Thunder notebook: Can the Spurs win 70 games?

Just don't ask Spurs coach Gregg Popovich about the 70-win plateau.

“No,” Popovich told a member of the visiting media when asked if the milestone has crossed his mind. “Are you still drunk from (New Year's Eve)?

“Now if we lose three in a row you're going to say, ‘Is it time to panic, do you think?' ... Come on.”

Popovich wouldn't even give the matter thought as to whether a 70-win season would be an achievement.

“I wouldn't even give it a moment's thought, now or ever,” Popovich said. “I just think it's a ridiculous thought.”

Moments later, Danny Ferry, the Spurs vice president of basketball operations, emerged from a black door but ran into Popovich's pre-game media session. Before Ferry could excuse himself and duck back in, Popovich stopped his former forward and presented the same question.

“Danny, there was a question about whether we'd win 70 this year,” Popovich said. “Would you like to answer that for me?”

“Well,” Ferry said, “if we don't it's all your fault.”

“If we get any coaching at all probably, right?” Popovich responded. “Thank you, Danny.”

When asked about the development of Russell Westbrook in his third season, Popovich pointed to the Thunder point guard's confidence as the leading factor for this year's improvement.