Well that may be because you stop watching once Kobe is eliminated. 2007 the Spurs took the title and also did it with a role player, Fabs Oberto. But really, RC Buford is still riding the wave of Manu and Tony Parker drafts. Ever since then, nothing has impressed and the Scola and Splitter drafts turned out to be disasters.
2008 midseasaon getting Barrdog back from waivers and Kurt Thomas was great, but then you have that coach that you mention is horrible keeping both of them on the playoff bench.