How great teams are formed

We have seen organizations try out different formulas for winning championships. You draft the best player from college and surround him with role players or scout and get players from other countries. The latest trend has been bringing together multiple All-Stars. For eg : Boston Celtics – Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen or Miami Heat – Lebron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh. Though these formulas have worked, there remains an organization which has performed so consistently in the last decade that it makes us wonder – What is the success formula for the San Antonio Spurs?

I have defined success based on how far they have been in the playoffs. Here is SA’s record in the previous 16 years:-

Year Record
2012-13 Lost NBA Finals
2011-12 Lost West Conf Finals
2010-11 Lost West Conf 1st Rd
2009-10 Lost West Conf Semis
2008-09 Lost West Conf 1st Rd
2007-08 Lost West Conf Finals
2006-07 Won NBA Finals
2005-06 Lost West Conf Semis
2004-05 Won NBA Finals
2003-04 Lost West Conf Semis
2002-03 Won NBA Finals
2001-02 Lost West Conf Semis
2000-01 Lost West Conf Finals
1999-00 Lost West Conf 1st Rd
1998-99 Won NBA Finals
1997-98 Lost West Conf Semis

That’s it. 16 consecutive seasons they have reached the playoffs, one NBA finals lost and 4 championships won. Let us now look at the factors that make such a successful organization.

1. Gregg Popovich – The Spurs have stuck with Pop for the past 17 seasons. In an era, where coaches and managers are changed with such high frequency, the Spurs have trusted with Gregg Popovich and he has delivered results. Popovich is also one of the smartest people in terms of coaching. He adjusts player rotations in such a way that the entire bench is used and also ensures that his players get enough rests. This can be seen from the fact that rather going for 70 wins in a season, Pop usually rests his top players at the end of the season.
2. Scouting and Drafting – Tony Parker from France, Manu Ginobili from Argentina and Tiago Splitter from Brazil. The Spurs scouts do a brilliant job of finding talent in places where few would look and develop them.
3. The actual Big 3 – Before Miami and Boston’s big 3 – the Spurs had their own Big 3 in Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili. Belonging to different countries and coming from different cultures, they have learned to adjust and complement each other beautifully with help from Pop. All three players, though exceptional, accept their roles and have perfected it. Ginobili has been willing to come off the bench and provide the necessary spark, Parker has changed his game to include both outside shooting and penetration.
4. Developing young talent – The Spurs have overcome the disadvantage of their aging players by developing the young players of their team. Splitter, Danny Green and Kawai Leonard have stepped into their roles well and hope to someday be the crux of the organization (the time is almost here)
5. Adapting their game – the Spurs have changed their style of game depending on their players. Pop gets credit for this. Just imagine this, the team that featured Bruce Bowen and other lock down defenders now goes for quick fast-break plays and outside shooting through Green and Gary Neal.
6. Tim Duncan – It doesn’t hurt to have the greatest Power Forward on your team. The Big Fundamental continues to surprise us through his determination and dedication for the game. Though his numbers have dropped this season, the will to win is there and he still averages 13.7 points with 8.8 rebounds and 3.1 assists.