What’s so impressive about the San Antonio Spurs is how they’ve had such a prolonged period of excellence with the same core group of players.
The Spurs won their fifth NBA championship Sunday. Gregg Popovich has been the coach for all five, and Tim Duncan was one of the star players for all five. Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili joined the team a few years later and have won four apiece.
Obviously the NBA has evolved over the past 15 years and the game has changed a lot. The Spurs went from being considered one of the most boring teams in the league to being by far one of the most enjoyable teams to watch. They have a fast-paced offense based on incredible ball movement.
“We’ve shifted the way we played so much in the last 10 years,” said Ginobili in response to a question from Grant Hill on NBA TV after the game. “When I got here, it was basically every single possession, put it in the post. Because it was what gave us the most.
“Then for a couple of years — I think ’05-’07 — it was mainly pick and roll from Tony (Parker) and for me. And from there we created and posted up (Tim Duncan). But in the last two, three years, it was about ball movement and trying to get everybody involved. The fact that we added pieces like Danny Green and Patty Mills to shoot the way they shot. Kawhi Leonard was just incredible this series. Last year, too.
“We had some pieces that made us shift because it’s what gave us the most. Attacking those seams and kicking it and making threes, it was fun to watch and fun to play in.”
Whereas many coaches sometimes become outdated in their methods, Gregg Popovich has not only evolved and kept up with the game, but he’s been at the forefront of a new offensive movement. After the show we saw the Spurs put on in the Finals, do you think
“It was an incredible, incredible playoff run.”
Five titles. Three decades. Enough said.
