The San Antonio Spurs went from a middle of the road team in the ABA to an NBA contender after the merger in 1976 thanks to the dispersal draft that gave them George Gervin. Gervin was the key to the Spurs playoff tickets and division title in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s. San Antonio dominated the regular season schedule in the Midwest Division, but could never make it past the conference finals. The failure to get ahead in the playoffs finally caused the front office to trade away their biggest star and rebuild in 1984.
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It took some years, but eventually the Spurs found that replacement in David Robinson. Robinson first finished his duty with the Navy, but came to the NBA in 1989. Robinson had similar success to Gervin. He took the team to four division titles and could not beat the opponent in the conference finals. That hurdle was passed when the Spurs drafted Tim Duncan. In his second year with Robinson, the twin towers conquered the NBA and won that NBA Championship in 1998. Robinson retired and Duncan became the unquestioned leader and won three more NBA Championships as the one tower.
This season Duncan is back with the same major players that have made them the most consistent franchise in the 21st century. Duncan is known for his solid defense and great fundamentals. His name has been mentioned as the best power forward to ever play the game. Those accolades come as he continues to score, rebound, and pass as well as any other front court player in the NBA. He is not the only star player at the AT&T Center. The Spurs schedule will see point guard Tony Parker slice through any defense and discombobulate the interior as the big guys around the basket have to choose whether to stay at home or block the path to rim. Parker and Duncan could be all a team needs to get playoff tickets for fans, but the Spurs have more.
Manu Ginobili is the crazy Argentinean wing player who can shoot the ball from three or drive with ease and an unsuspecting quickness and jumping ability to the basket. He frustrates other teams with his passion for the game, but keeps San Antonio Spurs fans happy. Bruce Bowen has been the defensive specialist for years. He shuts down the talented wing players throughout the league. He also comes up big with the three from the corner every time it matters. With established lineup and additions like hustle-man Fabricio Oberto and a variety of role players, Spur playoff tickets are never in doubt.