The San Antonio Spurs have been a constant in the NBA over the last two decades. Since 1998, the Spurs have won five NBA titles, and the team hasn’t missed the playoffs since 1996-97.
In every season since 1997, the team has won 50 or more regular season games – except for 1997-98 as the season was cut short due to a lockout. The team still managed to win 37 of 50 total games.
So, with the Spurs having so much success, why do some believe San Antonio will have an off year in the Association?
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The Spurs currently have the fourth best odds to win the NBA title behind Golden State, Cleveland and Boston. Last season, the franchise won 61 games and finished second in the Western conference. Unfortunately, the team failed in the NBA Playoffs, and were ousted by Golden State in four straight against the Warriors in the Western Conference Finals.
Why the Spurs could regress?
Some feel San Antonio may regress due to the injuries that key players are facing. Kawhi Leonard was brilliant last season, averaging 25.5 points per game. But Leonard missed the entire preseason with a quad injury. It is an injury that will keep him out of the season’s first game and may be more. No return date has been given for Leonard, so his return is anyone’s guess right now.
Leonard isn’t the only player that will miss the Spurs’ first game. Tony Parker is set to be out until December at the earliest. The team’s point guard tore a quad tendon in the playoffs, ending his season. He is currently rehabbing the injury, but San Antonio will be without its leader on the floor. Even with Leonard back, the Spurs need Parker to pull the strings and dictate play. Although Patty Mills and Dejounte Murray will fill in, there will be a huge drop off with out Parker. The point guard averaged 10.1 ppg and 4.5 assists.
How many games are San Antonio projected to win?
One NBA analytics website has projected San Antonio to win exactly 50 games this season. That could fall based on the loss of Parker until December and the increased strength of the Western Conference. The projection that was performed predicts the Spurs will finish fourth in the conference.
A 50 win season means an 11 game decrease in the ‘W’ column for the Texas team. Of course, we all know Golden State is the team to beat in the NBA, but a fall off by the Spurs could change game-to-game betting across the league.
Spurs could still make the playoffs. Remember, no team has been as consistent as San Antonio over the last two decades. But the team could regress this season. If it does, it could spark some midseason change or a shake-up of the team next offseason.
San Antonio come into the NBA season as No. 9 in the ZCode System’s Power Rankings.
The NBA season tips off Tuesday night, and plenty will unfold over the 82 game season. San Antonio should still be good, but with injuries and an improved Western Conference, things could change.
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