Why the Spurs footsteps have gotten louder

The second quarter of the 2009-2010 NBA season is providing a lot of intrigue, the most obvious one being witnessed at the Eastern Conference. Thanks to the San Antonio Spurs recent impressive results, the Western Conference is showing signs and symptoms of joining the unpredictable twists and turns.

The Spurs are currently occupying the third position in the Western Conference and their marching footsteps are inching them closer and closer to the top. Currently, they are enjoying a five game winning streak, which is the best in the West and second in the whole league.

The way the Spurs have silently emerged is something that many people didn’t see it coming, myself included. Probably this is because a lot of attention in the West has been given to the Lakers, the Phoenix Suns and the Denver Nuggets. Although the Spurs are a bit far from their usual best, they cannot be written off by anyone.

Unlike last season where the Spurs had a disappointing run due to injuries, this season they certainly look better as each day dawns. Although it’s very difficult for a team to reclaim its lost glory, the Spurs roster has the advantage of having almost all the players who took them to the top during their golden years. The players know their opponents quite well and more importantly, exactly what to do to go back to the top.

History indicates that other than the Boston Celtics and Chicago Bulls, the Spurs are the only team in the league that has often succeeded in taking out the Lakers. Since the Celtics and the Bulls are in the East, this leaves the Lakers as the obvious team that has to turn its head constantly, just to see which direction the Spurs are approaching.

Ever since Dave Robinson passed the mantle to Tim Duncan, he has hugely helped the Spurs rise as one of the best teams in the league. It’s rather difficult to talk about the last decade without mentioning the Spurs. Due to their NBA championship triumphs, team spirit and foreign players the Spurs fan base has really grown both in and outside US. 

As age continues to catch up with Duncan, Tony Parker has cemented himself as a pillar.  The day when Parker proved this is when he dribbled his name into the books of history by becoming the first non-US player to win the NBA finals MVP award in 2007.

This week the Spurs credibility of conquering the West will be put to test when they face the Toronto Raptors, Detroit Pistons and end the week in a nerve-racking Texas battle against the Dallas Mavericks.