Why a player would not want to play for the SPURS

[DaBears]

i am just thinking outloud here, but i listening sports radio here in SA, and around the league(other NAB cities) and wonder why does SA shoot themeleves out of chances on getting big top tier talent in trades or free agency..

Listening to the radio, and tv so called experts seem to always count the SPURS out of all BIG name players, as if were not good enough of a city to have a Lebron James here or Dwyane Wade..

Seriously i get tired of hearing that kind of talk from so-called experts. Sports talk radio here in SA is a prime example of this.. Not calling anyone out here "ticket760" morning show.. But show some dam pride for this city and respect it.. SA might not have the nights lights of NY, or the windy city but dont sell us short..

CAn anyone think of a reason why top tier stars would want to come here.. :lobt2::lobt2::lobt2::lobt2:

[Chomag]

Spurs have been blessed to have the talent that has come. Spurs being such a small market is probebly the major turn off from those high profile Free agents.

[NRHector]

for some players $>:lobt:

[Dex]

Pros
Chance to contend for a title
Play with Big 3 and Pop
Main attraction - only Pro team in town
No State Tax

Cons
Small market = lower tv ratings = less advertising $s
Fiscal owners
Less excitement - life can be pretty nice being a multimillionaire in LA or NY or Miami
Geography - San Antonio is nice...but it's still flat, hot, and hours from the nearest beach.

[CubanMustGo]

You forgot one Con:

Pop is not going to kiss your ass.

[ajh18]

There are several reasons, not all of which I agree with.

One, SA is a relatively small (national) market. Television coverage, endorsement deals, and alternative revenue sources are smaller for the same contract (although Texas' tax status does help).

The city is also not as "glamorous" in terms of nightlife, beaches, clubs, etc. NY, LA, Miami, Chicago... we're not in that tier.

I think one of the biggest reasons, though, is no superstar coming to SA gets to be "The Guy." In SA, you're joining an established core. You aren't starting something fresh, you're joining the best PF ever to play the game, on his team. We actually DO manage to get a lot of older players and role players that want to win and dont mind not being "the guy" anymore. Finley, Glenn Robinson, Dyess, even Rasho... mid-tier free agents who are role players or no longer stars DO want to come here.

I think SA is an awesome city. Almost everyone who DOES come here falls in love with it, and many players end up coming back to live here. We have a wonderful blend of culture, diversity, nice weather, friendly people, good food, cheap cost of living, and some luxury too (if you know where to look). It's a big city with small town charm. But until we are really a team looking for a superstar to define the Spurs, I don't see the big name guys coming here to be a piece of the puzzle, even if it's the main piece.

[sananspursfan21]

Pros
Chance to contend for a title
Play with Big 3 and Pop
Main attraction - only Pro team in town
No State Tax

Cons
Small market = lower tv ratings = less advertising $s
Fiscal owners
Less excitement - life can be pretty nice being a multimillionaire in LA or NY or Miami
Geography - San Antonio is nice...but it's still flat, hot, and hours from the nearest beach.

true. and, have you seen the kind of coverage that duncan and gino get? 90% of the nba commercials don't feature them, let alone other companies (nike, adidas...state farm). tony parker is only slightly high profile cuz of you know who

[boutons_deux]

Manu already has Christus Santa Rosa locked up.

HEB ads are locked up, too.

Lots of little Mexican girls, even if they are all obese.

[DaBears]

On a serious note what happens when Duncan, Ginobli, Parker are gone what does SA have to oofer then... Hopefully we wont turn into the memphis Grizzles, or Toronto Raptors and become on extinct...

[dbestpro]

Try living in Arizona and you will say a 2 hour drive to the beach is like being across the steet.

[TMTTRIO]

We're a small market and they wouldn't get the endorsements that they can get elsewhere. Also they really can't be in a position to be the Man on the team with all the talent there is where they could be the main man on another team. I've always wondered if Manu was on another team would he still be the most hated player in the NBA and would people keep calling him the biggest floppers in the league when there are players who are worse.

[Seventyniner]

Vets who want a chance at a ring (Finley, G. Robinson, Van Exel, McDyess, Willis, etc) love the Spurs, obviously. Same with the Celtics the last few years.

Big name FAs aren't going to want to come to SA because the Spurs are over the cap, and it's actually not very easy to force a sign-and-trade to a city of your choice.

[ginobilized]

I know San Antonio is a "small" market, but, it's the 7th largest city in the country. I think it's more about the culture of the Spurs organization than the city itself. Pop's disciplined approach might not be for everyone. Understatement intended.

[HankChinaski]

who wouldn't want to come into a town of ignorant fatties with a attraction called the riverwalk that is dirty and polluted like it's citizens.

[da_suns_fan]

Pros
Chance to contend for a title
Play with Big 3 and Pop
Main attraction - only Pro team in town
No State Tax

Cons
Small market = lower tv ratings = less advertising $s
Fiscal owners
Less excitement - life can be pretty nice being a multimillionaire in LA or NY or Miami
Geography - San Antonio is nice...but it's still flat, hot, and hours from the nearest beach.

Im not sure thats a "Pro". If the "big three" are on the team theres not a lot of shots left for another star.

Just ask Richard Jefferson.

[tsb2000]

Pop won't baby anyone. You think LBJ (or Amare, or etc.) would put up with the hard-nosed practices and ass chewings the current players (including Duncan) get? Guess what happens to you in SA when your defense is lazy? Exactly that! Pop has a ZERO BS policy here. None of those fools want to come here to work hard and play defense, much less be a part of a real team. They want to score 30-40 a night and get on Sportscenter, regardless of whether they win or lose.

You gotta be a man to play here, not a whiny overpaid wannabe champion.

[JamStone]

I think the NBA will continue to live off of markets like Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami/Orlando, Boston, Phoenix, perhaps Philly (to an extent), and even New York. Players want to live in those cities. If you look at major free agents (max caliber type players), if they don't re-sign with the team they were drafted by, it's rare they sign with any team other than the above mentioned. That's not just San Antonio, but almost all other cities other than the major, major markets. Even a team that has been horrible for a decade like the Knicks has a better chance to sign a big name free agent than a lot of other cities, like Memphis or Milwaukee or Minneapolis. Having a great team and a rich history should be and generally is a factor, but it's not the only one. Players are always going to consider money and standard of living and exposure, as well as the possibility of winning. I don't think that's going to change anytime soon.

But also as far as the Spurs go right now, I think even as much as the things I just mentioned, a big name free agent "right now" would also probably consider the ages of both Tim and Manu and how big they perceive the window of title contention is with the Spurs. The chance at winning a championship would definitely be a lure, but the possibility of not having a very good team 2-3 years down the road after Duncan and/or Ginobili are done could also heavily influence their decision not to try to go there. And again, it's not like San Antonio currently has cap space or any leverage to try to get a sign and trade to happen.

I'm still pretty down on the Pistons using a big chunk of their cap space last summer on Ben Gordon. But in some ways, I also understand it because no matter what rumors were out there, I don't see how Detroit and the Pistons would have been a target destination for any of the big name free agents like LeBron, Wade, Bosh, or Amare. Bosh maybe, but still a longshot. Joe Johnson maybe, but his addition alone wouldn't have got me all that excited for the team.

As great as the Spurs have been over the past decade+, their success has been predicated largely on their ability to have drafted several great players, not through free agency and trades. They've made a few shrewd moves in those areas, but no major one that really stands out as the thing that put them over the top. It was still Duncan. It was still Ginobili. It was still Parker. The closest thing may have been picking up Stephen Jackson, but even that wasn't the move that necessarily put them over the top.

[The Truth #6]

1. Their stats will go down.
2. They'll have to play defense.
3. San Antonio is not as exciting a place to live as compared to other cities (retiring here is the opposite, because your money goes a long way).
4. We aren't as good anymore.
5. We usually try to lowball our players.

[bus driver]

dirty creek that runs through downtown?

[lotr1trekkie]

San Antonio is like Green Bay. Before free agency you could build a team based on smart management and a great coach. For most of the posters, they can't remember sports with FA. Althought it infringed on player movement, it did make icons in their own cities. Bird playing for 5 other teams. Or Magic or MJ. Kobe has stayed because Buss has given him anything he wants and whenever he wants it[see wife]. SA has been blessed the two of the best men/athletes in NBA history. If the trend continues there will be only a half a dozen franchise who can compete. Fist full of fifties solves all.

[Agloco]

Can anyone think of a reason why top tier stars would want to come here.


My short answer is no.

The long answer involves all manner of economics and marketing, most of which doesn't even occur to 98% of people who discuss these things.

[fyatuk]

I know San Antonio is a "small" market, but, it's the 7th largest city in the country. I think it's more about the culture of the Spurs organization than the city itself. Pop's disciplined approach might not be for everyone. Understatement intended.

City size is a dumb stat to pay attention to.

San Antonio is 27th in metro population and 37th in market size. That's the biggest reason. San Antonio is a small market and cannot afford to bring in multiple big name stars that aren't "home grown" so to speak.

But, the Spurs have been lucky to have quite a few people who were among the best at their position. George Gervin, David Robinson, Tim Duncan, Manu, Tony Parker, etc. It's hard for a top tier play to be willing to take the second (or third or fourth) position on a team, especially a small market team.

[Xevious]

While San Antonio is a fairly large city, it has a small town mentality. It's a nice place to move to if you want to cut your living expenses down, but it isn't a sexy city at all for multi-millionaires who want/need attention. Basketball players can say they want titles, but money will always be more important.

Can you imagine Lebron in an HEB or GUNN Nissan commercial?

[toki9]

On a serious note what happens when Duncan, Ginobli, Parker are gone what does SA have to oofer then... Hopefully we wont turn into the memphis Grizzles, or Toronto Raptors and become on extinct...



Not much. We're seeing the end of golden years for the Spurs. We should just enjoy and appreciate these years as fans.

[silverblk mystix]

I believe the city has a lot to do with it.

Remember when people here were trying to convince themselves and everyone else, that Maggette should choose S.A. over other cities? Maggette chose Golden State. Has anyone spent any time in the Bay area? It is freakin gorgeous and if I were a multi-millionaire I would definitely buy property there in Marin County or even S.F.
The area is beautiful, the women are hot,young,single,in-shape, and the flavors of women run the gamut of all kind of exoticness....geez...no wonder he chose G.S.
Well, fuck Maggette anyway, but most FA's will definitely look at the city and the way of life.

San Antonio my have its charms and some positives-but if you are a young millionaire,there probably are a lot of cooler choices.

Finally, IF it were only about basketball I believe San Antonio would be one of the-if not THE best basketball/career choices because the organization/players/coaching/fans--is the best in the NBA-IMHO.

[Mel_13]

I believe the city has a lot to do with it.

Remember when people here were trying to convince themselves and everyone else, that Maggette should choose S.A. over other cities? Maggette chose Golden State. Has anyone spent any time in the Bay area? It is freakin gorgeous and if I were a multi-millionaire I would definitely buy property there in Marin County or even S.F.
The area is beautiful, the women are hot,young,single,in-shape, and the flavors of women run the gamut of all kind of exoticness....geez...no wonder he chose G.S.
Well, fuck Maggette anyway, but most FA's will definitely look at the city and the way of life.

San Antonio my have its charms and some positives-but if you are a young millionaire,there probably are a lot of cooler choices.

Finally, IF it were only about basketball I believe San Antonio would be one of the-if not THE best basketball/career choices because the organization/players/coaching/fans--is the best in the NBA-IMHO.

GS gave him 5yrs/48M, the Spurs couldn't offer more than the MLE.

[coyotes_geek]

I believe the city has a lot to do with it.

Remember when people here were trying to convince themselves and everyone else, that Maggette should choose S.A. over other cities? Maggette chose Golden State. Has anyone spent any time in the Bay area? It is freakin gorgeous and if I were a multi-millionaire I would definitely buy property there in Marin County or even S.F.
The area is beautiful, the women are hot,young,single,in-shape, and the flavors of women run the gamut of all kind of exoticness....geez...no wonder he chose G.S.
Well, fuck Maggette anyway, but most FA's will definitely look at the city and the way of life.

San Antonio my have its charms and some positives-but if you are a young millionaire,there probably are a lot of cooler choices.

Finally, IF it were only about basketball I believe San Antonio would be one of the-if not THE best basketball/career choices because the organization/players/coaching/fans--is the best in the NBA-IMHO.

I think the extra $20 million Maggette got from the Warriors might have had some kind of an influence on his decision.

[silverblk mystix]

GS gave him 5yrs/48M, the Spurs couldn't offer more than the MLE.

True. ...but the city also plays into anyone's decision and Maggette had already lived in L.A...so going to the bay area probably seemed more appealing and has a lot of the same things to offer as he had in l.a...imo

[BadMotorscooter]

Because this is Texas. We dont offer the bright lights and fast paced cities as an L.A., Chicago or New York or beach paradise cities like Miami. Just look at Dallas and Houston...their best players in their franchise came through the draft...Dirk for Dallas and Olajuwon for Houston. Duncan and Robinson for us. When ever any one of the big 3 cities in Texas landed a player it was through the draft or trade. Like Drexler and Barkley going to Houston. Jefferson to us. Kidd to Dallas. The monster free agents shun Texas. We still give off that bible thumping vibe. And we need to stop that. Its time to stop watching money leave Texas in huge amounts. Like building Casinos. Miami has 'em. L.A. too. New York? Yep. Us? Nope. 60% of the money that goes to Vegas comes from Texas. Just think about that. Thats money could be going towards Texas interest'...instead we'd rather watch it leave the state because we think its evil to gamble. lol...went off on a rant there, but that is why we are a small market...and in essence...Texas is still small in alot of peoples and players minds who dont live here. We havent learned how to open up.

[tsb2000]

Honestly, I don't think city comes into play except for a few places. I don't think SA is one of them. It's a smaller place, yes, but it's reasonably diverse and close to many other cities. Salt Lake City, Utah, on the other hand, is a very hard sell for pro athletes.

[vander]

Pros
Main attraction - only Pro team in town
No State Tax

Cons
Play with Big 3 and Pop
Small market = lower tv ratings = less advertising $s
Fiscal owners
Less excitement - life can be pretty nice being a multimillionaire in LA or NY or Miami
Geography - San Antonio is nice...but it's still flat, hot, and hours from the nearest beach.

edited for truth