San Antonio Spurs: Death of a Dynasty
For the first time since the 1996-1997 season the San Antonio Spurs season ended before April 24. We all know that is the year their franchise fortunes changed for the better when they were able to grab the number one pick in the draft. That year they used this top pick on a guy that many regard as the “Greatest Power Forward of All Time”; that guy is Tim Duncan. We are used to seeing the team win at least 50 games a season, with the team making deep runs come playoff time and of course winning five championships. This season was very unorthodox for them, I mean another team that isn’t used to much success would have loved take the 47 wins this year and be happy with it but after eighteen consecutive seasons winning at least 50 games we all knew something was not right with the team. This is an organization that has been a model of consistency, stability, and a family like atmosphere. This season many of those things were missing which made this one of the most intriguing seasons in recent Spurs memory.
Coach Gregg Popovich is one of the best NBA coaches in history. After losing his wife it will be hard getting back in the swing of things again. Photo clutchpoints.com
The elephant in the room is definitely the Kawhi Leonard situation, which to some was very weird to begin with. He only played in nine games all season, was hardly around the team, and has been in New York City the past few weeks working out and rehabbing so there has been some disconnect between him and the team. He has a team around him that many say have been shielding him from San Antonio’s attempts at reaching out. There has been a meeting planned between Kawhi and the team which is at the top of their list. They have a great chance of resolving things because he has always had a great relationship with Coach Poppovich and of course there is that 5 year $219 Million Dollar extension that he can be offered this off season, but will they put it out there for him? What will happen remains to be seen but if they get a healthy Kawhi back they are back to being the Spurs that we know and love to watch, but that remains to be seen and now we must wait to see how this “drama” unfolds. I know if he decides that he wants to leave the Spurs can demand a Kings ransom for him.
San Antonio Spurs power forward LaMarcus Aldridge (12, left) and Kawhi Leonard (2, right) are the future of this franchise. It will be up to them to get the ship moving in the right direction. Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
What direction will the franchise go in next season? They really don’t have much money to score a major free agent and they have a few aging players such as Pau Gasol, Manu Ginobli and Tony Parker. Pau has confirmed that he wants to play for another 3 years, Manu will be 41 in July and is contemplating retirement, and Parker who while he is only 35 he has been in the NBA for 18 years and hasn’t necessarily been extremely healthy the past few years. They have a few young guys like Dejounte Murray, Bryn Forbes and Kyle Anderson who seemed poised to help sustain the San Antonio Spurs tradition. It is also safe to say that we do not know about the current status of Head Coach Gregg Popovich. His job isn’t in jeopardy but as we all know he lost his wife of four decades, she passed away on April 18 so who knows if he will still be there emotionally after suffering such a loss. There are many questions that need to be answered, as of now, I would not say they are in “limbo” but we have to take the “wait and see approach”. I am positive that once they get the Kawhi thing under wraps, figure out what Pop wants to do and then make some minor moves they will be back to what we know and love to watch.
Spurs have some quality guys on the roster. Kyle Anderson #1, Patty Mills #8 and LaMarcus Aldridge #12 all have huge roles on this Spurs team. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
Once the Spurs handle all of these loose ends floating around their franchise; it is no doubt in my mind that they will be back to being one of the top teams in all of basketball. They are always consistent and do things the right way, so of course it will strike many fans as odd when they are getting more press for off the court things as opposed to whats happening on the court. If they can get their core nucleus together and get everyone on the same page; I am positive that things will workout in their favor. We will start to see what we are used to. I know general manager RC Buford has some tricks up his sleeve so stay tuned over the next few months.