It was almost 30 years ago when the Dallas Chaparrals moved south to San Antonio. Reborn as the Spurs, the team has been an important part of the community since 1973. After three seasons in the ABA the Spurs were one of four teams to merge into the NBA in the summer of 1976.
Thanks in part to a trio of superstars — George Gervin,
David Robinson and Tim Duncan — the Spurs have established
themselves as one of the of the NBA's top teams. Only two
teams — the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers
— have better career winning percentages than the Spurs.
The fact that the Spurs have qualified for the playoffs 26
times in their 30 seasons shows the success the team has enjoyed.
The highlights for the Spurs came during the 1998-99 and
2002-03 seasons when the team captured the NBA Championship.
San Antonio rolled through the playoffs with a 15-2 record
beating the New York Knicks in five games to claim the first
title in the team's history in 1999. In 2003 the road was
a bit tougher with every series going to six games culminating
with the besting of the New Jersey Nets at the AT&T Center.
But there are plenty of other great memories as the Spurs
enter their 31st season. The fluid Gervin capturing four scoring
titles. The noble Robinson being named the league's MVP in
1995 and retiring as an NBA Champion. And the talented Duncan
winning his own MVP award in 2002 and 2003. But there are
other players — from James Silas to Johnny Moore to Sean
Elliott to name a few — who have also left their marks
on the fans of San Antonio.
The Spurs have also had an impact in the community of San Antonio. Honored with the 2000 Pro Team Community Award by the World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame the Spurs — through the Spurs Foundation — have given over $5 million in cash and in-kind contributions to deserving children throughout South Texas.
For complete information on the San Antonio Spurs log onto http://www.spurs.com.
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