The Spurs had one of their best seasons ever—then history buried it

The year is 2015, and the San Antonio Spurs are embarking on a new campaign after falling in the first round to the Los Angeles Clippers, ruining a shot at a back-to-back following their 2014 title run. All of that is in the past, and Kawhi Leonard has truly stepped into the number one option role on the team.

The timing couldn't have been better. The Big 3 have finally reached an age where they were ultimately shells of themselves, so new energy was needed to carry the torch forward. The Klaw seemed like the perfect choice, and he didn't shy away from it. It would turn out to be the best regular season in franchise history.

The Silver and Black finished the 2015-16 season with a 67-15 record, winning 40 of 41 home games. Unfortunately, the one team that stopped them from going undefeated in the 210 is the same one that completely overshadowed them and cost them a beloved spot in the hearts of NBA fans everywhere: The Golden State Warriors.

The Warriors spoiled the Spurs' greatness twice

We all remember what happened the next year with Zaza Pachulia. A man who will never be welcome in San Antonio for as long as he lives. His children may not even be able to buy a breakfast taco without paying an additional fee within city limits. But nobody ever talks about the year before.

That was the first year where it seemed like the two franchises were on a collision course. With the Splash Bros at their peak and Draymond Green a force on defense, they went 73-9, outpacing the legendary '96 Chicago Bulls team, who went 72-10. It was the best record in the history of the sport, so who was going to care about the second-best record that year? Well, Spurs fans did.

It was a tremendous accomplishment that was ruined twice in one season. During the year, it felt inevitable that San Antonio would at least make it to the Western Conference Finals, but they didn't even get a chance to do that. They were stopped dead in their tracks by the Oklahoma City Thunder.

There was just too much firepower on OKC's squad with Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and Serge Ibaka in their primes. They were all young, athletic, and that roster was deep with big men they could throw at LaMarcus Aldridge and a 39-year-old Tim Duncan. It was the first year that TD averaged single digits and fewer than five rebounds in the postseason.

We didn't know it at the time, either, but it would be Duncan's final year. There was speculation, but you know Timmy D. He's quiet, and he didn't really make his plans known. When he walked away, he just walked away without so much as a farewell. The funny thing about it is that nobody really minded. That's who Tim was. Nobody was going to begrudge him for being consistent.

It was his consistency that helped this franchise turn into the powerhouse it became, winning five championships and developing one of the most respected organizations in sports. That year was the only season in Duncan's 19-year career when he didn't receive votes for any NBA awards and didn't make the All-Star team. He was an absolute master at his craft, and we still miss him today.

As Victor Wembanyama steps to the front of the line, ready to lead this next era into the next chapter, new memories will be formed with success as the setting. But we should never forget the season that could have been. It was pretty significant. It was pretty special.