Show respect to San Antonio to honor Spurs’winning tradition
http://www.redandblack.com/vnews/di...1/442ca45216443
By DAVID BETHEA
Published , March 31, 2006, 06:00:01 AM EDT
In the world of sports, winners tend to get respect. Teams that make the playoffs are considered good, teams that win in the playoffs are considered contenders and teams that win championships are considered dynasties.
So how come the NBA team with the most championships and playoff appearances over the past 10 years isn’t even an afterthought when talk of “dynasties” arise?
Despite a 17-year run as a perennial title contender and numbers that compare favorably with other modern “dynasties,” the San Antonio
Spurs don’t get the respect they deserve.
While few would argue that the Spurs’ accomplishments rival the eight consecutive titles won by the Boston Celtics of the 1950s and 1960s, the
Spurs measure up very favorably with other modern “dynasties” such as the Chicago Bulls, the L.A. Lakers and the Boston Celtics of the 1980s.
From 1979 to 1992, the Celtics made 14 consecutive playoff appearances and won three titles.
Their accomplishments in the ‘80s were trumped only by those of the “Showtime” Lakers, who made 16 consecutive playoff appearances and won five NBA titles from 1976 to 1991.
The Laker dynasty was revived in the late ‘90s, making 10 consecutive playoff appearances from 1995-2004, and winning three consecutive championships from 2000-2002.
Sandwiched between the two Laker dynasties, the Chicago Bulls made 14 consecutive playoff appearances from 1985-1998 and won six NBA titles between 1991-1998.
How do the
Spurs stack up to these teams?
San Antonio, who currently boasts the best record in the Western Conference, has already clinched a playoff berth for the ninth-straight season, and the 16th time in the last 17 years. They enter this year’s playoffs seeking their fourth title in the last eight years.
Are the
Spurs the greatest team in NBA history? No.
Yet, after nearly two decades of dominance and multiple championships, haven’t they won enough to be mentioned with other great teams of the last 30 years? The answer is yes.
Perhaps the problem is in the question: is winning enough to gain elite status for a franchise? If so, why aren’t the
Spurs considered one?
Is it because
Tim Duncan and David Robinson don’t have the flair and charisma of Magic Johnson, Larry Bird and Michael Jordan? Is it because they haven’t beaten another dominant team in the NBA Finals? Is it their lack of consecutive championships? Is it simply their bread-and-butter style of play?
Whatever the reason, it’s time the
Spurs got the respect they deserve and took their place among the other elite franchises in pro basketball history.
