Predicting 2013-14 Western Conference Standings Pre-Free Agency

No. 6 Seed – San Antonio Spurs (2012-13 – No. 2 Seed)

Jun 13, 2013; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs point guard Tony Parker (9) talks with power forward Tim Duncan (21) and small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) during the second quarter of game four of the 2013 NBA Finals against the Miami Heat at the AT

The San Antonio Spurs have not missed the playoffs since the 1996-97 season. They have established a dynasty around future Hall of Famers Gregg Popovich, Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili, but that dynasty will have to come to a close.

Ginobili has already discussed retiring after this season, and Parker has suggested that a championship win this season might be the end of the Duncan era. Popovich has also indicated that he will leave with Duncan. Of course the Spurs have young talents like Kawhi Leonard, Cory Joseph, Danny Green and Tiago Splitter, but without the Big Three, they will drop in the standings.

Even if the Spurs were to lose Duncan, Pop and Ginobili, I don’t see Parker allowing the Spurs’ ship to sink.