The San Antonio Spurs are in danger of missing the playoffs for the first time in 21 seasons, thanks to a wild tornado of a race in the Western Conference and the injury woes they've faced all season long.

Yet it's the captain of this ship, head coach Gregg Popovich, who has shined the brightest through his coaching through the series of obstacles this season has brought his way.

The Spurs are an implacable 25-6 against sub .500 teams, winning nearly 81 percent of their outings against teams they should beat — a large reason why they are still on the playoff hunt and holding on for dear life in sixth place in a virtual tie with the New Orleans Pelicans.

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According to Marc Stein of The New York Times, this very fact has saved their season and has had rival executives and coaches praising the 69-year-old, saying he is doing one of his best coaching jobs in recent memory.

San Antonio has dealt with the absence of star forward Kawhi Leonard for the majority of the season, along with injuries to Rudy Gay, who the team acquired this summer. Not to mention a passing of the torch from longtime leader Tony Parker to young prospect Dejounte Murray at the point guard position.

Yet, throughout this series of variables, Popovich has remained the lone constant — always patient and unequivocal of his belief that wins come through good basketball, not only the pieces on the court.