Spurs poised to take the title in an “even” year

The Spurs are back.  The best evidence to back up this claim is the lack of media attention the Spurs have been playing through.  No longer are there catcalls that the team is too old to compete.  In fact, this 2011-12 edition of the Spurs are now the 13th oldest team behind such teams as (and in order)

NBA Oldest Teams

  1. Mavericks
  2. Hawks
  3. LA Lakers
  4. Celtics
  5. Suns
  6. Heat
  7. Trailblazers
  8. Magic
  9. Bulls
  10. Clippers
  11. Raptors
  12. Pistons
  13. Spurs

The Spurs are also still being disrespected by the Vegas odds makers who still have them listed at 8/1 to win while the Heat are 9/5, Thunder are 3/1, the Bulls are 15/4, the Lakers 14/1 and the Clippers 20/1.

While the Spurs are indeed younger, this team in this lockout shortened season and their head coach Gregg Popovich are indeed the perfect fit.   Pop has been regulating minutes for his “Big Three” all season and when an 11-game winning streak was on the line, Pop did not hesitate from not playing (heck not even flying them over) the Utah Jazz in Utah.  While some of the Jazz players said they felt “disrespected” by Pop’s move, they have to know that if the “Big Three” had shown up, the Jazz would have been one step further from the playoffs. As it is, they are barely hanging on and the victory over the Spurs kept them alive.  So, Jazz fans do not be miffed that the “Big Three” were held back.   You should be thanking Popovich for the gift.

Riding With the San Antonio Spurs

The San Antonio Spurs are one of only four former members of the American Basketball Association to remain intact after the league’s merger with the National Basketball Association in 1976. They are also the only team from that league that has so far managed to win an NBA Championship.

The team has actually been extremely successful, earning 17 division titles, four Conference Titles, and four Championships. They have made it to the playoffs in 19 out of the last 20 seasons and are one of only two teams to keep a perfect record though multiple Finals Series.

The home of the San Antonio Spurs is an indoor arena called the AT&T Center located in San Antonio, Texas. Formerly known as the SBC Center, the arena opened in 2002 and cost 175 million dollars to build. For basketball, the stadium seats 18,581 fans. Aside from the Spurs, the arena also hosts the Silver Stars of the WNBA, the Rampage of the AHL, and the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo as well as several concerts each year.

Home games for the San Antonio Spurs are full of excitement both on the court and on the sidelines. In their hometown the Spurs are accompanied by their popular mascot, Coyote. Coyote can be seen during breaks in the game performing his wild antics and stunts, and during the game on the sidelines and in the stands. Perhaps one of the most famous moments in the mascot’s history came during a game in 2005 when he argued a call and was ejected from the game. The Coyote did not return to the court until given an official pardon by the Texas governor a few games later.