22
Oct
5 min read
San Antonio Spurs NBA Profile: Five things you need to know
Five-time champions and model NBA franchise
- Sustained excellence under Gregg Popovich
- Five NBA championships spanning three decades
- "The Spurs Way" - culture of selflessness and teamwork
- A team built on international talent and player development
- Model of consistency with 22 straight playoff appearances
The San Antonio Spurs are one of the NBA's most successful and respected franchises, known for sustained excellence and a team-first culture.
Key Details
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Year Founded: 1967 (as Dallas Chaparrals in ABA), 1976 (joined NBA)
Home Arena: Frost Bank Center
Championships: 5 (1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2014)
Major Rivals: Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix Suns
Australians who have played for the San Antonio Spurs
Patty Mills: Played with the Spurs from 2012 to 2021, contributing significantly to their 2014 NBA Championship win.
Jock Landale: Signed with the Spurs for the 2021–2022 season, providing depth as a center before moving to the Hawks.
Andrew Gaze: Played for the Spurs during the 1998–1999 NBA season. Though his time with the team was brief, he was part of the roster when they won the 1999 NBA Championship, making him one of the few Australians to earn an NBA ring.
Identity
The Spurs have long been defined by their disciplined, fundamentally-sound style of play under head coach Gregg Popovich. Known as "The Spurs Way", the team emphasises ball movement, smart shot selection, and stifling team defense. The Spurs pride themselves on playing an unselfish brand of basketball, with players putting team success above individual accolades.
San Antonio's team culture values high-character players who buy into the system. The front office has excelled at finding undervalued international talent and developing players within their system. This approach has allowed the Spurs to remain competitive for decades despite rarely having high draft picks.
The Spurs play at a deliberate pace, working for high-percentage shots through ball and player movement. Defensively, they emphasise protecting the paint, contesting shots, and limiting opponents' fast break opportunities. While not known for flashy play, the Spurs' disciplined approach has produced consistent success.
Legacy & Impact
The Spurs dynasty from 1999-2014 ranks among the greatest runs in NBA history. Led by Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili, the Spurs won five championships over a 15-year span. Their sustained excellence set records for consecutive 50-win seasons (18) and playoff appearances (22 straight).
San Antonio's greatest teams were defined by their Big Three of Duncan, Parker and Ginobili alongside a rotating cast of complementary role players. The 1999 title team featured Duncan and David Robinson as Twin Towers dominating inside. Later championship squads showcased a more balanced inside-outside attack.
Key figures in Spurs history include Hall of Fame players George Gervin, David Robinson, and Tim Duncan. Longtime coach Gregg Popovich is considered one of the greatest coaches in NBA history. R.C. Buford earned a reputation as one of the league's top executives during his tenure as GM.
Five Fast Facts
- The Spurs' .618 all-time winning percentage is the highest in NBA history
- San Antonio has made the playoffs in 39 of 47 seasons since joining the NBA
- Tim Duncan's 1,001 career victories are the most ever for a player with one team
- Gregg Popovich's 1,344 wins rank 1st all-time among NBA head coaches
- The Spurs have had only 5 head coaches since joining the NBA in 1976
Club Timeline
1967: Franchise founded as Dallas Chaparrals in ABA
1973: Team relocates and becomes San Antonio Spurs
1976: Spurs join NBA as part of ABA-NBA merger
1987: Draft David Robinson with #1 overall pick
1997: Draft Tim Duncan with #1 overall pick
1999: Win first NBA championship
2002: Draft Manu Ginobili 57th overall
2001: Draft Tony Parker 28th overall
2003-2014: Win 4 more NBA titles over 12-year span
2016: Tim Duncan retires after 19 seasons
2018: Trading Kawhi Leonard marks end of championship era
2023: Win NBA draft lottery, select Victor Wembanyama #1 overall
Key Statistics
All-Time Record: 2,592-1,602 (.618 win%)
Championship History: 5 NBA titles (1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2014)
Hall of Fame Players: 10 (George Gervin, David Robinson, Tim Duncan, etc.)
Retired Numbers: 9 (00, 6, 9, 12, 13, 20, 21, 32, 44, 50)
Notable Records: NBA record 22 consecutive playoff appearances (1998-2019)
Today
The Spurs are in a rebuilding phase after the retirement of their legendary Big Three and the end of their record playoff streak in 2020. They've accumulated young talent through the draft, headlined by 2023 #1 overall pick Victor Wembanyama.
Under Gregg Popovich's continued leadership, the Spurs aim to develop their young core while maintaining the culture and system that brought past success. While not currently contenders, the franchise's track record suggests they will find their way back to prominence sooner rather than later.
San Antonio remains committed to player development and finding undervalued talent internationally. The arrival of generational prospect Wembanyama gives the Spurs a potential superstar to build around as they look to launch their next era of sustained success.
