Spurs Fans, Do You Realize What You Have?

[MR-Clutch]

(http://www.thevangundy.com/spurs-fans-realize/)Spurs fans are never satisfied.


At some point during the 29 point romping of the Trailblazers in Game 1 that prompted TNT’s Kevin Harlan to say, “the score doesn’t even look real,” I read this on Twitter:

http://www.thevangundy.com/spurs-fans-realize/ (http://www.thevangundy.com/spurs-fans-realize/)


Great article if u get the chance to read it. Enjoy.

[LoneStarState'sPride]

Fantastic read.

[silverblackfan]

Great read with some nice links too. It is easy to get caught up in the current season and forget all the great memories this team as brought to the fans. And health issues with stress, over drinking, heart issues, anger management... I got to get a beer.

[dg7md]

Pretty much every team in the league has it worse than us aside from possibly the Heat, Lakers, and Celtics. It's easy to be spoiled as a fan of our team.

[peacemaker885]

That is a very good article. No lead is ever safe for Spursfan until the bell rings.

[scanry]

A lot of rambling tbh.

[spurs10]

Hell yeah!

[Prime Time]

The 'dark" era of the past 17 years or so has been 08-11, basically when the Spurs made the playoffs every year including 2 escapes from the first round, a WCF appearance, and the #1 overall seed. That alone should sum up how spoiled we are.

[SnakeBoy]

2013-14 San Antonio 62 - 20 .756 1st Southwest Division 8 - 4 .667
2012-13 San Antonio 58 - 24 .707 1st Southwest Division 15 - 6 .714 Lost NBA Finals
2011-12 * San Antonio 50 - 16 .758 1st Southwest Division 10 - 4 .714 Lost West Conf Finals
2010-11 San Antonio 61 - 21 .744 1st Southwest Division 2 - 4 .333 Lost West Conf 1st Rd
2009-10 San Antonio 50 - 32 .610 2nd Southwest Division 4 - 6 .400 Lost West Conf Semis
2008-09 San Antonio 54 - 28 .659 1st Southwest Division 1 - 4 .200 Lost West Conf 1st Rd
2007-08 San Antonio 56 - 26 .683 2nd Southwest Division 9 - 8 .529 Lost West Conf Finals
2006-07 San Antonio 58 - 24 .707 2nd Southwest Division 16 - 4 .800 NBA Champions 2007 Won NBA Finals
2005-06 San Antonio 63 - 19 .768 1st Southwest Division 7 - 6 .538 Lost West Conf Semis
2004-05 San Antonio 59 - 23 .720 1st Southwest Division 16 - 7 .696 NBA Champions 2005 Won NBA Finals
2003-04 San Antonio 57 - 25 .695 2nd Midwest Division 6 - 4 .600 Lost West Conf Semis
2002-03 San Antonio 60 - 22 .732 1st Midwest Division 16 - 8 .667 NBA Champions 2003 Won NBA Finals
2001-02 San Antonio 58 - 24 .707 1st Midwest Division 4 - 6 .400 Lost West Conf Semis
2000-01 San Antonio 58 - 24 .707 1st Midwest Division 7 - 6 .538 Lost West Conf Finals
1999-00 San Antonio 53 - 29 .646 2nd Midwest Division 1 - 3 .250 Lost West Conf 1st Rd
1998-99 * San Antonio 37 - 13 .740 1st Midwest Division 15 - 2 .882 NBA Champions 1999 Won NBA Finals
1997-98 San Antonio 56 - 26 .683 2nd Midwest Division 4 - 5 .444 Lost West Conf Semis
1996-97 San Antonio 20 - 62 .244 6th Midwest Division - - DNQ
1995-96 San Antonio 59 - 23 .720 1st Midwest Division 5 - 5 .500 Lost West Conf Semis
1994-95 San Antonio 62 - 20 .756 1st Midwest Division 9 - 6 .600 Lost West Conf Finals
1993-94 San Antonio 55 - 27 .671 2nd Midwest Division 1 - 3 .250 Lost West Conf 1st Rd
1992-93 San Antonio 49 - 33 .598 2nd Midwest Division 5 - 5 .500 Lost West Conf Semis
1991-92 San Antonio 47 - 35 .573 2nd Midwest Division 0 - 3 .000 Lost West Conf 1st Rd
1990-91 San Antonio 55 - 27 .671 1st Midwest Division 1 - 3 .250 Lost West Conf 1st Rd
1989-90 San Antonio 56 - 26 .683 1st Midwest Division 6 - 4 .600 Lost West Conf Semis


That's how good we've had it. Almost my entire adult life the Spurs have been at least mentioned as a possible contender. So yeah we are spoiled but at the same time I think it's harder to be a fan of a team that is always in contention but most seasons end with your heart being ripped out. With lesser teams you just enjoy the team without any expectations of winning it all.

[SpurPadre]

Ok article except it didn't do enough to praise Manu. Any self-respecting Spurs fan knows Manu is a starter in bench player disguise. He once led the team in scoring and until we got Kawhi, led the team in steals almost every year. He's also got a pretty impressive PER career average. The writer also forgoes his two-time All-Star status along with at least two other years he was arguably snubbed from an AS appearance. And he doesn't mention his International accomplishments, either. Decent read, though.

[hater]

and yet we starred in the most epic chokejob in the history of Sports :lol

I would not wish that kind of pain to my worst enemy imo :lmao

[RobinsontoDuncan]

Ok article except it didn't do enough to praise Manu. Any self-respecting Spurs fan knows Manu is a starter in bench player disguise. He once led the team in scoring and until we got Kawhi, led the team in steals almost every year. He's also got a pretty impressive PER career average. The writer also forgoes his two-time All-Star status along with at least two other years he was arguably snubbed from an AS appearance. And he doesn't mention his International accomplishments, either. Decent read, though.

+1, I was thinking the same thing. I really hope that Manu's legacy isnt somehow misinterpreted by history due to what was a purely tactical decision by Popovich to bring Many off the bench mid-career. Manu at his peak was one of the most explosive and dynamic players in the league, and he could single-handedly take over a game without thinking twice.

[SpurPadre]

+1, I was thinking the same thing. I really hope that Manu's legacy isnt somehow misinterpreted by history due to what was a purely tactical decision by Popovich to bring Many off the bench mid-career. Manu at his peak was one of the most explosive and dynamic players in the league, and he could single-handedly take over a game without thinking twice.

Yup, and he has Kobe's seal of approval: "Now that's a bad boy right there. I have so much respect for his game. And he's an incredible competitor. I enjoy playing against him. Fantastic 2 guard." Now Kobe's an egotistical prick so one can't take those compliments lightly.

[ElNono]

2013-14 San Antonio 62 - 20 .756 1st Southwest Division 8 - 4 .667
2012-13 San Antonio 58 - 24 .707 1st Southwest Division 15 - 6 .714 Lost NBA Finals
2011-12 * San Antonio 50 - 16 .758 1st Southwest Division 10 - 4 .714 Lost West Conf Finals
2010-11 San Antonio 61 - 21 .744 1st Southwest Division 2 - 4 .333 Lost West Conf 1st Rd
2009-10 San Antonio 50 - 32 .610 2nd Southwest Division 4 - 6 .400 Lost West Conf Semis
2008-09 San Antonio 54 - 28 .659 1st Southwest Division 1 - 4 .200 Lost West Conf 1st Rd
2007-08 San Antonio 56 - 26 .683 2nd Southwest Division 9 - 8 .529 Lost West Conf Finals
2006-07 San Antonio 58 - 24 .707 2nd Southwest Division 16 - 4 .800 NBA Champions 2007 Won NBA Finals
2005-06 San Antonio 63 - 19 .768 1st Southwest Division 7 - 6 .538 Lost West Conf Semis
2004-05 San Antonio 59 - 23 .720 1st Southwest Division 16 - 7 .696 NBA Champions 2005 Won NBA Finals
2003-04 San Antonio 57 - 25 .695 2nd Midwest Division 6 - 4 .600 Lost West Conf Semis
2002-03 San Antonio 60 - 22 .732 1st Midwest Division 16 - 8 .667 NBA Champions 2003 Won NBA Finals
2001-02 San Antonio 58 - 24 .707 1st Midwest Division 4 - 6 .400 Lost West Conf Semis
2000-01 San Antonio 58 - 24 .707 1st Midwest Division 7 - 6 .538 Lost West Conf Finals
1999-00 San Antonio 53 - 29 .646 2nd Midwest Division 1 - 3 .250 Lost West Conf 1st Rd
1998-99 * San Antonio 37 - 13 .740 1st Midwest Division 15 - 2 .882 NBA Champions 1999 Won NBA Finals
1997-98 San Antonio 56 - 26 .683 2nd Midwest Division 4 - 5 .444 Lost West Conf Semis
1996-97 San Antonio 20 - 62 .244 6th Midwest Division - - DNQ
1995-96 San Antonio 59 - 23 .720 1st Midwest Division 5 - 5 .500 Lost West Conf Semis
1994-95 San Antonio 62 - 20 .756 1st Midwest Division 9 - 6 .600 Lost West Conf Finals
1993-94 San Antonio 55 - 27 .671 2nd Midwest Division 1 - 3 .250 Lost West Conf 1st Rd
1992-93 San Antonio 49 - 33 .598 2nd Midwest Division 5 - 5 .500 Lost West Conf Semis
1991-92 San Antonio 47 - 35 .573 2nd Midwest Division 0 - 3 .000 Lost West Conf 1st Rd
1990-91 San Antonio 55 - 27 .671 1st Midwest Division 1 - 3 .250 Lost West Conf 1st Rd
1989-90 San Antonio 56 - 26 .683 1st Midwest Division 6 - 4 .600 Lost West Conf Semis


That's how good we've had it. Almost my entire adult life the Spurs have been at least mentioned as a possible contender. So yeah we are spoiled but at the same time I think it's harder to be a fan of a team that is always in contention but most seasons end with your heart being ripped out. With lesser teams you just enjoy the team without any expectations of winning it all.

:tu

[justinandimcool]

every team has something they can be proud of tbh

[rascal]

Success coincides with the franchise centers lottery picks Robinson and then Duncan.

[RobinsontoDuncan]

Yup, and he has Kobe's seal of approval: "Now that's a bad boy right there. I have so much respect for his game. And he's an incredible competitor. I enjoy playing against him. Fantastic 2 guard." Now Kobe's an egotistical prick so one can't take those compliments lightly.

Kobe always gave Manu props--but yeah...I feel like anyone that's been a spurs fan for a while and remembers just how good Manu used to be would realize he didnt need the recognition. He is, simply put, one of the greatest players to lace up the nikes over the past 15 years.

[UZER]

Pretty much every team in the league has it worse than us aside from possibly the Heat, Lakers, and Celtics. It's easy to be spoiled as a fan of our team.


Agreed, although the Spurs is more organic and home grown. The others are achieved though shortcuts and handouts.

Which big name free agent has ever signed in SA?

[Brazil]

Spurs fans are spoiled rats

[Blake]

Putting Tony as the 10th best point guard of all time is a huge stretch.

He's putting way too much emphasis on wins.

[barbacoataco]

I don't know where Parker rates all time, but I would put him in front of Steve Nash. Once you get past Nash's gaudy stats, the fact is TP outplayed him head to head, and Nash didn't play defense.

[Blake]

I don't know where Parker rates all time, but I would put him in front of Steve Nash. Once you get past Nash's gaudy stats, the fact is TP outplayed him head to head, and Nash didn't play defense.

smh

[DMX7]

He forgot to mention how classy we are. I feel like that sometimes gets lost and buried beneath our team's basketball greatness -- but do not forget it!

[DMC]

"His numbers match up favorably with those already on this list. He is tied with Magic for second place in championships (3), has a Finals MVP (most likely will take a second one if Spurs win this year), and already has more playoff points than anyone else on this list (3483)."

Did I not read this correctly? Doesn't Magic have 5?

[Splits]

Stolen from OKC board, but applicable to this thread.


--The Hawks have not reached a conference final in their 46 year history in Atlanta.

--The Washington Wizards/Bullets have not reached a conference final in 34 years.

--In their 29 year history in Sacramento, the Kings have reached the conference finals once.

--I was born in 1977, that is also the last time the Warriors appeared in a conference final.

--Milwaukee fans have only seen their Bucks in one conference final in 29 years.

--Since being founded in 1989, the Timberwolves have played in the conference finals one time.

--The Hornets franchise has been in existence for 26 years and they have yet to reach a conference final.

--The Clippers have been a franchise (starting in Buffalo) since 1970. In those 44 years, they have a grand total of zero conference finals appearances.

[ElNono]

Stolen from OKC board, but applicable to this thread.

yup, ties in with my thread about 3 consecutive conference finals...

[davidbowie]

The spurs are the only thing in my life that bring me consistent happiness and for that I feel lucky. Unless we blow it again in the finals cause then fuck everyone.

[TampaDude]

and yet we starred in the most epic chokejob in the history of Sports :lol

Nope...not even close...the 2004 Yankees own that one.

[smeagol]

and yet we starred in the most epic chokejob in the history of Sports :lol

I would not wish that kind of pain to my worst enemy imo :lmao

What a sad dude . . .

[smeagol]

Success coincides with the franchise centers lottery picks Robinson and then Duncan.

Those two would've accomplished little without Manu, Tony and the rest of the role players around them, but specially without Manu and Tony.

[rascal]

Those two would've accomplished little without Manu, Tony and the rest of the role players around them, but specially without Manu and Tony.

You could have exchanged Robinson and Duncan with any other frontline in the league and they would have still won. You don't realize how valuable having two hall of fame franchise bigs are to league success.

[FromWayDowntown]

You could have exchanged Robinson and Duncan with any other frontline in the league and they would have still won. You don't realize how valuable having two hall of fame franchise bigs are to league success.

I don't think anyone who is realistic about it would dispute that. Good luck is a part of success; the Thunder are lucky the Blazers took Greg Oden.

But I'd say this: the Spurs run is now almost a quarter century long and the Duncan-Robinson duo was together for only 6 of those years (1998-2003). David and Tim would each likely have won in just about any situation, but the length of the run has a whole lot to do with those guys accepting a culture that values winning above pretty much anything else and an organization that has worked hard to fill the gaps to help the team keep winning. Arguably, the run should have ended (and in a lot of places, would have ended) a few years ago, but the Spurs find a way to acquire Kawhi Leonard (whose presence has made them a much better and more complete club than they were in 2009-2011). While the 25 years has been mostly a testament to the greatness of Tim and David, these teams have been made and remade numerous times over the years to reflect the changing nature of the NBA game.

Other franchises with great players haven't been as successful in sustaining that greatness while transitioning over time.

[smeagol]

Couldn't agree more with what FWD said. It goes without saying that the 05 and 07 championships were won with without the Admiral.

[pgardn]

Getting to watch very good basketball for 82 games and then the playoffs...

I assume people watch the Spurs because they play basketball the way it was meant to be played. If you are here just for championships, you have the possibility of being sorely disappointed. We do not have the great athletes that pull teams along based on their personal athletic feats. We have a team. A team that is not that physically talented.

So enjoy the basketball, if you really like the sport in the first place.