Two Asterisks for the Spurs, one for the Lakers

[BRHornet45]

Courtesy of referee Tim Donaghy, the San Antonio Spurs earned their second asterisk-laced NBA title in 2007 and the Lakers earned one in 2002.

The first one for the Spurs was obviously the 1999 NBA title during the hectic strike-shortened season. Bill Simmoms best describes the shammockery that it really was:

This was the excruciating lockout season, when the overmatched player's union -- led by Billy Hunter and Patrick Ewing, who shouldn't have been trusted to handle a bake sale at an elementary school, much less a labor dispute -- had their ensalada tossed by David Stern (at the apex of his power) and limped back to work in early February, followed by a rushed 50-game season in which too many players changed teams and nearly everyone was out of shape, leading to nagging injuries, shoddy basketball and an absolutely hateful season on every level. The rushed playoffs were such a joke that the eighth-seeded Knicks ended up making the Finals before getting trounced by the Spurs...

Much like the 1982 and 1987 Washington Redskins and the 1981 LA Dodgers, the 1999 Spurs can never rank up there with title-holders from full seasons. The "highlight" from the 1999 Finals was a wide open 14-foot baseline jumper by Avery Johnson for crissake... not a key steal or a sick layup, but a W-I-D-E O-P-E-N 14-foot jumper.

Now the Spurs can proudly add a second asterisk to their trophy case for their 2007 title. As many of you already know, Donaghy refereed game 3 of the Western Conference Semifinals between the Spurs and Suns. At the time, many watching the game felt something wasn't quite right about the officiating. Add in Amare's suspension and you get the feeling that the Spurs didn't earn their victory over Phoenix, but were rather handed the title.

So let's make it official and change the listings, here's how it SHOULD be:

NBA Champions Since 1998

1997-98 Chicago Bulls
1998-99 San Antonio Spurs *
1999-00 Los Angeles Lakers
2000-01 Los Angeles Lakers
2001-02 Los Angeles Lakers *
2002-03 San Antonio Spurs
2003-04 Detroit Pistons
2004-05 San Antonio Spurs
2005-06 Miami Heat
2006-07 San Antonio Spurs **
2007-08 Boston Celtics
2008-09 Los Angeles Lakers
2009-10 Los Angeles Lakers
2010-11 Dallas Mavericks

San Antonio Spurs
* Strike-Shortened Season
** Referee Tim Donaghy fixed pivotal Game 3 of the WCSF in the Spurs favor

Los Angeles Lakers
* Referee Tim Donoghy admitted that Game 6 of the WCF was fixed in the Lakers favor

[Isitjustme?]

If this BR guy ever breaks character its gonna be epic imho

[Isitjustme?]

Like I wonder what he actually looks like, does for a living, etc. The man behind the schtick so to speak.

[BRHornet45]

"When we look back at the record books of the modern NBA era, the 1999 season will have an asterisk. That year the league played a shortened season of 50 games due to a lockout and resulted in many teams not competing at high levels. The playoffs that year were the worst that they have ever been in NBA history if you ask me." - Larry Bird

[midnightpulp]

Hey, son, what do you think of the Minneapolis Lakers' 5 championships?

Asterisks on all five of those, considering the league had like 5 teams and only a couple of black players?

[Proxy]

Do you realize that you centralize your life around acting like a moron on a forum?

[BRHornet45]

sons you can hate on me all you want, but the truth is the truth. you simply cannot deny the fact that some championships in sports have been tainted. it just so happens that in modern NBA history the Spurs have two of them. that is all

[midnightpulp]

sons you can hate on me all you want, but the truth is the truth. you simply cannot deny the fact that some championships in sports have been tainted. it just so happens that in modern NBA history the Spurs have two of them. that is all

I don't hate you, son. As long as you know Kobe is, at best, a top 50-75 of all-time, it's all good.

[Venti Quattro]

Well at least those teams with asterisk season/s are relevant...

[LkrFan]

Hey, son, what do you think of the Minneapolis Lakers' 5 championships?

Asterisks on all five of those, considering the league had like 5 teams and only a couple of black players?

:lmao

[Axe Murderer]

son we've been over this a thousand times but the 11 Mavs also deserve an asterisk

[rayjayjohnson]

BR is preaching a helluva sermon.

testify.

[Bill_Brasky]

:lobt::lobt::lobt::lobt:

[eric365]

BR is preaching a helluva sermon.

testify.

His sermon will change a lot if by some miracle NO wins a 50 games season next year

[KobeOwnsDuncan]

The entire Hornets franchise is an asterisk. Along with sue bird

[Venti Quattro]

Spurs* and Lakers*

*championship franchises

*relevant

*have won shit

*isn't on life support from the league

[Dunc n Dave]

He forgot that the Hornets are owned by the NBA, I guess. Every win they "earn" should have an asterisk next to it until that sinking ship is sold to the next sucker.

[Frenzy]

But why u mad..

[WeNeedLength]

But why u mad..

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y47/Jollyblue/BruceHeMad.jpg

[Dex]

"When we look back at the record books of the modern NBA era, the 1999 season will have an asterisk. That year the league played a shortened season of 50 games due to a lockout and resulted in many teams not competing at high levels. The playoffs that year were the worst that they have ever been in NBA history if you ask me." - Larry Bird

Yeah, I'm sure the fact that the players got to skip 32 games of an already-inflated 82-game season really robbed them of their legs and their competitive spirit. :rolleyes

Did every team play? Yes.

Did every team have a chance at the title? Yes.

If history wanted to asterisk the '99 season, then it shouldn't have been played. The fact of the matter is, it was. Everyone had their same shot at that ring, and Spurs came out on top and built a dynasty out of it.

All the asterisk does is make good conversation for sore losers, because it's never going to be on the trophy, on the rings, or in the history books.

[stxspurs]

Preach it brotha dex....preach on !

[pass1st]

Hell, let's give every championship year an asterisk. A W is a W

[Leetonidas]

Courtesy of referee Tim Donaghy, the San Antonio Spurs earned their second asterisk-laced NBA title in 2007 and the Lakers earned one in 2002.

The first one for the Spurs was obviously the 1999 NBA title during the hectic strike-shortened season. Bill Simmoms best describes the shammockery that it really was:

This was the excruciating lockout season, when the overmatched player's union -- led by Billy Hunter and Patrick Ewing, who shouldn't have been trusted to handle a bake sale at an elementary school, much less a labor dispute -- had their ensalada tossed by David Stern (at the apex of his power) and limped back to work in early February, followed by a rushed 50-game season in which too many players changed teams and nearly everyone was out of shape, leading to nagging injuries, shoddy basketball and an absolutely hateful season on every level. The rushed playoffs were such a joke that the eighth-seeded Knicks ended up making the Finals before getting trounced by the Spurs...

Much like the 1982 and 1987 Washington Redskins and the 1981 LA Dodgers, the 1999 Spurs can never rank up there with title-holders from full seasons. The "highlight" from the 1999 Finals was a wide open 14-foot baseline jumper by Avery Johnson for crissake... not a key steal or a sick layup, but a W-I-D-E O-P-E-N 14-foot jumper.

Now the Spurs can proudly add a second asterisk to their trophy case for their 2007 title. As many of you already know, Donaghy refereed game 3 of the Western Conference Semifinals between the Spurs and Suns. At the time, many watching the game felt something wasn't quite right about the officiating. Add in Amare's suspension and you get the feeling that the Spurs didn't earn their victory over Phoenix, but were rather handed the title.

So let's make it official and change the listings, here's how it SHOULD be:

NBA Champions Since 1998

1997-98 Chicago Bulls
1998-99 San Antonio Spurs *
1999-00 Los Angeles Lakers
2000-01 Los Angeles Lakers
2001-02 Los Angeles Lakers *
2002-03 San Antonio Spurs
2003-04 Detroit Pistons
2004-05 San Antonio Spurs
2005-06 Miami Heat
2006-07 San Antonio Spurs **
2007-08 Boston Celtics
2008-09 Los Angeles Lakers
2009-10 Los Angeles Lakers
2010-11 Dallas Mavericks

San Antonio Spurs
* Strike-Shortened Season
** Referee Tim Donaghy fixed pivotal Game 3 of the WCSF in the Spurs favor

Los Angeles Lakers
* Referee Tim Donoghy admitted that Game 6 of the WCF was fixed in the Lakers favor

http://files.sharenator.com/05_cool_story_bro_I_AM_NOT_DIXLESIC-s571x556-148248-580.jpg

[Leetonidas]

I still find it hilarious that some idiots still believe the league rigged series' to get the Spurs to the Finals when they are TV ratings kryptonite. :lol Most "boring" team in the Finals, yep, that's what the league wants.

Oh and let me get it out of the way;


B-b-b-but they are popular internationally :cry :cry :cry

[Halberto]

:lol Leetonidas

[Leetonidas]

:lol Halberto

Yes BR is trolling his schtick is tired and beaten to death. I was speaking more to those who actually believe that shit.

NBA Forum really sucks right now :cry

[mavsfan1000]

http://cdn.videogum.com/files/2010/03/you_mad.jpg

[Leetonidas]

I'm not mad tbh, 2 *titles are better than none and I know BR would gladly swear off those ugly dykes in the WNBA if his team could even sniff an asterisk title

[pass1st]

If there was no 2011-2012 season, would Mavs ring by default? That would need two asterisks.