San Antonio Spurs

The San Antonio Spurs are an NBA franchise playing in the Western Conference's Southwest Division. Originally founded as a member of the ABA, the Spurs were one of four ABA teams to join the NBA in 1976. Since 1999, the Spurs have won four titles and are the NBA's closest thing to a dynasty.

The Spurs' star player in the 1970s until the mid-1980s was "The Iceman" George Gervin. He earned his nickname because he didn't break a sweat while scoring in bunches, often using his patented finger-roll move. In 1989, 7-1 David Robinson joined the team and led the Spurs from a 21-61 record to a 56-26 record in his rookie season - at the time the largest single-season turnaround. In the following years, the Spurs were regularly to be found among the West's elite - Robinson won the MVP in 1994 - yet always came up short in the playoffs.

Things changed when the team got the No.1 pick in the 1997 draft and added Tim Duncan to the mix. In the "Twin Towers" first season, San Antonio's won 36 more games than the seasons before - improving their own record. The duo and its supporting cast went on to win the NBA championship in 1999 and 2003 after which Robinson retired.

Wisely drafting international talents like Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker and with an eye for unheralded talents, the Spurs under Coach Gregg Popovich were able to continue their winning ways and were crowned champs in 2005 and 2007. The franchise's success is particularly impressive when you consider that San Antonio has one of the more modest pay-rolls in the League and avoids paying the luxury tax at all costs.

Created by: Ole