NBA: Preseason Fact And Fiction

October 21, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors center Festus Ezeli (31) is congratulated by guard Andre Iguodala (9) and guard Stephen Curry (30) for recording a block against the Los Angeles Clippers during the first quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

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Oct 20, 2014; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich reacts to a call during the second half against the Sacramento Kings at AT&T Center. The Spurs won 106-99. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /

The San Antonio Spurs have a championship hangover

Last year, there’s no question the entire 2013-14 campaign was about revenge for the San Antonio Spurs. After coming closer to a championship without actually winning it than any team in NBA history, the Spurs were on a mission for vindication, which came in a five-game throttling of the Miami Heat that slammed the book shut on the Big Three era and then threw that book out the window and into a lagoon.

After reaching the peak of basketball’s Mount Olympus, is it possible San Antonio won’t shake off their championship hangover this year? Repeating is motivation enough, but at some point Tim Duncan and his crew of future nursing home companions will show signs of regression, right? The Spurs are 2-4 in the preseason so far, including a slightly embarrassing loss to Berlin where the starters actually played significant minutes. Is San Antonio properly motivated for the new season?

Verdict: Fiction

~~Santa Claus~~ Gregg Popovich knows what he’s doing. San Antonio’s record is misleading when you consider how little the starters have played. Patrick Mills’ absence will hurt more than people realize, but come playoff time, San Antonio will still be near the top of the standings as long as they have Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili on the floor. I’m no Robert Sarver, so I won’t make the mistake of doubting the Spurs. Not without wearing a chicken suit, at least.

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