Even without MVP candidate Kawhi Leonard on Thursday, the San Antonio Spurs took care of Houston in convincing fashion to advance to the Western Conference finals.
It's the 10th time the Spurs have made it to the conference finals under coach Gregg Popovich since he took over in 1996, a level of sustained success that can barely be comprehended.
For added perspective, the Spurs PR team tweeted an amazing statistic that shows just how good the Spurs have been under Popovich. After defeating D'Antoni and the Rockets in the second round on Thursday, the grizzled veteran becomes the first coach in NBA history to win a playoff series against 14 different Western Conference teams.
Gregg Popovich becomes the first coach in NBA history to win a playoff series against 14 different Western Conference teams.
— Jordan Howenstine (@AirlessJordan) May 12, 2017
That is ... borderline unbelievable.
During Pop's tenure, the Spurs have won five NBA titles. And even against a loaded team like the Warriors in the Western Conference finals, ruling out the Spurs would be a level of disrespect that, frankly, no one will show toward Popovich.
He's one of the greatest to ever do it. And now, he could be four wins away from achieving the unthinkable.
