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Bleacher Report released its list of the 99 Best Defenders of All Time, and several Spurs players made the cut. This proves that, regardless of the era, San Antonio always had a knack for picking players who dominated on that end of the floor. The defensive culture they have now is just a continuation of a trend that's always existed within this franchise.
Each Spurs player on the list represents different eras of the NBA. Artis Gilmore and Alvin Robertson dominated throughout the 80s. David Robinson made his defensive impact in the 90s before Tim Duncan took the mantle and ran with it all the way up to the 2010s. Then Kawhi Leonard came along and left his mark, followed by the league's first unanimous DPOY, Victor Wembanyama.
You'll be hard-pressed to find another franchise with such a long history of defensive dominance. They have the second-most DPOY winners ever, sitting closely behind the Detroit Pistons. It makes sense why they've racked up so many championships since the late 90s and could add to that total in the near future.
The Spurs' have more players who can make the list in the future
Upon reading Bleacher Report's ranking, I got goosebumps thinking about how many current Spurs players could end up on that list in the future. Think about Stephon Castle, for example. He was one of the best point-of-attack defenders in the league last season, and he's only going to get better over the years.
There's also Carter Bryant. He played just 11.5 minutes per night as a rookie but still had some great defensive moments. Look no further than the Western Conference Finals, where he did an amazing job using his length and mobility to stifle Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
San Antonio even drafted Jayden Quaintance with the 20th overall pick this summer, and he's primarily known for his versatility on that end of the floor. If health permits, he can raise their ceiling even more.
The Spurs' decades-long trend of selecting elite defensive talent didn't stop at Victor Wembanyama. The tradition continued into this year's draft, so they'll never be at a shortage of players who can generate stops.
The Spurs are proof that defense wins championships
If you hear anyone (foolishly) try to downplay the importance of defense, point them towards the Spurs. Since 1999, they have made seven NBA Finals appearances and collected five titles, largely due to their ability to shut down opponents.
In every championship season, San Antonio ranked no lower than fourth in defensive rating. Whether it was Tim Duncan and David Robinson patrolling the paint or Bruce Bowen agitating perimeter scorers, the Spurs always had options to slow down opponents.
If the Spurs can put together a championship run in 2027, it'll also be due to their elite defensive attack. Wemby's hungry for his second straight DPOY, while Castle and Bryant are itching to earn a spot on the All-Defensive team. I wouldn't expect any fall-off from them on that side of the ball any time soon.
When people talk about the Spurs' culture, it's no fluke. It's the real deal, and that's evident through their commitment to dominating defensively. They haven't abandoned that identity, and it's why they can establish themselves as the league's next dynasty.
Today's best reads
- Victor Wembanyama borrows page from Tim Duncan’s legendary Spurs playbook
- Bleacher Report just massively underestimated Victor Wembanyama’s defensive impact
- The ultimate Spurs scrimmage with the most talented players in franchise history
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- Crafting a lineup of the greatest Spurs rookies in franchise history
This article was originally published on airalamo.com as The Spurs keep proving one championship secret never changes.
