SAS

#5 – San Antonio Spurs
2003 NBA Champions

Number 5 Seed: Western Conference

03spurs

After winning the first title in franchise history in 1999, the San Antonio Spurs were coming off three straight disappointing seasons. Before the season, Superstar C David Robinson announced that this would be his final season, hoping he would be able to go out on top. When the season started, the team struggled. With a new mix of veterans & young kids, the Spurs looked destined for a early-playoff exit. However, reigning league MVP Tim Duncan reigned his team back into focus. The Spurs ripped through the league in the 2nd half of the season, winning 32 of their final 38 games in route to 60 wins and the number one seed. Once the playoff started, the Spurs faced the young Phoenix Suns in the first round. After losing Game 1, thanks to a Stephon Marbury buzzer-beater, the reminder of past playoff failures started to creep in. The Spurs would dismantle the Suns in the next two games, before closing out the series in Game 6. In the semi-finals, the LA Lakers awaited them. After winning the first two, the Spurs lost the next two, setting the series at 2-2. After a nail-biting Game 5, the Spurs blew-out the Lakers in Game 6, beating the reigning three-time NBA Champions. In the West Finals, the Spurs would face the 60-win Mavericks. After losing Game 1 in heartbreaking fashion, the Spurs would win the next three games, before closing out the Mavericks in Game 6. Back in the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999, the Spurs would face the New Jersey Nets. The Spurs would win Game 1, but lose Game 2 and home court advantage. Once again, the Spurs would win the next three games, before closing out the Nets in Game 6 to win the NBA title. Tim Duncan won NBA Finals MVP & League MVP for the first time in his career.

2003 Playoff Stats

Playoff Record: 16 wins, 8 losses
Points Per Game: 94.8 | Opponents PPG: 89.2 | Difference: +5.6
Offensive Rating: 103.7 | Defensive Rating: 97.7 | Difference: +6.0

Full 2003 Spurs Stats available here

The Real MVP

Spurs celebrate — **Tim Duncan:** 24.7 ppg, 15.4 rpg, 5.3 apg, 3.3 bpg, 53% FG (Finals MVP)

NBA 2K17 Roster & Ratings

Bold indicates starter

PF – Tim Duncan (95)
C – David Robinson (84)
SG – Manu Ginobili (84)
PG – Tony Parker (83)
SF – Bruce Bowen (81)
SG – Stephen Jackson (77)
SG – Steve Smith (75)
PF – Malik Rose (74)
PG – Speedy Claxton (74)
C – Kevin Willis (70)
PG – Steve Kerr (70)
PF – Danny Ferry (68)
C – Mengke Bateer (66)

2K17 Tournament Results

First Round (Best-of-7)

(4) 2014 San Antonio Spurs vs (5) 2003 San Antonio Spurs

Results coming on 8/31/17