NBA Dynasty: One Special Fact About San Antonio Spurs and Others

With five NBA titles in their hands, the San Antonio Spurs have been dubbed as a dynasty. With that said, they share one fact between other dynasties.

Tim Duncan was a main contributor in bringing titles to San Antonio. He laid the foundation on what this team has become, and will continue to be. All the success should land on what he has done for the organization from the time he stepped foot in San Antonio.

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The type of player that Duncan was throughout his career is the staple of San Antonio. It was his team. Now heading into the post Duncan era, it will be hard for fans whom has seen him and stood by him through his ups and downs. But, through those times, it was all with San Antonio.

The five titles that are displayed in the trophy case at the AT&T Center proves that this team is no stranger to winning. Talks of dynasty starts coming to the front and rightfully so.

The Spurs do have one special thing in common with other teams that have been labeled “dynasties”: finding the right players to fit their system.

Next: The Bill Russell Boston Celtics

Feb 16, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; NBA legend Bill Russell speaks during a special tribute to him during the 2014 NBA All-Star Game Legends Brunch at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

The Bill Russell Boston Celtics:  Intelligent

Probably the most celebrated center of the 1960s was Wilt Chamberlain.  His stats are hard to argue with.  Yet in the end it was Bill Russell and the Boston Celtics who blew him away with 11 championships  including eight in a row.

How did they do it?

By always being two or three steps ahead of the competition.  Russell, along with point guard Bob Cousy were among the smartest players of their era, knowing which situations called for what.  On top of that, their head coach Red Auerbach was a master at teaching fundamentals like passing and defense, never mind his knack for intimidation (smoking cigar before game is over) and talent acquisition (traded All-Stars Ed Macauley and Cliff Hagan for Russell).

Next: The Magic Johnson Los Angeles Lakers

Apr 13, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers former player Earvin “Magic” Johnson introduces Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (not pictured) before a game against the Utah Jazz at Staples Center. Bryant concludes his 20-year NBA career tonight. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

The Magic Johnson Los Angeles Lakers:  Talent

To understand why they were so good is quite simple:  the Los Angeles Lakers of the 1980s were simply the most talented team.  That is the only way they could’ve beaten Dr. J’s Philadelphia 76ers, Larry Bird’s Boston Celtics and Isaiah Thomas’ Detroit Pistons all in the same decade.

It started with Kareem Abdul-Jabarr in the middle, the leading NBA scorer of all time and went on to Magic Johnson at point and James Worthy at forward.  That is three Hall of Fame players in the starting lineup.

That doesn’t even include a veteran Bob McAdoo (Hall of Fame) who helped during their early run and the suffocating All Defensive beast that was Michael Cooper.  It’s no wonder they were so hard to beat.

Next: The Michael Jordan Chicago Bulls

May 21, 2013; Charlotte, NC, USA; NBA team owner Michael Jordan announces that the Charlotte Bobcats will change their name and branding to the Charlotte Hornets starting in the 2014 2015 season at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports

The Michael Jordan Chicago Bulls:  Clutch

Many factors contributed to what made the Chicago Bulls so great in the 1990s.  Of course having the best player of all time in Michael Jordan didn’t hurt but perhaps what made them so amazing, aside from talent, effort and consistency was a buzzword that really became attached to their legacy:  clutch.

No team in NBA history was better at tearing the heart out of opponents at the buzzer quite like Chicago.

Jordan naturally is best remembered  for this from his dagger against Cleveland in 1989 to the swan song against Utah in 1998.  However, the team had other moments from Jon Paxson sinking a clutch three in 1993 that won their third-straight title to Steve Kerr draining huge jumper in 1997 to corral their fifth.

It was a testament to their ability to play under pressure, which is why that team never lost a Finals.

Next: The Tim Duncan San Antonio Spurs

Dec 5, 2015; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs power forward Tim Duncan (21) walks onto the court during player introductions before game against the Boston Celtics at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

The Tim Duncan San Antonio Spurs:  Versatility

One might say longevity is the word that should be associated with the San Antonio Spurs dynasty.  While the Russell Celtics ran off 11 in 13 seasons, the Spurs of Tim Duncan won five across a span of 14 years.  However, the word describes why they were able to do that is the primary reason.

That is versatility.

Like any other dynasty, San Antonio had its core players, but unlike others that core and really the entire roster changes from championship to championship.  In 1999 it was Duncan and David Robinson running the show.  In 2003 that had changed to the now familiar Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili.

That doesn’t include their knack for balancing a brilliant string of role players from veterans like Jerome Kersey, Steve Smith, and Glenn Robinson to properly developed draft picks like Tiago Splitter and Kawhi Leonard.

must read: Leonard Has Improved Dramatically As A Shooter

The point is they always find the right players at the right time to fit their system, which has reeled off winning seasons for ages despite being in a historically tough conference.

That is their mark of greatness in the modern era of basketball.