San Antonio Spurs: Built To Make And Win In Playoffs

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Jun 15, 2014; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs former center David Robinson (center with mic) talks during a timeout from the game against the Miami Heat in game five of the 2014 NBA Finals at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports /

Since 1976-77, Alamo City Has Not Made The Playoffs Four Times

Piggybacking San Antonio making the playoffs 24 of the last 25 years, is the Spurs just missing out on the tournament four times. In 1976-77 San Antonio took their talents from the ABA to the NBA where the Spurs began in the Eastern Conference.

Despite finishing with 44, 52, 48 and 41 wins, San Antonio twice lost in the opening round. In 1977-78 and 1978-79, however, the Spurs made the conference semifinals and conference finals.

Moving over to the West proved to be more difficult right away, although San Antonio did qualify for the postseason their first three years. The Spurs fell in the conference semis and conference finals twice.

Three of the next six seasons, San Antonio failed to make the playoffs and won just an average of 35.5 games per year. The Spurs made the postseason two of those six years, despite only winning 35 and 31 games. San Antonio was swept subsequently during the 1986 and 1988 playoffs after sub-.500 regular seasons.

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