Death of a Dynasty: The San Antonio Spurs

This past weekend, as week 9 of the first round of the NBA playoffs came to an end, the San Antonio Spurs became just the third number one seed to lose to an eight seed in the opening round of the NBA Playoffs.  The defeat came at the hands of the younger, more energized Memphis Grizzlies team that proved they are a powerful force and ready to contend.


More devastating than the early exit from playoffs, is the likelihood that the dynasty the Spurs had become over the past decade is seemingly dead.

The Spurs have won 4 NBA Championships since 1999 and are one of only five teams that has taken home the title since the turn of the millennium.

The Spurs have been one of the most accomplished franchises in all of sports over the past 12 years.  The organization is ran with a class and professionalism that is seldom found in the modern world of sports.  And even though the Spurs finished the regular season with the NBA's best record, the veteran laced team ran out of gas, and simply couldn't keep up with the quicker, more youthful Grizzlies.

What now?

Tim Duncan is one of the greatest players to ever step foot on the hardwood, but at 35 he is no longer the player that won back-to-back league MVP awards in 2002 and 2003.  A 35-year-old is young in most professions, but in the NBA a 35-year-old has one foot in the nursing home.  Enjoy the Hall of Fame, Tim.

Manu Ginobili, arguably the Spurs best player, is no spring chicken either, he turns 34 in July.  Still, Manu has had one of his greatest season as a pro and made a case for consideration as the MVP. Unfortunately for the Spurs, Ginobili injured his elbow late in the year and was forced to miss game 1 of the playoffs.  Ginobili would play the rest of the series with the assistance of a gigantic elbow brace that limited his movement, and ultimately handicapped his performance.

Injuries have plagued the Spurs throughout the last couple of seasons.  They looked poised to give it one last hooray in 2011, but came up way short.  With the advanced ages of its core, it appears, for now, the dynasty in San Antonio is no more.

R.I.P. San Antonio Spurs Dynasty - (1999-2011)