Giving the Spurs Their Due

   For the third year in a row, the Spurs have one of the NBA's two best records. And for the third year in a row, no one is talking about them. And while this San Antonio team will never be measured on regular season accomplishments, it's time to talk about just how good they are.
   After beating Chicago, the NBA's other max-effort team, the Spurs now have the best record in the league at 41-12. They've won 14 of their last 15 games. But perhaps more impressively, they've done it without Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobli for long portions of this stretch. The reason: Mr. Tony Parker.
   Parker, who's conveniently never mentioned as a top point guard, has elevated his play amid these injuries to Duncan and Ginobli. If the MVP voting were held today, Parker would finish third. Right behind LeBron and Durant. That's good company.
   Parker is carrying the scoring load for the Spurs, and yet it hasn't effected his playmaking. When he's not hitting shots, he's driving into the lane, then finding open teammates for 3's. But Parker didn't even play last night, and the Spurs still went to Chicago and beat a good Bulls team. The reason: Gregg Popovich.
   We know Pop is the best coach in the NBA, which makes it very hard for him to still get recognition for his coaching. Seemingly every year, Popovich could win Coach of the Year. His ability to keep a team competitive no matter who's on the court is unmatched. Which is why the Spurs can compete without their stars. I mean, remember this game?
   And it's not just his preparation and motivation that sets Pop apart. He's the decision-maker on draft day when the Spurs find steals such as Parker, Ginobli and Kawhi Leonard. He's resurrected the careers of Boris Diaw and Danny Green. When Duncan retires, the greatest era of Spurs basketball will be over, and he will thank his coach before all others.
   So, what'a ahead for San Antonio? Probably a bunch of easy wins and then a top-two seed in the West. But it matters what they do from there. After losing to the eight-seed Grizzlies in 2011 and blowing a 2-0 series lead to the Thunder last year, the current Spurs need to step up their game in the playoffs.
   The Spurs know by now that they don't get their due credit. All they can do is win a championship. Then maybe people will notice them.