The Spurs front office did not fare well in a recent poll conducted by The Athletic.
SAN ANTONIO — For over two decades, the San Antonio Spurs front office dominated the four major leagues – NBA, NFL, MLB, and NHL.
With consistent winning, rosters that saw deep playoff runs, and five titles along the way, the Spurs front office of the franchise’s glory days always had the team on the winning path.
But times have changed.
According to a poll of 40 executives and coaches from the four major leagues by The Athletic, the Spurs’ front office ranks low. They are tied for 40th with the Houston Texans, which puts them in the middle of the rankings.
“The San Antonio Spurs were the class of the NBA for nearly two decades, an almost unbelievable reign,” The Athletic posted. “While the Spurs have hit some potholes in recent years and transitioned into rebuilding mode (adding Victor Wembanyama with the No. 1 pick in the 2023 draft helps), they still maintain respect around the league.”
Every franchise in any league will experience a transition period. From the Michael Jordan-led Bulls of the 1990s to the Dallas Cowboys during the Troy Aikman, Michael Irving, and Emmitt Smith era, the Spurs are not immune to rebuilding.
The current front office has put the team in a good position to emerge from the rebuild on solid footing. From drafting Wembanyama and Stephon Castle to accumulating a war chest of draft picks, the Spurs could be back among the league’s best sooner rather than later if the front office makes the right moves.
BECKY HAMMON SHOUTS OUT MANU GINOBILI
Former San Antonio Spurs assistant coach Becky Hammon was a guest on ESPN’s NBA Today show and discussed the Suns’ Bradley Beal and his fit on Phoenix.
When it was her turn to weigh in on the topic, she brought up her favorite bench player – Manu Ginobili – and how Beal can play a similar role for the Suns.
“I’m going to go to my favorite bench player, Manu Ginobili,” she said. “Manu is a Hall of Famer. You can get to where you want to go, and at the end of the day, success is all that matters.”
Said Hammon: “Kudos to him (Beal) for moving to the bench and doing whatever it takes for his team to win.”
Ginobili is arguably the greatest NBA Sixth Man. He had the skill set to be worthy of a starter (and he was to start his NBA career). But his willingness to sacrifice for the team’s betterment led to San Antonio rattling off four NBA titles during his time as a Spur.
Ultimately, he was named the 2008 NBA Sixth Man of the Year for his effort.