Spurs was in the Eastern Conference until 1980

[Doctor J]

Guys,

Team Spurs was a part of the Eastern Conference until the 1980 season.

Similarly, Milwaukee Bucks was in the Western Confernece until 1980.


Can anybody tell me how in the world San Antonio club in Texas was happened to be in the Eastern Conference?

[SenorSpur]

All I can say, is it that is was part of the alignment agreement when the 4 former ABA teams were brought into the NBA back in 1976. It was thought to be the best geographical alignment structure, at that time.

Back then, there were only 22 teams and 4 Divisions. The four former ABA teams, that were being merged into the NBA, were split between the two conferences (Eastern and Western). The then New York Nets (now New Jersey) and San Antonio Spurs were placed in the Central Division of the Eastern Conference. While both Indiana & Denver were placed in the Midwest Division of the Western Conference. Odd, I know.

Interesting point is the Spurs were in a division with Houston, Washington, Cleveland, New Orleans (now Utah Jazz) and Atlanta. Here's what it looked like:

http://www.nba.com/history/standings/19761977.html

1976-77

Eastern Conference

Atlantic Division
Philadelphia 76ers
Boston Celtics
New York Knickerbockers
Buffalo Braves
New York Nets

Central Division
Houston Rockets
Washington Bullets
San Antonio Spurs
Cleveland Cavaliers
New Orleans Jazz
Atlanta Hawks

Western Conference

Midwest Division
Denver Nuggets
Chicago Bulls
Detroit Pistons
Kansas City Kings
Indiana Pacers
Milwaukee Bucks

Pacific Division
Los Angeles Lakers
Portland Trail Blazers
Golden State Warriors
Seattle SuperSonics
Phoenix Suns

In 1980, the NBA realigned its divisions again by moving the Spurs, Houston, Denver, Kansas City (now Sacramento), Utah (formerly New Orleans) and the newly formed Dallas Mavericks to the Midwest Division of the Western Conference. The Central Division was realigned to resemble more of what it currently looks today, as Indiana, Cleveland, Detroit, Milwaukee, Chicago & Atlanta, all moved over to this division of the Eastern Conference.

http://www.nba.com/history/standings/19801981.html

1980-81

Eastern Conference

Atlantic Division
Philadelphia 76ers
Boston Celtics
New York Knickerbockers
Washington Bullets
New Jersey Nets

Central Division
Milwaukee Bucks
Chicago Bulls
Indiana Pacers
Atlanta Hawks
Cleveland Cavaliers
Detroit Pistons

Western Conference

Midwest Division
San Antonio Spurs
Kansas City Kings
Houston Rockets
Denver Nuggets
Utah Jazz
Dallas Mavericks

Pacific Division
Phoenix Suns
Los Angeles Lakers
Portland Trail Blazers
Golden State Warriors
San Diego Clippers
Seattle SuperSonics

Interesting note: In 1978, Detroit was moved to the Central Division of the Western Conference, replacing Washington, which moved to the Atlantic Division. Imagine the Spurs and Detroit as Division rivals?

Another note: Over the course of the many realignments, the Atlantic and Pacific divisions teams pretty much resembled the way they look today.

[FromWayDowntown]

The pre-1980 alignment made the Spurs one of the few franchises to appear in both the Eastern Conference Finals (1979) and the Western Conference Finals (1982, 1983, 1995, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2008).

[Lakers_55]

I think the post above by SenorSpur is probably the best answer. Sometimes, divisions are set up to preserve rivalries and to attempt talent balance. The latter will change however.

Example: In baseball, the original National League divisonal split in 1969 placed Chicago and St. Louis in the east, and Cincinatti and Atlanta in the west, although the Reds and Braves are located geographically more eastern. The reason was the rivalry between the Cubs and Cardinals allowed them to play more games against each other each season by putting them in the same division. True, the Braves and Reds could have gone to the east instead, but then the question of balance of power may come into play.

[Trainwreck2100]

The Cowboys are in the NFC East, and the Carolina Panthers are in the NFC south, happens.

[Lakers_55]

The Cowboys are in the NFC East, and the Carolina Panthers are in the NFC south, happens.

Yeah, that's to preserve their rivalries with the Giants and the Redskins. If the latter two aren't in a division with Dallas anymore, that shows how I don't follow the NFL much.

[Doctor J]

SenorSpur and Lakers_55,

Thanks for your answers.

I appreciate that.

[mrspurs]

All I can say, is it that is was part of the alignment agreement when the 4 former ABA teams were brought into the NBA back in 1976. It was thought to be the best geographical alignment structure, at that time.

Back then, there were only 22 teams and 4 Divisions. The four former ABA teams, that were being merged into the NBA, were split between the two conferences (Eastern and Western). The then New York Nets (now New Jersey) and San Antonio Spurs were placed in the Central Division of the Eastern Conference. While both Indiana & Denver were placed in the Midwest Division of the Western Conference. Odd, I know.

Interesting point is the Spurs were in a division with Houston, Washington, Cleveland, New Orleans (now Utah Jazz) and Atlanta. Here's what it looked like:

http://www.nba.com/history/standings/19761977.html

1976-77

Eastern Conference

Atlantic Division
Philadelphia 76ers
Boston Celtics
New York Knickerbockers
Buffalo Braves
New York Nets

Central Division
Houston Rockets
Washington Bullets
San Antonio Spurs
Cleveland Cavaliers
New Orleans Jazz
Atlanta Hawks

Western Conference

Midwest Division
Denver Nuggets
Chicago Bulls
Detroit Pistons
Kansas City Kings
Indiana Pacers
Milwaukee Bucks

Pacific Division
Los Angeles Lakers
Portland Trail Blazers
Golden State Warriors
Seattle SuperSonics
Phoenix Suns

In 1980, the NBA realigned its divisions again by moving the Spurs, Houston, Denver, Kansas City (now Sacramento), Utah (formerly New Orleans) and the newly formed Dallas Mavericks to the Midwest Division of the Western Conference. The Central Division was realigned to resemble more of what it currently looks today, as Indiana, Cleveland, Detroit, Milwaukee, Chicago & Atlanta, all moved over to this division of the Eastern Conference.

http://www.nba.com/history/standings/19801981.html

1980-81

Eastern Conference

Atlantic Division
Philadelphia 76ers
Boston Celtics
New York Knickerbockers
Washington Bullets
New Jersey Nets

Central Division
Milwaukee Bucks
Chicago Bulls
Indiana Pacers
Atlanta Hawks
Cleveland Cavaliers
Detroit Pistons

Western Conference

Midwest Division
San Antonio Spurs
Kansas City Kings
Houston Rockets
Denver Nuggets
Utah Jazz
Dallas Mavericks

Pacific Division
Phoenix Suns
Los Angeles Lakers
Portland Trail Blazers
Golden State Warriors
San Diego Clippers
Seattle SuperSonics

Interesting note: In 1978, Detroit was moved to the Central Division of the Western Conference, replacing Washington, which moved to the Atlantic Division. Imagine the Spurs and Detroit as Division rivals?

Another note: Over the course of the many realignments, the Atlantic and Pacific divisions teams pretty much resembled the way they look today.

Agreed.