SPURS: Then and Now: The Spurs Playoff Re-Run?

Then and Now: The Spurs Playoff Re-Run?

A Spurs team coming off of a tough Playoff loss to a rival, puts together new pieces during the season, and surges into the playoffs. Sound familiar? The Spurs are writing a new story, but it may seem like they've read it before - during their 2005 Championship run.

Then

At the start of the 2005 season, the team was not lacking in motivation. In their previous run for the title in 2004, they experienced the infamous "Point Four" and watched the Lakers advance to the NBA Finals.

Now

The 2006 Playoffs brought the Spurs and Mavs together in a hotly disputed Texas showdown. After falling behind 3-1, the Spurs climbed back into the series to force a game seven at the AT&T Center. The game went to overtime in a dramatic climax, but the Spurs would fall to the Mavs and watch them advance to the NBA Finals.

Then

They entered the postseason led by Tim Duncan's 20 points and 11 rebounds, and quickly raised questions about their future by dropping the first game of the playoffs - to the Denver Nuggets. The team adjusted with a surprising move, pulling Manu Ginobili out of the starting lineup to serve as a spark off the bench. San Antonio would win the next four games in the series.

Now

Tim Duncan's 20 points and 11 rebounds led the Spurs into the playoffs. This time around, it wasn't surprising to see Manu coming off the bench, but it didn't take long for questions to be raised after the Spurs lost their first game - to the Denver Nuggets. Just as in 2005, however, San Antonio won the next four games.

Then

Their semifinal series against the Seattle Sonics was described politely as "physical". Coach Pop would say after a loss, "Both teams are in the playoffs. It’s a contact sport and both the teams are going to be aggressive and physical. That’s just what’s expected. I thought the game was great both ways." The Spurs would overcome and advance with a 4-2 series win, and take the West with a 4-1 victory in the Conference Finals.

Now

Many expected the Spurs/Suns series to be a clash of conflicting styles, but it was a clash of much more than that. It was a series that sported black eyes, bloody noses, and hard fouls. Tony Parker put it this way: "It's the playoffs. We played a very physical first round against Denver. Phoenix tries to play the same way. They play very physical and that's what you have to expect from playoff basketball." The Spurs would overcome and advance with a 4-2 series win, and take the West with a 4-1 victory in the Conference Finals.

Sound familiar?

The Spurs may have different faces, different experiences, and a much different Finals opponent this time around, but history has value. Their opponents are getting their first trip to the Finals, but the Spurs are seasoned vets when it comes to their One Goal. As the team prepares to take on the Cavs, they know that they've read the story before, and this may indeed be another happy ending.