duncan228
11-30-2009, 11:26 PM
Full-Court Press: Showing holiday cheer to some Spurs foes (http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/Full-Court_Press_Showing_holiday_cheer_to_some_Spurs_fo es.html)
By Jay Nanda - Express-News
Ray Allen
Comes to town: Thursday
Spurs fans' wrath: The Boston Celtics shooting guard was often critical of former Spurs All-Defensive team member Bruce Bowen's “tactics” when Allen played with the Seattle SuperSonics and Milwaukee Bucks. Allen claimed Bowen occasionally tripped opponents intentionally and that he would purposely move into a player attempting a shot so that the shooter would land on Bowen's feet, potentially leading to ankle or knee injuries.
Reason to clap: Allen's 2-year-old son, Walker, was diagnosed with diabetes during the Celtics' 2008 NBA Finals victory over the Los Angeles Lakers. Allen and his son spent most of last week's Thanksgiving in the hospital when Walker fell ill. Hours after he was released, they went back to the hospital when Walker began vomiting in the middle of the night. When Allen decided his son had recovered enough, he joined the Celtics on a four-game road trip that began Sunday night in Miami. Walker began to cry as his father left but reportedly stopped when told he could watch his father's game on TV. Not exactly an easy time or decision for the Celtics sharpshooter.
Derek Fisher
Comes to town: Jan. 12 and March 24
Spurs fans' wrath: 0.4 in 2004. 'Nuff said. Oh, and there was that no-call foul against Brent Barry in the 2008 Western Conference finals.
Reason to clap: Like Allen, the Lakers guard has had his share of difficult moments regarding a child's health. As a member of the Jazz during the 2007 playoffs, Fisher's then-11-month-old daughter was diagnosed with retinoblastoma, a degenerative and rare form of eye cancer, which required an emergency three-hour surgery and chemotherapy at a New York hospital. Fisher flew cross country back to Salt Lake City during a playoff game against the Warriors and entered in the third quarter to a standing ovation. But at season's end, Fisher, now president of the NBA Players' Association, asked the Jazz to release him from his contract so he could relocate to a team and city that had specialists that could help fight his daughter's condition. When Fisher re-signed with the Lakers, Utah fans booed the man with whom they had once empathized and labeled him a traitor.
Shaquille O'Neal
Comes to town: March 26
Spurs fans' wrath: Where do we begin?
Reason to clap: Aside from the former Cole High School star's early-career disses of David Robinson and Tim Duncan, dominance with the Lakers, slew of movies, reality shows and rap albums, Shaq's charitable contributions have been as enormous as his 7-foot-1, 325-pound frame. The latest? The Cavaliers center paid for a 5-year-old North Carolina girl's funeral last week after being touched by watching news coverage of her case.
By Jay Nanda - Express-News
Ray Allen
Comes to town: Thursday
Spurs fans' wrath: The Boston Celtics shooting guard was often critical of former Spurs All-Defensive team member Bruce Bowen's “tactics” when Allen played with the Seattle SuperSonics and Milwaukee Bucks. Allen claimed Bowen occasionally tripped opponents intentionally and that he would purposely move into a player attempting a shot so that the shooter would land on Bowen's feet, potentially leading to ankle or knee injuries.
Reason to clap: Allen's 2-year-old son, Walker, was diagnosed with diabetes during the Celtics' 2008 NBA Finals victory over the Los Angeles Lakers. Allen and his son spent most of last week's Thanksgiving in the hospital when Walker fell ill. Hours after he was released, they went back to the hospital when Walker began vomiting in the middle of the night. When Allen decided his son had recovered enough, he joined the Celtics on a four-game road trip that began Sunday night in Miami. Walker began to cry as his father left but reportedly stopped when told he could watch his father's game on TV. Not exactly an easy time or decision for the Celtics sharpshooter.
Derek Fisher
Comes to town: Jan. 12 and March 24
Spurs fans' wrath: 0.4 in 2004. 'Nuff said. Oh, and there was that no-call foul against Brent Barry in the 2008 Western Conference finals.
Reason to clap: Like Allen, the Lakers guard has had his share of difficult moments regarding a child's health. As a member of the Jazz during the 2007 playoffs, Fisher's then-11-month-old daughter was diagnosed with retinoblastoma, a degenerative and rare form of eye cancer, which required an emergency three-hour surgery and chemotherapy at a New York hospital. Fisher flew cross country back to Salt Lake City during a playoff game against the Warriors and entered in the third quarter to a standing ovation. But at season's end, Fisher, now president of the NBA Players' Association, asked the Jazz to release him from his contract so he could relocate to a team and city that had specialists that could help fight his daughter's condition. When Fisher re-signed with the Lakers, Utah fans booed the man with whom they had once empathized and labeled him a traitor.
Shaquille O'Neal
Comes to town: March 26
Spurs fans' wrath: Where do we begin?
Reason to clap: Aside from the former Cole High School star's early-career disses of David Robinson and Tim Duncan, dominance with the Lakers, slew of movies, reality shows and rap albums, Shaq's charitable contributions have been as enormous as his 7-foot-1, 325-pound frame. The latest? The Cavaliers center paid for a 5-year-old North Carolina girl's funeral last week after being touched by watching news coverage of her case.