March Kindness

With March Madness in full swing in the college ranks, another “madness” has over-taken the Spurs fans — the brutal Spurs’ March schedule.

Indeed the Spurs schedule this month and in particular this week appears daunting. They will face off against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Los Angeles Lakers, Cleveland Cavaliers, and the Boston Celtics. All playoff bound teams.  Yes, this is a “March Madness” for the Spurs and their fans.

This week has Spurs fans worried and rightfully so. When it comes to playing the “cream of the crop teams” and against the “bottom of the barrel” teams this season, they are as predictable as Tim Duncan going for a bank shot. Losing to above .500 teams while beating sub .500 teams seems to be the norm.

If this is indicative of how the Spurs will fare this week, then it won’t reassure Spurs fans. However, history is on the Spurs side when it comes to playing in the month of March.

Since the end of the “David Robinson era” and the beginning of the “Tim Duncan era,” the Spurs have played well during the month of March.

Here are the Spurs’ records for the month of March since 2003:

• 2003-2004: 11-5
• 2004-2005: 10-5
• 2005-2006: 12-4
• 2006-2007: 13-2
• 2007-2008: 12-6
• 2008-2009: 9-8

As you can see, the Spurs come out of March with a winning record and in each of those seasons they have made it to the post-season. Comforting to know heading into the next few games and since the Spurs are barely hanging onto the 7th seed in the Western Conference playoff race over the Portland Trailblazers by a half game.

Take it for what it is worth and try to cool any Spurs March madness you may have. Sure this week is what I consider a “gut-check” for the team but recent franchise history is on their side. So far they haven’t disappointed. Granted they did lose to the Atlanta Hawks in overtime but they are still 8-3 for this month.