Spurs about to surpass Lakers for highest all-time winning percentage

Season after season, it's foolishly predicted that the San Antonio Spurs' dominance in the Western Conference will finally falter.

"Their age has caught up with them."

"The rest of the West is stronger than ever."

Etc., etc., etc...

And time after time, the Spurs prove everyone wrong and find themselves sitting first or second in the West once the playoffs roll around. Such is the case this season, and such will likely be the case next season.

It's remarkable how a franchise from an less traditional sports market has been able to punch so far above their weight, and maintain a level of stability that's the envy of every other NBA team.

But in the next two days, San Antonio's legacy has a chance to reach another level. A win against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday, combined with the Los Angeles Lakers losing to the Dallas Mavericks on Friday, will allow the Spurs to overtake the Lakers for highest all-time franchise winning percentage. As it stands, both teams possess a win-loss percentage of 61.5.

Make note that the accomplishment doesn't include stats from the American Basketball Association, which existed from 1967 to 1976. That was the league in which the Spurs' existence began as the Dallas Chaparrals.

A large part of San Antonio's success obviously comes down to the trio of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili, who have won three championships together. But Duncan has been around slightly longer than the other two, and his ability to win really is in a category of its own.