San Antonio Spurs

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Lore & Background

The Spurs' success has coincided with the tenure of former head coach Gregg Popovich, as well as with the playing careers of Spurs icons David Robinson (1989–2003) and Tim Duncan (1997–2016). From 1999–2000 to 2016–17, the Spurs won 50 games each season, setting a record of 18 consecutive 50-win seasons. In the 2018–19 season, the Spurs matched an NBA record for most consecutive playoff appearances with 22. The team's early ABA roots began as the Dallas Chaparrals in 1967. After financial struggles, a group of 35 San Antonio businessmen—led by Angelo Drossos, John Schaefer, and Red McCombs—worked out a lend-lease deal with the Dallas ownership group. The team was renamed the Spurs, with colors changed to black, silver and white. In their first game at HemisFair Arena, the Spurs lost to the San Diego Conquistadors despite attracting 6,000 fans. The early Spurs were led by ABA veteran James Silas, and the team grew stronger by acquiring Swen Nater (who would go on to win Rookie of the Year) and George Gervin from the Virginia Squires in January 1974. The ABA tried to halt the Gervin deal, but a judge ruled in the Spurs' favor and Gervin made his Spurs debut on February 7, 1974. The Spurs finished their inaugural season with a 45–39 record, good for third place in the Western Division.

In Their Own Story

During the 1977–78 season, George Gervin battled David Thompson of the Denver Nuggets all year long for the NBA scoring title. On the final day of the season, Thompson took the lead by scoring 73 points in an afternoon game against the Detroit Pistons. That night Gervin knew that he needed 58 points against the Jazz in New Orleans. Gervin got off to a good start by scoring 20 points in the first quarter. In the second, Gervin set a single period record with 33 points. Early on in the third period, Gervin scored his 58 points on the way to 63, capturing the scoring title. While Gervin was lighting up the scoreboard, the Spurs were winning the Central Division with a 52–30 record. However, in the playoffs, the Spurs would be stunned in six games by the Washington Bullets despite an outstanding series. The Spurs have consistently posted winning road records during their February 'Rodeo Road Trip' forced by the Frost Bank Center hosting the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, including an NBA-record longest single road-trip winning streak (eight games out of nine, achieved in 2003). When the Spurs have won the NBA title, the team's victory parades have been boat trips on the San Antonio River Walk.

Reader's Guide

Spurs players are active members of the San Antonio community, and many former Spurs are still active in San Antonio, including David Robinson with the Carver Academy, and George Gervin with the George Gervin Youth Center. The Spurs set several NBA attendance records while playing at the Alamodome, including the largest crowd ever for an NBA Finals game in 1999, and the Spurs continue to sell out the smaller Frost Bank Center (formerly SBC Center and AT&T Center) on a regular basis. Since 2003, the team has been forced into an extended road trip for much of February since the Frost Bank Center hosts the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo during that month, informally known as the 'Rodeo Road Trip'. The Spurs' early home was HemisFair Arena, where they drew 6,303 fans per game in their first season, surpassing the Chaparrals' entire total attendance in only 18 games. After only one year, the ownership group exercised their option to tear up the lease agreement, buy the franchise outright and keep the team in San Antonio for good. In June 1976, the ABA–NBA merger took place, moving San Antonio's sole professional sports franchise into a new league. The Spurs, the Denver Nuggets, the Indiana Pacers, and the New York Nets joined the NBA for the 1976–77 season.

Did You Know?

• The Spurs are the only former ABA team to have won multiple NBA championships.
• George Gervin set a single period record with 33 points in the second quarter on the final day of the 1977–78 season, winning the scoring title with 63 points.
• The Spurs' 'Rodeo Road Trip' began in 2003 when the Frost Bank Center started hosting the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo each February.
• The Spurs won 50 games each season from 1999–2000 to 2016–17, setting a record of 18 consecutive 50-win seasons.
• When the Spurs have won the NBA title, the team's victory parades have been boat trips on the San Antonio River Walk.