Spurs stumbled into a championship omen fans must recognize

The Spurs accomplished something that many pundits couldn't have predicted at the start of the season: they posted a blistering 62-20 record. This makes it the first time they accomplished such a feat since 2014, a year in which they just so happened to win their last NBA championship.

It's a return to normalcy for the Spurs franchise. Through the late-90's onward, we were accustomed to seeing this team in the postseason, never missing an appearance throughout the Tim Duncan era. A short rebuild period disrupted this streak, but they're back to their rightful place on the NBA's hierarchy as contenders.

You can't help but be a bit superstitious about the whole thing. This being their first 62-win season since their 2014 championship campaign has to mean something, right? The stars seem to be lining up for this group to do something very special in the postseason.

The '14 Spurs have scary similarities to the '26 Spurs

There are several ways in which this current San Antonio team gives me flashbacks to that 2014 squad. One that immediately grabs my attention is their unselfishness and team-first approach. It is a core part of the franchise's identity that will never go away.

That 2014 group boasted a league-best six double-digit scorers while sitting well in the top ten in both assists per game and offensive rating. The '26 Spurs feature seven double-digit scorers (league leader again) and also rank top-10 in assists and offensive rating.

Elite bench production is also a staple of both Spurs groups. Now, the 2014 Spurs were superior, ranking first in bench points, while the 2026 group ranked ninth. But both ended the season with players gunning for the Sixth Man Of The Year award. Manu Ginobili finished third in voting, and Keldon Johnson made the most compelling case to snag the trophy this year.

Both Spurs teams are on two different sides of the spectrum

There is such an irony to this current Spurs roster being the first to notch 62 wins compared to the 2014 squad. For the latter, it was their last true reign over the NBA in the Tim Duncan era. Himself, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili were all in the twilight of their careers, making one final addition to their storied dynasty.

For the new look Spurs, their 60-win season marks the beginning of the franchise's next chapter of dominance. Their youthful core of Victor Wembanyama, Stephon Castle, and Dylan Harper is still trying to make their mark on the league, and so far, they're doing a great job of that.

Wemby's in MVP conversations for the first time in his career. Castle established himself as one of the NBA's best two-way threats, and Harper had the most unique showing in one of the best rookie classes of the last couple of years.

While the 2014 group had nothing left to prove, this one has so much left to show the rest of the league. There's so much beauty in the striking similarities and stark differences that exist between these two.

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