duncan228
06-10-2010, 04:59 PM
Schmidt, Saenz Rank Among Top Team Docs (http://www.nba.com/spurs/features/100609_rodriguez.html)
Ken Rodriguez
Paul Saenz claims a love for the Spurs that pre-dates his tenure as a team doctor, a relationship that goes back to the days of finger rolls and a legend named Ice.
On Valentine’s Day 1982, Saenz proposed to his girlfriend. After securing a "yes," he drove his fiancé to a Spurs game. "That’s how we celebrated," he recalls.
Sixteen years later, Saenz and his wife were entering Fiesta Texas when his cell phone rang. The caller, orthopedic surgeon David Schmidt, made a proposal: Would you consider joining the Spurs as a team doctor?
"Hold on a sec," Saenz said. Then, turning to his wife, he calmly explained: "I have an opportunity to become a team doctor for the Spurs."
She offered no words. Only a look, an expression that spoke so clearly a discussion never took place.
"I'll take it," Saenz told Schmidt.
Twelve years and four NBA championships later, their partnership ranks among the league's best. In a little-known NBA statistic that measures team health -- fewest games and practices missed by players -- the Spurs consistently score well. "We've been in the top five the past several years," Schmidt says. "We want to be No. 1 -- the team with the least number of game days lost."
Keep Reading... (http://www.nba.com/spurs/features/100609_rodriguez.html)
Ken Rodriguez
Paul Saenz claims a love for the Spurs that pre-dates his tenure as a team doctor, a relationship that goes back to the days of finger rolls and a legend named Ice.
On Valentine’s Day 1982, Saenz proposed to his girlfriend. After securing a "yes," he drove his fiancé to a Spurs game. "That’s how we celebrated," he recalls.
Sixteen years later, Saenz and his wife were entering Fiesta Texas when his cell phone rang. The caller, orthopedic surgeon David Schmidt, made a proposal: Would you consider joining the Spurs as a team doctor?
"Hold on a sec," Saenz said. Then, turning to his wife, he calmly explained: "I have an opportunity to become a team doctor for the Spurs."
She offered no words. Only a look, an expression that spoke so clearly a discussion never took place.
"I'll take it," Saenz told Schmidt.
Twelve years and four NBA championships later, their partnership ranks among the league's best. In a little-known NBA statistic that measures team health -- fewest games and practices missed by players -- the Spurs consistently score well. "We've been in the top five the past several years," Schmidt says. "We want to be No. 1 -- the team with the least number of game days lost."
Keep Reading... (http://www.nba.com/spurs/features/100609_rodriguez.html)