Worst Seasons in San Antonio Spurs History

By George Middleton
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While the San Antonio Spurs have been all about success the last decade or so, it has not always been pretty. The Spurs have won five titles, all of them coming since 1999. The Spurs have made the playoffs for 17 straight seasons and will look to continue the run this season. On to the bad, below are the worst seasons in Spurs history.

San Antonio Spurs 1986-87 Team

The Spurs were just bad in 1988, as they went 28-54 under coach Bob Weiss. Alvin Robertson was the best player on the team that season, as he averaged 17.7 points, 5.2 assists, and 3.2 steals. Walter Berry also played terrific averaging 17.6 points and 5.4 rebounds. Artis Gilmore was on the team as well, but at the age of 37 he wasn’t the same player he once was. The disastrous season led to the Spurs landing a top five pick, where they selected the great David Robinson, maybe they didn’t lose after all.

San Antonio Spurs 1988-89 Team

The second worst season in Spurs history in terms of win percentage, came in 1988-89. The Spurs went 21-61 before making the playoffs for seven straight seasons. Willie Anderson and Alvin Robertson led the team that season. Anderson averaged 18.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 4.6 assists. Robertson was one of the better all around wings that year, as he averaged 17.3 points, 6 assists, and 5.9 rebounds. It was Larry Brown‘s first year as the Spurs head coach and it simply didn’t go well. David Robinson came to the NBA one year later and he helped end their struggles.

San Antonio Spurs 1996-97 Team

The last time the Spurs missed the playoffs was in 1997. It was the first season Gregg Popovich coached the team, but only coached after the Spurs began 3-15 under Bob Hill. The Spurs finished 20-62 overall. Sean Elliott and Dominique Wilkins led the team after David Robinson got injured, playing only six games. This season was the last that Spurs fans faced misery as they drafted Tim Duncan a year later.

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