i have only watched a couple minutes of them playing this season so i'm just curious.

jefferson 2nd year?
blair 2nd year?
the big 3?

It's not exactly a 180, by the way. Last year they won 50 and beat a 2 seed in the playoffs. They didn't need that many things to fall into place to be really good.

Jefferson stepping up and good minutes from young backups have been the difference. Bonner playing somewhat competently has helped, as well.

maybe not a 180 but weren't they like a .500 team around this time last year?

Spurs were 15-10 in their first 25 games last year.

Parker and Ginobili started the season injured last year [Duncan missed a couple early games, too] and the Spurs had 3 new major rotational players (McDyess, Blair and Jefferson.)

It seems like the biggest thing is the Spurs big additions from last year have finally found their place in the lineup. The Spurs are just playing well as a team and their confidence level is off the charts.

depth

Deeper bench and ability to hit the 3's.

Duncan, Parker and Manu took the summer off. They're all healthy and fresh. Jefferson came back in better shape and is "buying in".

Plus, Pop has done a hell of a thing. He's got the team playing to their offensive strengths. I never thought I'd see a Popovich team average 106 pts a game. They're running a different type of motion where all 5 guys on the floor are a threat. This is much different than the past where they'd just isolate Parker, Manu or Tim and let them create on their own. Gary Neal has been amazing. Hill has improved. Blair has improved. There's just been an across the board rise of the tide.

I love how some people act like SA came out of nowhere this season. News flash, the Spurs have been solid since winning their last title in '07. 2008 saw them reach the WCF after taking out the favored Hornets in 7 games on the road and Manu Ginobili basically one one leg at the end. '09, Ginobili and Duncan were hurt down the stretch, and Parker put the team on his back and willed them to yet another 50+ win season and almost single handedly kept them in the series vs. the Mavs. 2010 saw the Spurs with major new rotation players, yet they still won 50+ and took out the #2 seed mavs. Now with the Big Three rested and healthy, and with a competent bench to spell them, SA is just tapping into what's been there all along.

Keep it rolling, San Antonio!

Don't think anyone expected the Spurs to be on pace to match the 72 win Bulls team. Everyone expected them to win 50+ games. But looking like they will win 60-70+ games is out there and surprising.

SA looked old in 2006. They looked like Tony Parker and a bunch of over the hill stars on their last leg. Now, 5 seasons later, they still have the same big 3 and are one of the favorites.

Reminds me a lot of what I'm seeing from the Patriots. They just flat-out looked old last season. New Orleans completely embarrassed them. Yet, here they are...

Kinda makes me think that coaching and drafting matter...