Archive Tim Duncan and David Robinson were already championship veterans when this photo was taken in 2003.

It's time for a history lesson. With the Spurs in search of their fourth NBA championship in the past nine seasons, we got to thinking. How much has changed during that period?

Since the Spurs claimed the title in the strike-shortened season of 1999, we've endured the Y2K scare, braved the *NSYNC era and watched former hottie Britney Spears melt down before our very eyes. Our collective taste in music has shifted, new movie franchises have been born, and the Internet has gone from novelty to household fixture. Taking all that into consideration, let's take a trip through time and examine pop culture as it stood during each of the Spurs' NBA Finals appearances.

JUNE 2007

Spurs' Finals opponent: Cleveland Cavaliers
Series result: We'll see, but you know who we're all rooting for.
In theaters: “Ocean's Thirteen”
On the radio: “Umbrella,” Rihanna featuring Jay-Z
In the news: The war in Iraq drags on and Paris Hilton goes to jail, two items that truly provide a lesson in contrast.
Popular TV show: “American Idol”
The 210 take: LeBron vs. the Spurs might be the only thing to excite us in a summer filled with lackluster sequels, formulaic summer jams, rising gas prices and ever-increasing heat.
 
JUNE 2005

Spurs' Finals opponent: Detroit Pistons
Series result: 4-3, Spurs
In theaters: “Batman Begins”
On the radio: “We Belong Together,” Mariah Carey
In the news: Michael Jackson is acquitted of all charges in his child molestation trial. Jackson, nevertheless, remains creepy.
Popular TV show: “American Idol”
The 210 take: Mariah sort of rebounds from the brink of insanity, and the Spurs rebound from a disappointing 2004 postseason to claim the title. All is well with anyone who likes the Spurs or simply prefers their women a little on the crazy side.

JUNE 2003

Spurs' Finals opponent: New Jersey Nets
Series result: 4-2, Spurs
In theaters: “Finding Nemo”
On the radio: “21 Questions,” 50 Cent featuring Nate Dogg
In the news: “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix,” the fifth book in the series, is released; Martha Stewart is indicted for using privileged investment information and obstructing a federal investigation.
Popular TV show: “American Idol”
The 210 take: While Martha Stewart was about to earn some street cred by serving hard time, the Spurs earned some past-due respect by winning their first non-strike-shortened title.

JUNE 1999

Spurs' Finals opponent:New York Knicks
Series result: 4-1, Spurs
In theaters: “Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me”
On the radio: “Nookie,” Limp Bizkit
In the news: Texas Gov. George W. Bush announces he will seek the Republican party's nomination for president of the United States; the buzz for the bogus Y2K computer problem commences.
Popular TV show: “Friends” (hey, “American Idol” wasn't on yet)
The 210 take: Limp Bizkit, Austin Powers and Ross and Rachel ruled pop culture, a players' strike shortened the NBA season and Bush was preparing to lead our country. In hindsight, maybe June 1999 was not our shining moment.

Clint Hale | 210SA