Death, Taxes and the Spurs Winning 50 Games

[Harison]

A franchise teams try to be like. Some teams have already implemented their style. Curious how that franchise goes on without Duncan/Pop retire?

As long as Pop stays, they will be relevant. Duncan is no longer cornerstone anyway, he can be replaced and position upgraded.

[lilteapot]

A franchise teams try to be like. Some teams have already implemented their style. Curious how that franchise goes on without Duncan/Pop retire?

They're also great because of RC Buford and their incredible front office and team culture which won't go away when TD and Pop retire. They'll be fine.

[SCdac]

Spurs may not have been swimming in championships pre-Duncan & Pop, but they were generally a perennial playoff team with Robinson and crew (had Larry Brown as a coach for a minute - Pop was an assistant to him). Won't be surprised if that winning mentality persists, provided the roster is decent (it's a player's league imo). If Spurs can keep Kawhi Leonard and Aldridge that'll be dope

[GOBB]

As long as Pop stays, they will be relevant. Duncan is no longer cornerstone anyway, he can be replaced and position upgraded.

Ok, we shall see.

They're also great because of RC Buford and their incredible front office and team culture which won't go away when TD and Pop retire. They'll be fine.

Lets hope.

Spurs may not have been swimming in championships pre-Duncan & Pop, but they were generally a perennial playoff team with Robinson and crew (had Larry Brown as a coach for a minute - Pop was an assistant to him). Won't be surprised if that winning mentality persists, provided the roster is decent (it's a player's league imo). If Spurs can keep Kawhi Leonard and Aldridge that'll be dope

You had David Robinson a great player then was gifted with Tim Duncan. Unless you're being gifted again post Duncan? I'm not sure you can equate post Duncan/Pop with pre Duncan/Pop.

[SCdac]

Ok, we shall see.



Lets hope.



You had David Robinson a great player then was gifted with Tim Duncan. Unless you're being gifted again post Duncan? I'm not sure you can equate post Duncan/Pop with pre Duncan/Pop.

Won't be surprised in the slightest if the Spurs get great players again, like other franchises do. Duncan and Robinson aren't even the only all time great players that have played for the Spurs. I'm not counting on it like it's for sure going to be happen, but it won't be surprising if it happens. Hell they already got Kawhi and Lamarcus without having to have a horrible season. Also the Spurs culture has been relatively the same the last 30 years, with an emphasis on defense and teamwork. Pop and Duncan did not invent the Spurs franchise, they inherited it and helped make it better

[Orlando Magic]

The moment that duncan says goodbye is the moment this streak ends

[SCdac]

^ I'm not knocking Duncan's impact - he's a great defender still, great player just in general, a leader on/off the court, sets the tone for the team - but to be fair to the current squad, Duncan clearly not the player he used to be and that's not an insult. It's age and wear and tear. He's averaging 25 mpg (5th highest on the team), averaging his lowest ppg ever (~9 ppg), and has missed 15 games so far (surely FO is playing it safe with him)... But the Spurs are still chugging along and just won 50 games... I think it's safe to say the Spurs have been preparing and transitioning to a "Big 3"-less team for a few years now at least. And transitioning successfully I'd say

[GOBB]

Aldridge is only there because of Duncan. Now Leonard was a great pick via scouting.

[SCdac]

Aldridge is also from Texas and said he was happy to be close to his family and friends. Makes sense after 10 years in Portland. Certainly there's more to choosing a team than just teaming up with Timmy. Aldridge was reportedly assured Pop would stay a few more years and Lamarcus was apparently close with Spurs assistant Ime Udoka also

[Overdrive]

Won't be surprised in the slightest if the Spurs get great players again, like other franchises do. Duncan and Robinson aren't even the only all time great players that have played for the Spurs. I'm not counting on it like it's for sure going to be happen, but it won't be surprising if it happens. Hell they already got Kawhi and Lamarcus without having to have a horrible season. Also the Spurs culture has been relatively the same the last 30 years, with an emphasis on defense and teamwork. Pop and Duncan did not invent the Spurs franchise, they inherited it and helped make it better

LMA is pretty old himself, though. The spurs drafted well on fit and talent throughout the years, but Duncan was always there and the core of the team was set. Getting LMA was big in a way, but it's only a fix for 2 or 3 years imo. The Spurs need another major piece for Kawhi to pair up with for the next decade.

[SCdac]

LMA is pretty old himself, though. The spurs drafted well on fit and talent throughout the years, but Duncan was always there and the core of the team was set. Getting LMA was big in a way, but it's only a fix for 2 or 3 years imo. The Spurs need another major piece for Kawhi to pair up with for the next decade.

I trust the Spurs' scouting more than any other franchise currently in basketball. Splitter and Scola (who never donned a SA jersey) may not have worked out, but Parker, Manu, and Kawhi have. I agree they'll need to make big moves in the future, certainly. Do I know exactly what they'll be, obviously not, but I got faith in Holt, RC, Pop, and the rest of the front office and staff. Worst comes to worst, Kawhi has a major injury and the Spurs miss the playoffs or something. If that happens, again, I got faith the Spurs scouting and ability to choose a good player w/ a high pick