How have the "old" Spurs continued to be contenders year in and out? Every year the so called "experts" say this will be the season the Spurs will fall, yet it has yet to happen. The Spurs as an organization are a model franchise. They pay their stars generously and surround them with interchangeable role players ala Bruce Bowen, Robert Horry, Brent Barry, Fabricio Oberto and now Tiago Splitter, Danny Green, Dejuan Blair, Kawhi Leonard, Action Jackson, etc. With this model, they have been able to remain competitive by retaining their stars and playing an unselfish brand of basketball all under the helm of Popovich.
Although Duncan is no longer the dominate force he once was, the internal improvements on the team (Parker, Green, and Splitter) have allowed his effective non-dominate play to not harm the team's chance to contend. The Spurs have also transitioned to more of an offensive team rather than a dominate defensive team, realizing that they simply do not have the personal to play lockdown defense and that the NBA as a whole has transitioned into more of an offensive league. Having made key additions at the trade deadline and under the leadership and consistency of the Big 3, the Spurs are sure to quiet their yearly doubters as they are determined to return to the promise land- the Finals. Under the radar, on top of the standings.
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