Mar 24, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; The San Antonio Spurs huddle up against the Houston Rockets during the second half at the Toyota Center. The Rockets won 96-95. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Campbell-USA TODAY Sports

They have said they are not the flashiest team, they are boring to watch. Well to Gregg Popovich and R.C. Buford, to them it does not matter what everyone has to say about their team. Both of which have assembled a team that is not flashy, boring to watch, even though we do have a few that will be Hall of Famers, or do not hear them getting involved in altercations off the court, this team is a humbled team and they know that they have a job to do, and I believe with their success and how they do it, it what makes others upset.

Shaun Powell from USA Today, wrote up an outstanding article on the San Antonio Spurs entitled, Spurs always find help in unexpected places.  He starts off by stating some facts. You will At some point this weekend you’ll see a former second-rounder who couldn’t stick with the Cavaliers (Danny Green), an undrafted player forced to start his career in Europe, a flabby Frenchman (Boris Diaw) who dealt with the indignity of being bought out by the Bobcats and a guard who was getting run in the D-League (Cory Joseph) just three months ago.

Dec 30, 2012; Dallas, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs center Boris Diaw (33) looks to set the play during the game against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. The Spurs defeated the Mavericks 111-86. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

He makes some good points right.  Those players listed above have contributed to the Spurs success this season and in previous as well.  What makes the Spurs good every year would have to start with their Head Coach/General Manager and Owner.  Spurs Owner Peter Holt tells Powell that they look for players that will fit the system, there is no unturned stone when searching for talent.

“We try not to leave any stone unturned in our search for talent,” said GM R.C. Buford. “We look for players who’ll fit well, regardless of where they are in their careers. Not everyone’s a good fit for what we do.”

Powell went on to make another great point that had me sitting here in full agreement.  ”Has any professional sports team breathed life into more dead careers than the Spurs?”

Makes you sit back and think doesn’t it?

During the regular season, this team won 58 games and are off to a 2-0 start in the Western Conference Finals against the Memphis Grizzlies, because of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and a solid core that makes everything else possible.  He [Powell] goes on to talk about the core players of the Spurs.

The Spurs are giving quality burn to Boris Diaw, Gary Neal, Danny Green and Cory Joseph and getting more than anyone would’ve expected in return. Unlike Kawhi Leonard, a former first-round pick, they weren’t projected to be this important. It’s not uncommon to see all four on the floor together, sometimes in the fourth quarter. That sounds almost suicidal, but it works, and it has for years.

May 10, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; San Antonio Spurs president of sports franchises R.C. Buford watches from courtside before game three of the second round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs against the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

That statement pretty much reflects the kind of coach and guy Gregg Popovich is and why he is well-respected by every player in the NBA.  R.C. Buford credits the Spurs success to Popovich as well as Duncan.

“We’ve been fortunate,” said Buford, “and it all starts with Pop and Tim. Without them, none of this would be possible. Tim does a great job of providing the professional atmosphere in the locker room and making sure everyone’s on the same page, and Pop is a terrific motivator.”

Motivator is on point in describing Popovich.  We get a chance to listen to him inside the huddle and you can’t help but always be in agreement with what he says to his players.  You can look at them and tell they are hanging on every single word that is coming out of his mouth.  Popovich is not afraid of anyone.  He to this day still will go after Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili.  No favorites are played.  Even if the team is up by 10 or by 20, if someone is out of position, you better believe the hammer will come down from Pop.

Would Duncan, maybe the best power forward of all time, own four championships if not for the hired help over the years?

Duncan does make each player around him better.  He has the type of leadership that draws people towards him and is always asking for more.  As stated in the quote above, Duncan brings the atmosphere that many General Managers and Owners want to have.  Surely there are the arguments and bickering amongst one another, it wouldn’t be a locker-room if there was not such actions.  You don’t hear this much from the Spurs.  Powell goes on to state that the role players that the Spurs have are acting like starters when they are in the game.

May 16, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; San Antonio Spurs shooting guard Tracy McGrady (1, back) hugs power forward Tim Duncan (21, front) during the fourth quarter in game six of the second round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs against the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena. The Spurs defeated the Warriors 94-82. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

True.

He then takes a look back at some of the players in history that were ‘role’ players for San Antonio.  This will bring back a lot of memories to some.

Mario Elie, Danny Ferry, Bruce Bowen, Steve Kerr, Robert Horry, Stephen Jackson, Antonio McDyess, Steve Smith, Michael Finley and Brent Barry.

Every one of these players while on the Spurs knew their roles and played exceptionally well.  They didn’t try to over due it.  Just like the core players for the Spurs this year and in previous, they all gave it 100% when their numbers were called.  Even if it were two minutes of play to 15 minutes of play, you were always going to get the same energy, nothing less.

Finishing off his article, Powell puts out a great point on the role players.

One or more of these players will find himself pressed to produce something, either a basket or a stop, in a big moment in this series, and then in the Finals if the Spurs advance. Is there a Horry in the bunch? A Kerr? Bowen?

There is one person on the Spurs bench that has confidence in any one of his players to make that defensive stop, hit the final basket, that is left for the the mastermind of this San Antonio Spurs, Gregg Popovich.

May 21, 2013; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan (21) prior to tip-off against the Memphis Grizzlies in game two of the Western Conference finals of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at AT

It was an as usual hot and steamy day in May on the southside of San Antonio. On that 18th of May, a day that will live in infamy for any person growing up or living in San Antonio that grew up a Spurs fan. That season had been miserable. Chuck Person, Sean Elliott, David Robinson had all been on the injured list all season. They had struggled while fielding players like Jamie Feick, Cadillac Anderson, Jason Sasser, Devin Gray, and free agency failure Carl Herrera. Starting lineups included Will Perdue, Dominique WIlkins, along with Vinnie Del Negro and Avery Johnson. After David Robinson broke his foot and it was clear he would miss the rest of the season, reality had set in. No playoffs and they were headed for the lottery. I mean my god, it was the thing I’d watched during halftime of Spurs playoff games.

They would be amongst the likes of Dallas, Boston, Denver, Golden State, and ugh, the Clippers. Well wait, even that season the Clippers made the playoffs!! GOD! HOW EMBARRASSING!!! So, at the age of 16, I booted up my Apple macintosh and got online through AOL. I patiently waited as I looked up college player’s stats. The Spurs clearly needed a power forward to replace the aging and injured Terry Cummings. So the first player that stood out? Adonal Foyle. He lead the nation in rebounding at Colgate. Keith Van Horn, I didn’t like, he really made me think tall lanky and soft. Tim Duncan? Oh, yeah well the Spurs arent getting him, he’s gonna go to Boston. Boston that year had lots of draft picks, and had actually been worse than the Spurs.

May 16, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; San Antonio Spurs shooting guard Tracy McGrady (1, back) hugs power forward Tim Duncan (21, front) during the fourth quarter in game six of the second round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs against the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena. The Spurs defeated the Warriors 94-82. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

I had estimated at the time, the Spurs will draft third most likely. So for weeks I followed stats, Foyle stayed up at the top of rebounds. So I figured, him next to Robinson would be fantastic! He could be a normal Rodman! How about Tony Battie? He would look good blocking shots next to D-Rob, but eh, he’d get taken too most likely. So for the longest time I ignored Duncan. Spurs weren’t getting him, but I watched him on TV and wished he would come. Logically though, nah. So time went by and finally. FINALLY! The 18th of May had come. As Russ Granik pulled the logos from the envelopes, Cleveland first. Ugly logo, next. Indiana. Tough but, another playoff compatriot in the lottery.Sacramento, Milwaukee, and Toronto went by. Totally as planned. Golden State, then New Jersey. Boston at 6! Wow I thought, 1 and 6, they’re gonna own next year. 5 Denver. Hmm, strange, guess we got 4. Vancouver, understandable but strange they weren’t allowed to have the #1 pick yet anyways.

Then Boston came out again. My jaw dropped, OMG we have one of the top 2 picks!!!! Then Granik and I remember this like yesterday, struggled opening the second envelope. As he slid the card out the Philadelphia 76ers logo was revealed and I literally jumped up and ran around the house screaming. WE GOT DUNCAN WE GOT DUNCAN WE GOT DUNCAN!!!!! Didn’t hear till later Peter Holt’s chortles of joy. As soon as everything calmed down, it was just a matter of time till June 28th rolled around and it would be official.

We fast forward to the first game. A game that any other year would’ve just been a scroll page on ESPN. A battle of two lottery teams from the previous year, San Antonio in Denver. However for us San Antonians we were glued to the TV. It was a late start, however, we stayed up. Watching Duncan next to Robinson was a dream come true. He moved like a guard. Del Negro and Elliott feeding him in the post.It was amazing. It was awesome. We had a really awesome forward that was dominating!!! Robinson dominating defensively was one thing, what Duncan was doing though, was totally different. That regular season would go on to be a fun one. A rookie of the year fun one.

Apr 12, 2013; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan (21) drives to the basket against the Sacramento Kings during the first half at the AT

We fast forward past the rookie of the year campaign, the playoff second round failure to Utah, mainly due to Duncan spraining his ankle in game 4. A long fall and winter without basketball. A horrible NBA lockout had prevented us from seeing Duncan’s second year campaign. It was my senior year of high school so, it was OK, I was distracted. However, basketball started back up again in January. The Spurs started out horribly, 9-11. Would Pop be fired? San Antonio’s fans demanded it. They wanted Doc Rivers, the popular color commentator of Spurs games, to take over. The season turned around, the Spurs went on a winning streak, secured the division and the #1 spot in the playoffs. They quickly dispatched of Minnesota and LA in 8 games total. The sweep of the Lakers being pretty sweet. Then Portland, the memorial day miracle. In game 4 the Spurs routed the Blazers, the highlight Tim Duncan blocking Brian Grant ferociously as the Spurs rolled and won the Western Conference.

Holy cow, were in the Finals!!!! We get the cool Finals trophy on our jerseys!!! We get cool new Western Champion shirts!!! All so new! Awesome! Then the Finals. I was privileged enough to be able to go to game 1. The pageantry, the cameras. Stars everywhere. It was a jaw dropping experience. On the floor the NBA FINALS logo wrap was down. It was just amazing. The game was a blur. The Spurs won going away in the second half. Duncan was dominant, and that was that. Sadly we had to leave town and my parents had to get back to work at the family business. Watching on the small 13 inch TV in California I watched as Spreewell airballed his fadeaway. Elliott slammed the ball down, and wow. The Spurs were champions of the world. It was surreal. It didn’t seem true. The shirts, the hats. The sports illustrated commercials. All of it. Would finally feature my little old San Antonio Spurs. All the kids in school who rooted for Chicago, or the Lakers. I finally got to throw something back at em!

Now we fast forward to modern day today May 23rd. nearly 16 years and 5 days after that wonderful day. It was announced at the age of 37. Tim Duncan had made the 1st team all NBA team. in his 16th season. Again, at 37. The career of Duncan has been one of a dream for us Spurs fans. A player I thought we’d never get, to a player that will

Mar 8, 2013; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan (21) dunks as Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) looks on during the first half at the AT

never be seen again. He’s seen players come through, Elliott, Bowen, Johnson, Del Negro, Elie, Jackson, Jaren and Stephen. Players have come and gone. Players have had their numbers retired and been inducted into the hall of fame. Duncan has seen it all along with us at home. Mind blowing come backs, Portland, Dallas, Golden State. Heartbreaking losses, Oklahoma City, Los Angeles, Dallas. Oy especially game 7 vs Dallas. Never the less. Now, as I sit here, on a hot May day not much different than then. The Spurs are up 2-0 again, in the Western Conference Finals. The Spurs have again a great shot at making the NBA Finals. Its one when you sit back and analyze is a run for the ages. Its felt like a quick one however. It feels like yesterday the Kerr barrage. Ginobili’s 05 run. Horry’s threes. Michael Finley blowing up Denver. it all comes back to Duncan. Raising the trophies, the awards, the statues. A man who took a franchise that was fun and semi known, to the most respected and envied franchise in all of pro sports.

So heres to you Tim Duncan. My favorite athlete of all time, of any of my teams. You deserve the limelight, the praise, the accolades. Even though you don’t want them. It is for that fact, why all of San Antonio and I, respect you so much.

Now go win game 3.