Year after year, the Los Angeles Lakers seem to be the only team anyone thinks is coming out of the West.
Things haven’t changed, as the hype continues to surround Pau, Phil, and Kobe’s chase for a 6th ring, which would tie him with the greatest of all-time. But does all of this hype truly deserve to be there? Sure, the Lakers are one of the NBA’s better teams, but there is another team out West who wants to be heard as well.
And that team is the San Antonio Spurs, who at the moment, have a better record than the yellow and purple.
So again, even though this happens every year, why does the media -Â and we NBA fans – continue to write off San Antonio each year?
Image source: AP via NewsHopper.com
It’s not like they’re a bad team, or lacking in veterans, or don’t have a good coaching system. As a matter of fact, they have great body of talent, are filled with proven veterans, and have one of the better coaches in the entire league. Doesn’t make sense, does it?
The Spurs came into this season sort of forgotten. I mean, who wouldn’t? You had talents being brought to South Beach, which pretty much blocked out the sun from every other team. But to get back to the point, San Antonio was never really thought to do much by most of us. They had almost the same roster, and the only  major difference from last season to this one, was the addition of Tiago Splitter (whom I love to watch by the way). But other than that, it was the same old Timmy, Manu, and Tony Parker, right?
Right! But here was the difference: improved play.
It almost seemed like a dream at first. When the Spurs began racking up win after win, I began to ask myself, “how?”
It all has to do with one thing, and one thing only, and that has seemed to been integrated into San Antonio’s mindset for years: the mindset of team over individuals.
The defense is a consistent team effort; the offensive is in “hot-potato” mode; and it has simply carried over to wins. And it’s not like they have only decent players, but they have proven players with the ability to still become All-Stars.
Tim Duncan’s MVP-like years are behind him, but he’s easily putting in 14 points, nearly 10 rebounds, and 2 blocks  game. What more would I want from my big man?
Then you have Manu, who is making a nice resume for the MVP committee. Currently  averaging 20 points, nearly 5 assists, and 3.6 rebounds, he’s doing all of small things, to help S.A. get the W’s.
As for Parker, he continues to be one of the better point-guards in the West, putting in 18 points, 7.6 assists, and shooting a high 52% from the field.
Then let’s not forget the job George Hill and Richard Jefferson are doing as role players. Both are putting in over 10 points, playing solid defense on the perimeter, and making life so much easier for San Antonio’s core.
Speaking of San Antonio’s core, the Spurs have had the “Big Three” formula, long before the Celtics. And heck, it worked. They’ve gotten a championship out of it, continued playoff runs, and it continues to this day.
So is this just another fluke year, or can San Antonio cause some damage, and finally upset Kobe and his Lakers?
Let me hear your thoughts below, NBA fans!
