If the Moneyball Oakland A's were about wise investment strategies and the New England Patriots are regarded as a sound business model, then we should think of the San Antonio Spurs as an effective government.
The greatest testament to a successful political system is the peaceful transfer of power: regime change without strife or bloodshed. That's the way it has been for the Spurs, from David Robinson to Tim Duncan, from Duncan to Manu Ginobili and now Tony Parker. If you want plotting, double-crossing and high-carnage battles, catch "Game of Thrones" on Sundays. San Antonio is a long way from Westeros. With the Spurs, regimes change with neither a fight nor instructions from above.
"I'm very fortunate in that I didn't have to deal with a star's ego," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "I dealt with grown-ups, who had character and prioritization already set in their lives and their values, that sort of thing.
"Timmy came along, David understood his talent and made it very easy for Tim to become the go-to guy. As Tim got older, he understood the value of Manu and Tony and was able to share that spotlight with them. I never had a talk, I never had a discussion, a meeting or anything with any of those guys about that. We just did it. The process kind of morphed along. It's because of their character we were able to do it."
Two-time league MVP Tim Duncan said he has little interest in testing out the free-agent market once his contract ends after this season with the San Antonio Spurs.
Duncan said he hoped to play another one or two seasons in the NBA and that he wouldn't play for any team other than the Spurs, Yahoo! Sports reported Monday.
"Though I shouldn't say that -- I have to threaten them that I'll leave," Duncan joked. "No ... I'm not going anywhere. You can print that wherever you want to. I'm here and I'm a Spur for life."
The 36-year-old has spent his entire 15-year career with the Spurs, winning four championships and being named NBA Finals MVP three times.
Duncan averaged 15.4 points and nine rebounds this regular season and averaged 17.4 points and 9.2 boards in the postseason, helping the Spurs to the Western Conference Finals, where they hold a 1-0 lead over the Oklahoma City Thunder in the best-of-seven series.
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