lilmads
10-21-2005, 03:27 PM
ROY LANG III: Three titles and the Spurs continue to fly under the radar
October 21, 2005
http://www.shreveporttimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051021/SPORTS0405/510210333/1001/SPORTS
Think about the superstars of the NBA and Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant and Allen Iverson likely come to mind immediately.
And what gets all the attention? The drama surrounding Kobe in L.A., Shaq's second career as a rapper/police officer and the high-flying circus Mark Cuban puts on the floor every year in Dallas.
Then you have the San Antonio Spurs. Yes, we all know Tim Duncan is one of the best players in the NBA. But the first thing that may come to mind when thinking of the Spurs' visit to Bossier City on Thursday was whether or not guard Tony Parker's girlfriend, Eva Longoria of "Desperate Housewives" fame, was going to escort him into the CenturyTel Center.
News flash: This team has won three NBA titles in six years (1999, 2003, 2005). That matches the total of O'Neal and Kobe's beloved Los Angeles Lakers. Iverson's 76ers have yet to raise the big trophy and neither have the Mavericks. Yet somehow the Spurs don't get overexposed on ESPN and haven't exactly captured the hearts -- or complete respect -- of basketball fans around the country.
"I know the opposing coaches don't feel that way," said veteran NBA head coach Rudy Tomjanovich, now a scout.
The 29 teams away from the Alamo definitely don't take the Spurs lightly, and most are likely envious at the dynasty in the making.
"Everybody wants to be a part of what they've got going," said Tomjanovich, who began last season as the coach of the Lakers but resigned due to health reasons.
This past offseason reflected just that. The Spurs didn't lose a quality player and gained the likes of former All-Stars Michael Finley and Nick Van Exel.
Tomjanovich says the lack of publicity in the NBA these days is more often than not a good thing. Whether it's the controversy over Kobe's or Iverson's wardrobe or the office pool on who's the league's next revealed pot smoker, "negative things" grab most of the attention.
Meanwhile, Duncan just flies under the radar and collects MVPs and championships. He's the definition of a Spur.
"They just go out and do their business," Tomjanovich said. "It's reflected in their main player. He just goes out and quietly does his job. That's the way 'Pop' (Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich) is. That's they way they all are."
"They humbly go out and kick some butt."
If you read the newspapers or watch TV, it's likely the focus of the 2005-06 NBA season will again be Shaq in Miami -- looking to bring south Florida its first title-- and Phil Jackson's reunion with Kobe in Tinseltown.
But with the additions of Finley and Van Exel to the league's best team, I know who I'd pay attention to.
October 21, 2005
http://www.shreveporttimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051021/SPORTS0405/510210333/1001/SPORTS
Think about the superstars of the NBA and Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant and Allen Iverson likely come to mind immediately.
And what gets all the attention? The drama surrounding Kobe in L.A., Shaq's second career as a rapper/police officer and the high-flying circus Mark Cuban puts on the floor every year in Dallas.
Then you have the San Antonio Spurs. Yes, we all know Tim Duncan is one of the best players in the NBA. But the first thing that may come to mind when thinking of the Spurs' visit to Bossier City on Thursday was whether or not guard Tony Parker's girlfriend, Eva Longoria of "Desperate Housewives" fame, was going to escort him into the CenturyTel Center.
News flash: This team has won three NBA titles in six years (1999, 2003, 2005). That matches the total of O'Neal and Kobe's beloved Los Angeles Lakers. Iverson's 76ers have yet to raise the big trophy and neither have the Mavericks. Yet somehow the Spurs don't get overexposed on ESPN and haven't exactly captured the hearts -- or complete respect -- of basketball fans around the country.
"I know the opposing coaches don't feel that way," said veteran NBA head coach Rudy Tomjanovich, now a scout.
The 29 teams away from the Alamo definitely don't take the Spurs lightly, and most are likely envious at the dynasty in the making.
"Everybody wants to be a part of what they've got going," said Tomjanovich, who began last season as the coach of the Lakers but resigned due to health reasons.
This past offseason reflected just that. The Spurs didn't lose a quality player and gained the likes of former All-Stars Michael Finley and Nick Van Exel.
Tomjanovich says the lack of publicity in the NBA these days is more often than not a good thing. Whether it's the controversy over Kobe's or Iverson's wardrobe or the office pool on who's the league's next revealed pot smoker, "negative things" grab most of the attention.
Meanwhile, Duncan just flies under the radar and collects MVPs and championships. He's the definition of a Spur.
"They just go out and do their business," Tomjanovich said. "It's reflected in their main player. He just goes out and quietly does his job. That's the way 'Pop' (Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich) is. That's they way they all are."
"They humbly go out and kick some butt."
If you read the newspapers or watch TV, it's likely the focus of the 2005-06 NBA season will again be Shaq in Miami -- looking to bring south Florida its first title-- and Phil Jackson's reunion with Kobe in Tinseltown.
But with the additions of Finley and Van Exel to the league's best team, I know who I'd pay attention to.