Spurs vs Jazz: San Antonio ousted from playoffs for the first time since '99, fans say 'future still looks bright'
And the epic 22-year playoff run for the San Antonio Spurs came to an end on Thursday, August 13, after they were eliminated following their 112-118 loss to Utah Jazz. But hey, nothing about this year comes as a surprise or a shocker anymore. That said, it has been a rich run for the Spurs and there are some major achievements for the team during their playoff streak. For starters, they tied for the longest playoff streak in the history of the NBA. They notched up 170 playoff wins and 1228 regular-season wins. Oh, and five championships (Stats via SportsCenter).
Needless to say, Twitter was a mixture of pride and disappointment at the same time. While the Spurs fans were heartbroken, they were still a proud lot who could still hold their heads high considering the massive achievements from the team over the last two decades.
First up, it was all respect. "That being said, it was a hell of a feat for two-plus decades, so respect for that," wrote one of the fans.
That being said, it was a hell of a feat for two-plus decades, so respect for that.
— Jean-TheGuardian, First of My Name 🗡 (@JeantheGuardian) August 14, 2020
And for the Spurs fans, there was and will always be hope. "Would of been in the playoffs if Forbes wasn’t starting majority of the season. Future looks bright for the Spurs," read one of the comments.
Would of been in the playoffs if Forbes wasn’t starting majority of the season. Future looks bright for the Spurs.
— Eric C. (@EricCisneros210) August 13, 2020
But not all could hide their disappointment and they had their reasons for the loss. "Ever since trading away Kawhi, it’s been a myriad of bad moves for the Spurs organization. They gave bad contracts to mediocre players & failed with their draft picks ever since. It has finally caught up to them. They used to be the model organization for the NBA to emulate," a fan opined.
Ever since trading away Kawhi, it’s been a myriad of bad moves for the Spurs organization. They gave bad contracts to mediocre players & failed with their draft picks ever since. It has finally caught up to them. They used to be the model organization for the NBA to emulate.
— Jeremiah Santos (@iamjemsantos) August 14, 2020
However, the compliments outweighed the bitterness. "22 years of making the playoffs The @spurs and Pop are just a special Basketball Organization and evening a way better Person in Pop that man can coach a snail to sprint"
22 years of making the playoffs The @spurs and Pop are just a special Basketball Organization and evening a way better Person in Pop that man can coach a snail to sprint
— ┌П┐(◣_FLARE_◢)┌П┐ (@FlareGod360) August 14, 2020
And one more: "I will take the last 22 years being a Spurs fan over the last 22 years being a fan of any professional franchise in any sport anywhere in the world. #GoSpursGo"
I will take the last 22 years being a Spurs fan over the last 22 years being a fan of any professional franchise in any sport anywhere in the world. #GoSpursGo
— Steven Polanco (@sjp2010) August 14, 2020
"This NBA postseason will be the first time the San Antonio Spurs will not be playing in the last 22 years. They’ve made the Playoffs 22 years in a row, winning 5 championships during that time. Kudos to that organization," read one of the tweets.
This NBA postseason will be the first time the San Antonio Spurs will not be playing in the last 22 years. They’ve made the Playoffs 22 years in a row, winning 5 championships during that time.
— Kyle Bowe 🧠✏️ (@KyleBowe4) August 14, 2020
Kudos to that organization.
Their loss though kept the Memphis Grizzlies and the Phoenix Suns alive. And while they may have been out of the race, there's no reason to rule this team out yet.
What are your thoughts on the epic playoff run the Spurs enjoyed?