San Antonio Spurs
Team of Note
1997-1998 San Antonio Spurs
Record: 56-26Overall ranking: 226th, 3.420 points above average
The San Antonio Spurs’ stormy 1996-1997 season produced the ultimate silver lining: San Antonio received the rights to the No. 1 overall selection in the 1997 NBA Draft.
The Spurs used the choice to select franchise forward Tim Duncan out of Wake Forest.
The arrival of Duncan and the return of David Robinson helped San Antonio make an immediate turnaround.
The Spurs went 56-26 during the 1997-1998 season. San Antonio set an NBA record for biggest single-season improvement with a 36-win jump. Duncan claimed Rookie of the Year honors. The season laid the foundation for the Spurs’ NBA titles in 1999, 2003 and 2005.
The Spurs broke the record for biggest single-season improvement set by the 1989-1990 San Antonio squad under remarkably similar circumstances. The Spurs suffered through a then-franchise-worst 21-61 season during the 1988-1989 campaign. Robinson, the No. 1 overall selection in the 1987 draft, spent the year completing his Naval Academy obligations.
Robinson made his debut during the 1989-1990 season, and helped San Antonio to a 56-26 record.
San Antonio Spurs From Top to Bottom
| All-time Ranking | W-L | Playoffs | ||
| 17 | 2006-07 | San Antonio Spurs | 58-24 | NBA champion |
| 25 | 2000-01 | San Antonio Spurs | 58-24 | West finals |
| 29 | 2004-05 | San Antonio Spurs | 59-23 | NBA champion |
| 37 | 1998-99 | San Antonio Spurs | 37-13 | NBA champion |
| 40 | 2003-04 | San Antonio Spurs | 57-25 | West semifinals |
| 62 | 2005-06 | San Antonio Spurs | 63-19 | West semifinals |
| 85 | 2001-02 | San Antonio Spurs | 58-24 | West semifinals |
| 92 | 1995-96 | San Antonio Spurs | 59-23 | West semifinals |
| 98 | 1999-00 | San Antonio Spurs | 53-29 | West first round |
| 100 | 1994-95 | San Antonio Spurs | 62-20 | West finals |
| 112 | 2002-03 | San Antonio Spurs | 60-22 | NBA champion |
| 137 | 1993-94 | San Antonio Spurs | 55-27 | West first round |
| 142 | 1978-79 | San Antonio Spurs | 48-34 | East finals |
| 177 | 1990-91 | San Antonio Spurs | 55-27 | West first round |
| 236 | 1989-90 | San Antonio Spurs | 56-26 | West semifinals |
| 238 | 1997-98 | San Antonio Spurs | 56-26 | West semifinals |
| 260 | 1977-78 | San Antonio Spurs | 52-30 | East semifinals |
| 264 | 1982-83 | San Antonio Spurs | 53-29 | West finals |
| 298 | 1991-92 | San Antonio Spurs | 47-35 | West first round |
| 348 | 1980-81 | San Antonio Spurs | 52-30 | West semifinals |
| 358 | 1992-93 | San Antonio Spurs | 49-33 | West semifinals |
| 396 | 1981-82 | San Antonio Spurs | 48-34 | West finals |
| 515 | 1984-85 | San Antonio Spurs | 41-41 | West first round |
| 538 | 1976-77 | San Antonio Spurs | 44-38 | East first round |
| 624 | 1979-80 | San Antonio Spurs | 41-41 | East first round |
| 640 | 1983-84 | San Antonio Spurs | 37-45 | |
| 792 | 1985-86 | San Antonio Spurs | 35-47 | West first round |
| 996 | 1987-88 | San Antonio Spurs | 31-51 | West first round |
| 1004 | 1986-87 | San Antonio Spurs | 28-54 | |
| 1093 | 1988-89 | San Antonio Spurs | 21-61 | |
| 1133 | 1996-97 | San Antonio Spurs | 20-62 | |