The Golden State Warriors have rightfully been the team in the NBA with the most attention: They are 31-2 and on pace to eclipse the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls' 72-10 record. Every second of attention they get is well deserved because they have been nothing short of phenomenal. However, did you know that there is another team in the NBA that is just 3 games off their incredible pace? If you did not, let me introduce you to the San Antonio Spurs, who are 29-6 and currently riding a 4 game winning streak, having won 9 of their last 10 games.
The Spurs may not have started the season on a league-record winning streak like the Warriors, but they too are playing as good of basketball as any team in the NBA, including the Warriors. Today's game against the Rockets was a perfect example. The Spurs won handily by a final score of 121-103 with five guys scoring in double figures, four of which scored at least 18 points. LaMarcus Aldridge has found a perfect home as their new low-post threat for the future and Kawhi Leonard is very quietly leading the NBA in three-point field goal percentage.
The Spurs are just as team centered as the Warriors, which is why they are hot on their coattails. They move the ball with ease, find the open man for the easy shot, and turn the ball over just 13.5 times per game. They lead the league in field goal percentage, are second in three-point percentage (behind the Warriors), and are second in assists per game (also behind the Warriors).
The Spurs are playing just as good of basketball as they have ever been playing and if it wasn't for the Warriors playing out of this world basketball, the Spurs would be the #1 seeded team in the Western Conference. While it's great that the Golden State Warriors have brought a ton of excitement to the NBA at a time when most people are focused on the NFL or college football, it's somewhat of a shame to see the San Antonio Spurs' sensational play go unnoticed to the casual sports fan. The Spurs are a team that everybody knows is really good while also not getting much attention. It's a weird world that they live in.
However, I think the San Antonio Spurs are probably ok with everybody sleeping on them. They like to do things surgically and quietly. That's the Spurs way. They don't look all that intimidating when they walk onto the basketball court, but when they start to play, they slice up opponents like they are fruit and their opponents leave the game not knowing what happened to them.
While the Spurs would prefer to fly under the radar, you being aware of their incredible play is good for your overall knowledge of the NBA. Don't be an uneducated fan who isn't aware of the damage being done by the San Antonio Spurs. Be one of those fans who knows the Spurs are just as much in the mix for the NBA championship as the Warriors.
To be clear, I think the Golden State Warriors are the best team in the NBA and they are currently my pick to win the 2016 NBA championship. But, if there is one team out there who I would have to pick to dethrone them, it would be the San Antonio Spurs. As a matter of fact, they are the only team who I think has a legitimate shot at doing so.
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