I turn on ESPN this morning and look at the left hand column, the order of stories begin with the Heat and Lakers, then shift over to the Thunder and Bulls. Then to the 8th seeded New York Knicks. Bruce Bowen and his beloved bowtie will be on set breaking down each team and the impact they can have in the playoffs. I wonder where the San Antonio Spurs will rank in all of this? After all, this below-the-radar team in terms of media coverage has silently climbed their way up to the 1st seed out West in this shortened and significantly condensed season with a host of veteran players at their core.
This team continues to stand the test of time. It’s truly how a small market franchise is supposed to be run. They don’t make headlines, and certainly don’t boast about a “Big Three” which they quietly have had for years in Tim Duncan, Tony Parker & Manu Ginobili. They are the most stable franchise in the NBA and that seems to get them neglected when it comes time for SportsCenter.
To be fair, as humans, we are driven towards drama. Whether we’re women addicted to Gossip Girl, Dawson’s Creek, or the Twilight series, or men addicted to sports, violence, and beer (a bonafide liquid drama-starter) it’s drama that gets our attention. The Spurs are the definition of drama-free. They show up to work, are successful, and have hosted the same core players the last ten years.
Since no media outlet is willing to headline the Spurs, Hardwood Life would like to take it in our own hands and stick up for them. Let’s go through a few reasons why the media should begin talking about the Spurs, and why teams should be scared to face them in the playoffs.
Gregg “Pop” Popovich:
Quite possibly the smartest coach in the NBA, he’ll surely make the hall of fame when he retires. This man can put together a game plan better than any other coach in the NBA (many of whom have learned from him). He hasn’t won 108 playoffs games and 4 championships just by having a talented roster. He played this shortened season out perfectly, balancing his starters minutes with the plan of having his team rested once they get to the playoffs. This meant resting Duncan during the season and filling out the reasoning of “DND- OLD” one of the best jokes of the year. He has even benched the entire “Big Three” a few games, basically forfeiting, but knowing this will make them stronger & healthier during playoff time. He’s dealt with Manu’s injury and a new group of very young players. We think he’s a lock in for coach of the year. Again.
Tim Duncan:
He’s old, he’s been old, but he’s still Timmy. A man who’s awards consist of Rookie of the Year, 4x Champion, 3x Finals MVP, 2x MVP, 13x All-Star, 9x All-NBA first team, 8x NBA All-Defensive first team. He’s still averaging over 15 points and nearly 10 rebounds, but even bigger is his ability to continue to anchor a defense inside the paint.
Manu Ginobli:
Hardwood Life clearly has faith in him…we did put him as a top player in his position, Top 5 Shooting Guards even while he was injured. He’s basically had ½ the season off, meaning he’s rested and ready to pick up the slack when the time comes. He comes up big in games when he’s needed can dominate a game on the offensive end of the court with either playmaking or scoring.
Tony Parker:
The NBA skills competition winner this year…yea, most people would say this means nothing, but these are the same people who chose against him in this competition. He has been the Spurs MVP this season, picking up the slack for an injured Manu, and helping an aging Tim Duncan. He’s averaging about 19 points a game with 8 assists and at 30 years old, he is still the best point guard in the league at getting in the paint.
Savvy Vets:
You look at this team and see a re-invigorated Stephen Jackson. You continue to look and you see vets that know how to get the job done in Matt Bonner, and the ingenious pick-up of Boris Diaw (The next Robert Horry?). These are vets that can still play well, unlike a few other “Big 3” teams who have vets that let’s be honest, are just there to fill up roster space. *Cough* Jermaine O’Neill, Juwan Howard *Cough*
Young Guns:
People want to continue to call this team old, but three of their 5 starters were drafted in 2009 or later. Danny Green has stepped up when he’s needed this year. He’s the young player you want on an older team; he’s athletic, versatile, and can score and hit the 3 ball to take attention off Parker, Ginobli and Duncan. Tiago Splitter (who has stepped up as much as anyone this year), Patty Mills, Gary Neal, then DeJuan Blair and Kawhi Leonard continue to round out a talented assortment of players.
People are forgetting the genius of coach Pops transformation of the team, taking them from an uber defensive style of play in the 90’s and early 00’s into a run and gun offensive juggernaut the last couple of seasons. They are no longer the “bore” of the NBA and as fans we don’t discriminate. The Spurs really are exciting to watch now. It would be a joy to see them make one last run at a title before Duncan, Parker, GInobli, and Popovich hang em up and leave the San Antonio franchise into obscurity. However, with how well this small market team has been able to achieve success over the years… we’re not so sure that will happen.
So PLEASE media show the Spurs some respect, we know whoever’s on the court with them does.
Hardwood Life 
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