The year was 1979 and the Spurs were just 3 years old ? at least in NBA years.

The team was coached by Doug Moe and was led by eventual Hall of Famer George Gervin, James Silas and Larry Kenon. The Spurs sparkled with the ABA's balletic offensive finesse.

In the conference finals, they faced a physical batch baked in Eastern ovens. The Washington Bullets boasted the muscling rebounding of Wes Unseld, the offensive power of Elvin Hayes and the lethal scoring of Bobby Dandridge.

"We were definitely a physical team, and we kind of wore them down," said Greg Ballard, a key Bullets reserve, now an assistant coach with the Timberwolves.

The Spurs return to the scene of one of their most bitter playoff losses when they return to the Washington area tonight to take on Michael Jordan and the Wizards.