SAN ANTONIO >> Even as he collected NBA championships and set endless records, Kobe Bryant viewed the Spurs from afar with some envy.
Though Bryant won five of his NBA championships during a three-peat (2000-2002) and back-to-back run (2009, 2010), he also experienced three missed playoff appearances and played for seven different coaches. Meanwhile, the Spurs won five NBA titles, all with Gregg Popovich coaching and Tim Duncan dominating without missing the playoffs.
Bryant traced that consistency to Popovich and the Spurs front office, which he likened to the New England Patriots.
“They’re very clear on what the identity is of this team,” Bryant said.