The Future of the San Antonio Spurs

The San Antonio Spurs have been eliminated from the playoffs, marking their earliest postseason exit since the 1999-2000.

Since then, they have won three NBA Championships (2003, 2005, and 2007).

Considering they also won the title in 1998-1999, the lockout shortened season, the Spurs have four championships in the last decade, making them the closest thing the NBA has had to a dynasty since Jordan’s Bulls.

However, the future of this franchise is very much in question.  They have great ownership and front-office leadership, but their core group of players is rapidly aging.

Tim Duncan, the team’s unquestioned leader and 11-time All Star, is 33. He missed significant time this season due to injury and it seems that the wear and tear is beginning to catch up with him.

Manu Ginobili, who has also been hampered by injuries the last few seasons, will turn 32 over the summer. The last two seasons have proved that the Spurs need a healthy Ginobili come playoff time. Both seasons, he has been out for the playoffs, and both times, his team has been eliminated early.

Tony Parker, the youngest member of the Big Three, is just 26, but it’s hard to envision him staying in San Antonio once Duncan and Ginobili are gone, especially since he is married to actress Eva Longoria. Her ties to Hollywood may drive the point guard and 2007 Finals MVP to a bigger market.

Coach Gregg Popovich has also stated that he will leave the Spurs once Tim Duncan is gone. Granted, Duncan still has a few years left in the tank, but with his injury problems, retirement may come sooner than fans expect. If Coach Pop really does follow Duncan to the exits, this team may be left without a direction and leader.

With the Lakers and the Cavs looking potentially dominant for the next several years, it’s likely that we have seen the last of this Spurs dynasty. If that is true, it was a terrific run. Many fans complained that the team played uninteresting basketball, but many purists credited San Antonio with bringing fundamentals back to the NBA.

If the Spurs management is wise, they will plan for their long-term future now—because it does not appear this team will be together for more than the next few seasons.