only two franchises truly qualify as a dynasty -- the Boston Celtics, who, absurdly, won 11 championships in 13 seasons from 1957 to 1969 during the Bill Russell days, and Jordan's Chicago Bulls, who won six les in eight years (the franchise's only championships) from '91 to '98.
Overall, the Celtics have won 16 les (though a contemporary cynic would have to note that not a single one has come since '86). That career record is challenged only by the Lakers, who have 14 championships, five of them when the team was in Minneapolis, which was the dominant franchise in the NBA's first decade. But the Lakers have never had a true dynasty. They won five les from '80 to '88, a tremendous achievement to be sure, but they clearly shared the decade with the Celtics, who won three les in seven seasons. And they would've needed a couple more with the Shaquille O'Neal-Kobe Bryant combo to meet the dynasty standard in the early years of this century.
Which brings us to the Spurs. Four les in nine years in an era of free agency and revolving-door coaches is a monumental accomplishment. Tim Duncan and Gregg Popovich have been around for all four. Duncan's complementary pieces (Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, Bruce Bowen) have been there for the last three. One thing the Spurs have not done, however, is repeat, a fact pointed out to Popovich on Thursday night.
"Will that be extra motivation for next season?" he was asked.
"I don't give a ," Pop said with a smile.
My guess is, he does. And if the Spurs win again, we'll resume this conversation.
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