Gregg Popovich and the San Antonio Spurs won't make the playoffs in 2019-20.
It's the first time the legendary head coach and the Spurs won't be in the postseason since the 1996-97 season, per Marc Stein of the New York Times.
It'll be official in mere minutes: The first sub-.500 season for Gregg Popovich since 1996-97 is also the Spurs' first non-playoff season since (you guessed it) 1996-97
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) August 13, 2020
The Spurs went 20-62 during the 1996-97 season. Since then, they've arguably been the most successful team in the NBA, winning five championships and a bevy of games during the regular season.
During the Spurs' 22-season playoff run, Popovich won 50 games 13 times, 60 games six times and went to 10 Western Conference Finals, per K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago.
With Suns finishing 8-0 in Bubble Ball, RIP to the Spurs' 22-season playoff run.
—5 NBA titles.
—10 Western Conference finals.
—6 60-win seasons.
—13 50- win seasons.Impressive stuff.
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) August 13, 2020
Moving forward, it will be interesting to see what happens with the Spurs. Popovich is said to be taking a year by year approach with his career and San Antonio All-Star shooting guard DeMar DeRozan can become a free agent this offseason and leave town if he declines his 2020-21 player option.
DeRozan and fellow All-Star LaMarcus Aldridge are two aging stars in the league. Some believe the Spurs are better suited to trade DeMar and LaMarcus and embark on a build. It's unknown if Popovich has interest in coaching a rebuilding team, though.
The Spurs were able to make the playoffs in 2018-19 in Year 1 without Kawhi Leonard. However, they lost to the Denver Nuggets in the first round and now are missing out on the postseason completely this season.
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