most balanced team. Third-year small forward Kawhi Leonard has battled some injuries this year, but he is still emerging as a young star in this league. The only snag in the Spurs’ season happened when Leonard was out with a broken hand. They were 8-6 in that stretch. He is that good.
Free agent pick-up Marco Belinelli has been a real fine, averaging 11 points and shooting 45 percent from 3-point range. Danny Green can still light it up as a catch-and-shooter 3-point marksman. Boris Diaw brings that veteran leadership and savvy at the power forward spot. Tiago Splitter gives Duncan able support in the low post while reserve point guard Paddy Mills has come into his own, averaging 10 points while shooting 40 percent from 3-point range.
The Spurs still run beautiful offense where the ball is constantly moving and everyone seems to get open shots. They lead the league in assists and they have the highest scoring bench, which is a testament to their depth. They may not have the sexy names, but they play basketball in its purest form.
The Western Conference playoffs promise to be a battle royal with the likes of the OKC Thunder, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers, Golden State Warriors and Memphis Grizzlies waging some healthy battles. However, do not forget that one team that always seems to be around when the dust settles.
That would be your San Antonio Spurs.
