Hubbard: To keep building his own dynasty, LeBron must defeat another

In the 2004 Western Conference semifinals, Lakers guard Derek Fisher hit an improbable 19-foot shot at the buzzer to give Los Angeles a win on San Antonio’s home court and a 3-2 series lead. That was the impetus the Lakers needed to defeat the Spurs, who were the defending champs.

The Lakers lost in the Finals to the Pistons. If Fisher had not made the shot and the Spurs won the game, they would have likely won the series. They would have matched up well with Minnesota in the West finals and with the Pistons in the Finals.

In the 2006 conference semifinals against the Mavericks, the game was tied in regulation when Manu Ginobili drove to the basket but could not score. Duncan got the rebound, but Dirk Nowitzki went over his back in what looked like an obvious foul. There was no call, however, and the Mavericks went on to win the game in overtime and the series.

Had the Spurs won, they would have faced an undermanned Phoenix team in the West finals and Miami in the Finals. The Mavericks got off to a 2-0 lead in the series against the Heat but succumbed to pressure and lost the series. It is doubtful that Duncan & Co. would have been affected in the same way.

The Spurs also had close calls in 2011 and 2012. They were the top seed in the West both years, but in the 82nd game of 2011, Ginobili hyperextended his right elbow, which limited his effectiveness in the playoffs. The Spurs lost a first-round series to the eighth-seeded Memphis Grizzlies.

In 2012, the Spurs swept two series and advanced to the West finals against a young Oklahoma City team. San Antonio won the first two games to extend its overall winning streak to 20 games. But the Thunder responded to adversity, played almost flawless basketball and shocked the Spurs by winning the next four games.

Instead of four titles, you could make the argument that the Spurs could have possibly won eight in a 14-year span.

Now you can make similar statements about other teams. Since the Spurs’ first title in 1999, the Lakers have won five championship while making it to the NBA Finals seven times. That’s more dominant than the Spurs.

And consider the Bulls. If Michael Jordan had never retired, and if Chicago’s front office had kept the team together after 1998, the Bulls might have won nine or 10 championships.

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But this is not to argue that the Spurs’ dynasty is superior to any others. This is to point out that it exists. And while many have been so focused on James creating his own personal dynasty for the Heat, the Spurs have put themselves in position advance their own dynasty. And they’ve done it quietly, which is how they’ve always done it.

CHECK OUT JAN HUBBARD’S ARCHIVE FROM SHERIDAN HOOPS.COM. TERRIFIC STUFF ON THE NBA, PAST AND PRESENT.

Jan Hubbard has written about basketball since 1976 and worked in the NBA league office for eight years between media stints. Follow him on Twitter at @whyhub.