When the San Antonio Spurs beat the New York Knicks in the 1999 NBA Finals, it was considered a championship coronation for long-time Spurs center David Robinson.
With plenty of help from second-year power forward Tim Duncan, that title validated Robinson’s career. But more importantly, it spawned a run of sustained success that is incredibly unique in the NBA, especially for a small-market franchise like the Spurs.
Since 1999, Duncan and coach Gregg Popovich have authored a 15-year run including this season that has never missed the playoffs while producing four titles and three other trips to the Western Conference finals. It has been a uniquely successful partnership that has been well supported by R.C. Buford, the very capable GM.
The period has had its share of disappointments – a 2011 first-round loss to eighth seed Memphis – but nonetheless has been as impressive a sustained period of success that you will see in all of sports.
This season, above all others, there seems to be a desperation to the Spurs that is palpable; a sneaking feeling that their championship window – always wide open – is going to start closing after this season.
Duncan had a turn-back-the-clock type of season that resembled 2005 more 2012. Regardless, the inescapable fact is that The Big Fundamental is 37 years old. In spite of Popovich’s steadfast discipline in watching Duncan’s minutes and ensuring ample rest, it would be naïve to believe Duncan can sustain the same level of play for the remaining two years on his contract.
Manu Ginobili has been San Antonio’s best clutch weapon. He was able to combine an excellent skill level with a craftiness and a unique competitive streak that has made him a prolific winner in the NBA and the global game. He has been an indispensable part of these teams.
However, injuries have plagued his last two seasons. This season, above all others, Ginobili looks like being 35 is starting to affect his play. The fire and craftiness are still there, but skill erosion is setting in.
Over the last few seasons, the best player on the Spurs has been starting point guard Tony Parker, who has become the straw that stirs their drink. He debuted in the NBA as a 19-year-old, and annual deep playoff runs, international play and his reckless style have made him more of an old 31.
The Spurs lost Parker for a chunk of time at the end of the regular season. Although he has played in every playoff game, he is clearly banged up and not looking like his normal self.
“I know he’s exhausted,” Duncan said after the Spurs outlasted the Grizzlies in overtime Tuesday night. 
The Spurs entered last year’s playoffs as the NBA’s hottest team by far. Entering Game 3 of the West finals vs. Oklahoma City, the Spurs had won 34 of 37 games – in a compressed season, no less. They played with an air of invincibility.
This air of invincibility was a huge disadvantage when the Thunder started beating them at their own game. The Spurs looked like deer in the headlights because they never had what Popovich likes to refer to as an “appropriate level of fear.” They had been so hot, they thought they could not lose. And before they knew it, they were setting their summer tee times.
If they had any doubts, last year seemed to teach the Spurs how fragile and precious these opportunities to compete for a championship are. This team, although consisting of virtually the same personnel, is very different.