NBA
Greg Popovich is on cloud nine. The head coach of San Antonio Spurs has led his men to 18 straight victories this season and if the franchise manages eight more they would make history.So what’s the secret to their success?
Some say it’s their vigorous performance in the playoffs that is taking them to one victory after another. Others say San Antonio Spurs have finally struck the winning combination and if they keep playing the keynotes in similar fashion they should easily bag the NBA Championship title.
“We don't have any secret. We don't even think about it,” San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker stated in a recent interview.
It’s been 13 years since the San Antonio Spurs won the last of their four NBA Championship titles. However, if they win this will be the best NBA Championship title from whole lot.
Greg Popovich has already announced that San Antonio Spurs are ready to meet the challenges of the Western Conference finals. San Antonio Spurs last visited the Western Conference finals in 2008. This time they will be facing the Los Angeles Lakers or Oklahoma City Thunders in the Western Conference finals.
San Antonio Spurs thrashed the Los Angeles Clippers last week to get named in the 10 longest winning streaks in NBA history. The eighteen straight victories is already a franchise record for the San Antonio Spurs. If the San Antonio Spurs acquire a 19th win they would tie up with the Los Angeles Lakers for the longest winning streak in the post season. This record was setback in 2001.
Whether Tony Parker is attempting to save San Antonio Spurs from a curse or he is simply remaining humble; the NBA icon has refused to compare the success his franchise has enjoyed this season with any other team.
“Until we go all the way, I can't compare this team,” Tony Parker said.
On the other hand, Tim Duncan admitted that he was feeling the same excitement he felt is San Antonio Spurs Championship runs in 1999, 2003, 2005 and 2007. Presently, Tim Duncan is averaging 17.6 points and nine rebounds in the playoffs. If the veteran continues with his impressive form San Antonio Spurs has a good chance winning the Western Conference finals.
“It feels a lot like some of the other championship teams. In saying that, we haven't done anything yet,” Tim Duncan said. “We've won two rounds. We haven't done anything so you can't qualify, or classify our team as anything other than that we've gotten this far.”
“We're excited about the opportunity now,” Tim Duncan continued. “We'll see what happens.”
San Antonio Spurs are in the process of revamping their team with younger players. This could turn out to be the Achilles heel for their NBA Championship run. Head coach Greg Popovich talked about this issue in a recent press conference.
Greg Popovich admitted that his team could be at a disadvantage. However, Greg Popovich reckons fear of losing is better than being over-confident.
“We're a deeper team,” San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich said. “It's good to face your problems. We knew we had to get younger. Kawhi (Leonard) and (Danny) Green made us a lot younger. It's been a process these last couple of years to get these younger kids. With any championship, we have never gone into a playoff thinking we can get it done. We go in with appropriate fear.”
