Don't believe the playoff propaganda—the Spurs want the number one seed

As we draw closer, conversations about what the playoffs are going to look like for San Antonio have begun among the faithful. You discover a lot of things about fan preferences in those talks, but the one that shocked me the most was a disregard for the number one seed. Not everyone believes it's important, and that may be the case for some teams, but not this one.

Spurs should want home-court advantage for as long as possible

We can't forget the biggest detriment Mitch Johnson's squad has going into the playoffs: their youth. While they can overcome it, it would behoove them to have any potential Game 7 setting at the Frost Bank Center. San Antonio has whipped teams across the league in their own buildings all year, but they're still a better group when they get to lie in their own beds.

On a recent Game Over podcast episode with Max Kellerman and Rich Paul, the popular agent insinuated the number one seed doesn't have the same value it once did because teams are so good that the eighth seed isn't just happy to be there; they're coming to win. But that's been the case for a long time; see Spurs/Grizzlies 2011. However, the data doesn't show an increased threat.

It's less about matchups and more about what the seeding says

Playoff bottom dwellers haven't developed any special powers as of late, and there hasn't been an uptick in upsets between the first and last seeds. It's only happened six times in the history of the sport: twice in the 90s, once in the 2000s, twice in the 2010s, and so far, once in the 2020s. Paul makes it sound like eighth seeds have been on a rampage lately. They have not.

Whether the NFL or NBA, I've always had a rule for my teams about the playoffs: either you're good enough to win or you're not. I don't care for conversations suggesting anyone should be hoping for a favorable matchup. You've already lost if you're that worried about someone else.

The playoffs are supposed to be difficult. The Spurs are going to run into the best of the best, and they better be prepared to figure out how to solve the problems presented by whoever is in front of them. The last thing I want to hear is, "Well, if we would have had X team, we could have beaten them." That is a loser mentality that I want nothing to do with.

I'm competitive, and I want to win, but not at any cost. I want to go through the team everyone thinks poses the biggest problems, and they better be fully healthy. There should be no doubt about who is the best when we're all said and done. At least, ideally, that's how I envision winning in sports.

Players can't control their opponents or what the basketball gods decide for everyone's health. But that doesn't change the mentality I expect from them and the one I want for the entire fan base. San Antonio is the threat. It doesn't matter who stands across from them. Line them up, and let the Spurs knock them down. If they can't do it, we take it on the chin and bounce back next year.

Winning the number one seed is part of the competition and gives you the well-earned advantage in the postseason. So, while I agree with Paul's point that the first round will likely be tough regardless of whether you land the first or second seed, it's not about that. It's about the home-court advantage, and the Spurs should want that to grease their path just a touch.