Skip to main content

CSN Bay Area

HOME  >  NEWS  >  SPORTS
Warriors prepare to face idol San Antonio Spurs
Share This Post
Comments
Friday, March 21, 2014 - 4:15pm
Follow @MontePooleCSN

Programming note: Spurs-Warriors coverage starts Saturday at 7 p.m. with Warriors Pregame Live, only on Comcast SportsNet Bay Area (territory restrictions apply)

OAKLAND – The Warriors compete against the Trail Blazers and the Mavericks and the Suns and the Thunder. They're annoyed by the Kings and irritated by the Rockets.

They detest the Clippers.

When turning in the direction of the Spurs, the Warriors practically genuflect.

[RELATED: Instant Replay: Warriors tempt fate in narrow win over Bucks]

The Warriors so revere the Spurs it's as if their Wheaties box is decorated with San Antonio's team photo, or their bedroom walls are covered with posters of Tim Duncan and Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili. Excuse the Warriors for doing hourly online searches of the Spurs. They want to grow up and become the Spurs.

The Warriors are growing; they're on the brink of their second straight playoff appearance and are 18 games over .500 for the first time since 1993-94. But nothing measures the rate of their growth better than confronting the Spurs, who invade Oracle Arena on Saturday night.

Warriors general manager Bob Myers concedes the Spurs are a "pretty good example to follow.'' Coach Mark Jackson, describing the Spurs as having "excellence across the board,'' credits coach Gregg Popovich for his deft handling of a roster constantly being adjusted around stars Duncan, Parker and Ginobili.

"It starts with a great basketball mind, one of the greatest coaches – not basketball, but coaches in the history of sports – in Pop,'' Jackson said after practice Friday. "It's what he does, the example he sets, and then great leadership with some Hall of Famers, first and foremost Tim Duncan and obviously, Tony and Manu and the great players surrounding them.

"The Whole organization is a model. And they deserve a lot of credit for how they continue to set the bar. It's awfully impressive.''

[RELATED: Warriors show progress, earn ugly win over Bucks]

This fascination certainly ripened last spring, when the Warriors pushed the Spurs to six games in the Western Conference semifinals. The Spurs eventually advanced to the NBA Finals, where they lost to Miami in a fabulous seven-game series.

Then there is one-sided Warriors-Spurs history. The Spurs have spent the past 16 years treating the Warriors like irascible little brothers to stuff into a closet and cover with rags before closing the door. San Antonio has won 50 of the past 58 games and has swept the Warriors in four of the past five seasons.

Make that five of the past six seasons if the Warriors can't find a win on Saturday or April 2 in San Antonio. The Spurs have won the first two games this season.

The gap, however, has narrowed considerably. Both Warriors losses this season were by 2 points, 76-74 on Nov. 8 in San Antonio and 104-102 on Dec. 19 in Oakland. The little brother is sprouting up.

"We've beaten them in the past,'' shooting guard Klay Thompson said. "It's just . . . it's more mental when you have to play 48 minutes. You can have lapses against not-very-good teams. When you play an elite team, you can't have those. When you play somebody like the Spurs, you've just to got to play every possession.''

That's a part of the tried and true Spurs formula, and it has resulted in four championships since 1998. They've made the playoffs in 16 consecutive seasons, with only three first-round exits.

The Spurs are the model NBA organization, the Apple of the league. They may be the ideal organization in all of professional sports. They play hard and smart and with dignity. They thrive despite change, progress through evolution. They don't talk trash or make bold predictions or end up on mug shots.

And the minute you start believing they finally have gotten too old, they go out and prove otherwise.

"I don't think anybody looks at them and says, "We want the Spurs,' '' Jackson said. "But one thing we know is we've had success. We play them well. They're a great basketball team but they're in the Western Conference. So they're a team that, one way or another, if you plan on getting somewhere, you have to be able to deal with.''

As great as the Spurs have been, no perennially successful American sports franchise is harder to hate. Which, I suppose, is all the more reason to want to be like them.

NBCBayArea.com

There is no data to display.

Video

Inside the Paint: Slow start dooms Warriors vs. Spurs
Niemi puts loss to Capitals behind him
McLellan: Capitals' goals were 'puck-luck'
O'Neal: 'To beat Spurs, you've gotta play full 48 minutes'

Giants

Giants option Kontos, reassign Runzler as bullpen picture clears
Sandoval turns down Giants' three-year, $40 million offer
Giants place Tony Abreu on release waivers
Padres' Johnson out 4-5 weeks with forearm strain
Read More

Athletics

Chavez allows five runs in A's split squad loss to Cubs
A's option Freiman, Lindblom, Leon to Triple-A
Gray to start opener; Cook, Gentry to open season on DL
Vogt homers twice to power A's past Mariners
Read More

Sharks

Sharks try to squeeze some rest into hectic schedule
Sharks suffer hard-luck shootout loss to Capitals
Instant Replay: Sharks stumble vs. Capitals, lose in SO
Sharks hope to avoid emotional letdown vs. Caps
Read More

49ers

Baalke: 'Jim and I work very well together'
Baalke: 49ers have not contacted Eagles about Jackson
49ers Mailbag: Can't keep 'em all
Report: Eagles willing to release DeSean Jackson
Read More

Raiders

Davis: LA something I've thought about, haven't pursued
Allen: Raiders didn't sign 'mascots and hood ornaments'
Allen: Schaub gives Raiders options in NFL draft
Jets cut Mark Sanchez, sign Michael Vick
Read More

Warriors

Rewind: Restlessness returns after W's loss to Spurs
Instant Replay: Warriors fall to shorthanded Spurs
Western Watch: Grizzlies' D stifles Pacers
Western Watch: Blazers lose by 30 to Bobcats
Read More

NCAA

Saint Mary's bounced from NIT with 63-55 loss to Minnesota
Stanford hangs on to upset Kansas for spot in Sweet 16
Report: Kansas center Joel Embiid out against Stanford
Stanford beats New Mexico to advance to Round of 32
Read More
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLB Standings
  • Buy Giants Gear
  • Buy Giants Tickets
  • Amy G.
  • Insider Andrew Baggarly

Latest News

Giants option Kontos, reassign Runzler as bullpen picture clears
Andrew Baggarly

More Stories

Sandoval turns down Giants' three-year, $40 million offer
(5)
Giants place Tony Abreu on release waivers
(2)
See more >

GIANTS VIDEO

Giants Confidential: 1-on-1 with Sergio Romo
Giants Confidential: 1-on-1 with Sergio Romo
See more >

GIANTS TALK

Padres' Johnson out 4-5 weeks with forearm strain
Giants notes: Bochy finds new threat for his bench

GIANTS INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLB Standings
  • Buy Athletics Gear
  • Buy Athletics Tickets

Latest News

Chavez allows five runs in A's split squad loss to Cubs
Associated Press

More Stories

A's option Freiman, Lindblom, Leon to Triple-A
Gray to start opener; Cook, Gentry to open season on DL
(3)
See more >

A's VIDEO

A's Confidential: 1-on-1 with Josh Reddick
A's Confidential: 1-on-1 with Josh Reddick
See more >

A's TALK

Vogt homers twice to power A's past Mariners
With three openings, A's bullpen competition heats up

A's INSIDER JOE STIGLICH

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NHL Standings
  • Buy Sharks Gear
  • Buy Sharks Tickets
  • Insider Kevin Kurz

Latest News

Sharks try to squeeze some rest into hectic schedule
(1)
Kevin Kurz

More Stories

Sharks suffer hard-luck shootout loss to Capitals
(3)
Instant Replay: Sharks stumble vs. Capitals, lose in SO
(1)
See more >

SHARKS VIDEO

Niemi puts loss to Capitals behind him
Niemi puts loss to Capitals behind him
See more >

Features

Sharks hope to avoid emotional letdown vs. Caps
Sharks proud of playoff streak, but want more

SHARKS INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NBA Standings
  • Buy Warriors Gear
  • Buy Warriors Tickets

Latest News

Rewind: Restlessness returns after W's loss to Spurs
(57)
Monte Poole

More Stories

Instant Replay: Warriors fall to shorthanded Spurs
(12)
Western Watch: Grizzlies' D stifles Pacers
See more >

WARRIORS VIDEO

Inside the Paint: Slow start dooms Warriors vs. Spurs
Inside the Paint: Slow start dooms Warriors vs. Spurs
See more >

Features

Western Watch: Blazers lose by 30 to Bobcats
O'Neal active, Iguodala remains out vs. Spurs

WARRIORS INSIDER

  • Rewind: Restlessness returns after W's loss to Spurs
  • Instant Replay: Warriors fall to shorthanded Spurs
  • O'Neal active, Iguodala remains out vs. Spurs
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NBA Standings
  • Buy Kings Gear
  • Buy Kings Tickets

Latest News

Cousins leads Kings to 124-107 win over Bucks
CSN Bay Area staff

More Stories

Royce White 'in a different place' with Kings
(3)
Kings outclassed by first place Spurs in 99-79 loss
(2)
See more >

Watch

Highlights: Kings no match for league-best Spurs
Highlights: Kings no match for league-best Spurs
See more >

Features

Report: White could make Kings debut on Friday
Kings look to end Spurs' 11-game winning streak

Fantasy Hoops

  • The Daily Dose: Dose: Durant's Triple-double
  • PRO BASKETBALL TALK
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NFL Standings
  • Buy 49ers Tickets
  • Buy 49ers Gear
  • Insider Matt Maiocco

Latest News

Baalke: 'Jim and I work very well together'
(24)
Matt Maiocco

More Stories

Baalke: 49ers have not contacted Eagles about Jackson
(82)
49ers Mailbag: Can't keep 'em all
(86)
See more >

49ers VIDEO

Miller: 'I really wanted to be a part of the 49ers moving forward'
Miller: 'I really wanted to be a part of the 49ers moving forward'
See more >

WEEKLY REWIND

Rewind: 49ers just 'an inch or two' away from Super Bowl
(67)
Matt Maiocco

49ers INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NFL Standings
  • Buy Raiders Tickets
  • Buy Raiders Gear
  • Insider Scott Bair

Latest News

Davis: LA something I've thought about, haven't pursued
(2)
Scott Bair

More Stories

Allen: Raiders didn't sign 'mascots and hood ornaments'
(7)
Jets cut Mark Sanchez, sign Michael Vick
(1)
See more >

RAIDERS VIDEO

YSTL: Why is Matt Schaub the right fit for Raiders?
YSTL: Why is Matt Schaub the right fit for Raiders?
See more >

WEEKLY REWIND

Raiders Rewind: Overmatched vs. Broncos
(29)
Scott Bair

RAIDERS INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLS Standings
  • MLS Player Leaders
  • Buy Quakes Gear
  • Buy Quakes Tickets

Top Story

Dwyer's PK in 57th lifts Sporting KC over Quakes 1-0
Associated Press

More Stories

Quakes face reigning MLS champs seeking first win
Lockout of MLS referees ends with five-year deal
(1)
See more >

Watch

Homegrown Tommy Thompson ready for 'next level' with Quakes
Homegrown Tommy Thompson ready for 'next level' with Quakes
See more >

Shop

ANDREW BAGGARLY

Giants option Kontos, reassign Runzler as bullpen picture clears
See more >

MONTE POOLE

Rewind: Restlessness returns after W's loss to Spurs
(57)
See more >

MATT MAIOCCO

Baalke: 'Jim and I work very well together'
(24)
See more >

SCOTT BAIR

Davis: LA something I've thought about, haven't pursued
(2)
See more >

KEVIN KURZ

Sharks try to squeeze some rest into hectic schedule
(1)
See more >

CASEY PRATT

RAY RATTO

Schaub investment one half of Raiders' culture-changing plans

TOP STORIES

  • Rewind: Restlessness returns after W's loss to Spurs
  • Instant Replay: Warriors fall to shorthanded Spurs
  • Western Watch: Grizzlies' D stifles Pacers

AFF

Enter here for the chance to win a pair of tickets to Authentic Fan Friday!

AFT

Click here to buy your Sharks tickets in the Authentic Fan Thursday section!



Authentic Opening Day

Authentic Opening Day

Join us at AT&T on March 31st to watch the Giants @ Diamondbacks on the big screen!

Click here for more information.

NCAA

Stanford beats New Mexico to advance to Round of 32
UCLA lands 2015 top QB recruit

MORE

  • SaberCats
  • Preps
  • Biz Ball
  • Fight Sports
  • Motor Sports
  • Golf
  • Tennis
  • Ray Ratto

 

TICKETS

  • Giants Tickets
  • A's Tickets
  • 49ers Tickets
  • Raiders Tickets
  • Warriors Tickets
  • Kings Tickets
  • Sharks Tickets
Curry Jersey
Giants Fitted Hat
49ers Hoodie

Mega Menu: Shop

  • Giants
  • A's Shop
  • 49ers
  • Raiders Shop
  • Warriors
  • Kings Shop
  • Sharks Shop

Mega Menu: Shop - Tickets

  • Giants Tickets
  • A's Tickets
  • 49ers Tickets
  • Raiders Tickets
  • Warriors Tickets
  • Kings Tickets
  • Sharks Tickets

Latest Videos

Inside the Paint: Slow start dooms Warriors vs. Spurs
Inside the Paint: Slow start dooms Warriors vs. Spurs
See more >

ONLINE SHOWS

  • Buster Knows Squat
  • Romo's Relief
  • Humm BB
  • Diamond Girls
  • Bullshootin'
  • Amy G.’s Exclusives
  • Learning with the Pros

TV SHOWS

  • All Videos
  • SportsNet Central
  • Yahoo SportsTalk Live
  • CSN Talent

INSIDERS

  • Ray Ratto - Senior Insider
  • Andrew Baggarly - Giants
  • Matt Maiocco - 49ers
  • Scott Bair - Raiders
  • Monte Poole - Warriors
  • Kevin Kurz - Sharks
  • Casey Pratt - Field of Teams
  • TV Schedule - Bay Area and California
  • Channel Locations - Bay Area
  • Channel Locations - California