SI article mentioning the spurs and tanking in 97

[Johnny RIngo]

I don't think the '97 draft pool was ever considered "deep". I remember that Duncan was widely considered the one and only prize of that draft.

Duncan probably would have went first in '96 if he declared after his Junior year. Probably top 5 if he declared after his 2nd year in college.

[Spurs and Mavs fan]

If they tanked, it was the best and greatest tank in history. I'd hope they'd do it again if they went back again in a time machine.

[Johnny RIngo]

I was pretty sure the Spurs were going to wind up with KVH. You can imagine my relief and elation.
Billups would've been an upgrade, as would a few of those players, but there was no one else outside of Tim that would have improved the Spurs significantly.

Assuming SA never got Duncan, they're probably still a 50 win team up until 2000. Portland more than likely wins the 'ship in '99. Not sure about after that as DRob was in decline mode by then. Lakers probably four-peat.