The NBA’s last strike-shortened season provided unprecdented success for the Spurs.
The 50-game season in 1999 was culminated by the Spurs’ first NBA championship and a 37-13 record that represents the fourth-highest season winning percentage in team history.
But that season or how the team played then doesn’t matter much now to Spurs coach Gregg Popovich.
“I’m not sure there’s a relationship between what’s going to happen this year and 10 years ago or six years ago or 12 years ago,” Popovich said. ”This year is what it is and we’ll just play this year out. I don’t remember the last time I’ve believed in omens.”
The 1999 season was an interesting one for Popovich and the Spurs. The Spurs stumbled to a 6-8 seart before finishing by winning 46 of their final 53 games including the playoffs. They punctuated that season by winning the NBA Finals in five games over New York.
Popovich added that any secrets he might have learned during that short season won’t provide much help this year.
“If I learned anything, it’s already in there,” Popovich said. “I’m not sure I can pull it out right now. It’s probably in there some place.”