Contest: Win a Gervin Gervin Autographed Ball! Enter Today!

Show me your best skillz and perhaps you can hold one of my balls…forever!

I love me some Spurs. In fact, I don’t know if anyone out there loves there Spurs as much as I do…although some of you come pretty darn close. Here’s your chance to show me, and win one of my balls in the process.

The other Spurs-related thing I love is this forum, Spurstalk. Korean El Jay do a fantastic job with this site, and I know they pour their hearts and souls (and money) into providing us with a great venue to express our Spurs love. If they can give so much of themselves to all of us, I figure the least I can do is let one lucky poster hold one of my balls...forever!

Since this is the start of a new season, I thought I’d sponsor a little writing contest to kick it off right. Everyone knows there are certain folks in here that, when they post a thought, you automatically click on their post to see what they’ve written. Unfortunately, for me, my personal list of auto-clickers is down to just a select few. This really is my fault for not being here more, but I’m hoping this contest will let me see posting excellence in its greatest form and let me re-acquaint myself with the posting greats who abound here.

So, in this thread, I want folks to delve into their fandom. What players do you like past and present? When did you become a fan? What interesting pre-game rituals do you have? Are there any processed meat products or other items that inspire you? What do you do after a win? A loss? What road led you to the Spurs? What are their chances to win it all this year? Basically show me your fandom in all its glory. There are really no rules, just explain your fanhood and why you deserve this ball. You know the Chopper likes to laugh, so keep that in mind if you’re trying to earn bonus points. Putting me to sleep deducts points. See how that works? Most of all I want to see solid skills exhibited.

Keep it fresh and lively, keep me interested enough to read your entire post and you might just win my ball. BTW, the ball I’m giving away has been signed by one of my all-time Spurs heroes…the Iceman George Gervin. This is the real deal, with an authenticated verified signature…not just me practicing my forging skills.

Make me laugh, make me cry, but inspire me somehow and you just might win my ball. You can hold it, caress it, even lick it if you want to…I know I sure have! Worst case, it might just get you $100 on Ebay someday. I’ll bump this thread up for a week or so (unless a mod is kind enough to pin it) and next Tuesday, Nov 13, I’ll pick a winner. If no one proves themselves worthy to receive my blessed ball (if I rule the entries all too lame) El Jay will just get an early Christmas present…courtesy of the Chopper!

Good luck!

http://img28.picoodle.com/img/img28/...3m_b779e88.jpg

Nice to have you back, Ed. :)

You haven't missed much... :lol:

Oh, Ed. The beginning of the season was incomplete until now.

As for rituals, does having Spurs victory sex count? The championship sex was pretty terrific.

Wonderful idea, wonderful offer.
Got a Duncan ball we could aspire to?

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Originally Posted by easjer

Oh, Ed. does having Spurs victory sex count?

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How can I put this...YES, YES...OH YES! JAMES WHITE!!






Bonus points for including me somehow. Even a framed photo on the nightstand can earn a point or two. PM for a tasteful 8x10 pic of me cheering you on.

do you have 2? i'd rather hold both your balls to be honest.

is that ball also signed by george washington and han solo?

:hungry:

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Originally Posted by jman3000

is that ball also signed by george washington and han solo?

:hungry:

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Joe Montana and Babe Ruth as well. :lol Yeah, not sure why that verification service puts George Washington on their certificates.

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Originally Posted by jman3000

do you have 2? i'd rather hold both your balls to be honest.

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I have around 17 of them, however, only 15 have been autographed.

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What players do you like past and present?

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Past
Rifleman - What the 1996-97 season could have been.
Malik - Spurs fans still don't realize what he did.


Present
Duncan - I recall a minute of screaming when the Sixers won pick #2 in the 1997 Lottery.
Manu - I remember combing the internets for grainy video from Italy circa Y2K.

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When did you become a fan?

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When I was born. I've known no other team. It is ingrained in my DNA to be a Spurs fan.

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What interesting pre-game rituals do you have?

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Usually I drink. I do have the game ritual of watching a broadcast muted.

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Are there any processed meat products or other items that inspire you?

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Sometimes I eat jerky from a fine Hill Country producer while watching a game.

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What do you do after a win?

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Drink.

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A loss?

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Drink.

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What road led you to the Spurs?

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281.

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What are their chances to win it all this year?

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85%. The only true competition is Dallas. Houston is fool's gold. Thankfully Phoenix is about the $ more than titles. Detroit will be stiff in the Finals, but the path looks rather clear. Still, you never know.

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Originally Posted by Ed Helicopter Jones

So, in this thread, I want folks to delve into their fandom.

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Ok, so I joked around last night, but I think these really are great questions, and I love reading about other Spurs fans opinions, so I'll answer them all. Granted, SFIE is the funny one in our relationship - so my answers won't be on par with his. I hope he answers later.

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Originally Posted by Ed Helicopter Jones

What players do you like past and present?

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Well, I didn't really become a Spurs fan until David Robinson showed up, and George Gervin came to tell us youngins not to do drugs. So I've always held a soft spot for Iceman, but never watched him play. Of course DRob - I mean, he laid the foundation for the success of the team today. Watching him play was a privelege - simply amazing. And Sean Elliot. I love watching him in old stuff, especially after the kidney replacement. But I love him even more now as a commentator, and I love those games we get via LP that have Spurs coverage.

And of present players, naturally, Manu, Bruce and Tony. But my all time favorite is Timmy Duncan. I could watch him for hours. His play, the precision, the beautiful technically sound, fundamentals - it's like poetry in motion. Cliched as that is - I really do find it beautiful to watch him play, in the same way that any craftsman loves what they do and does it well - a moving thing even. And the fact that he is who he is - that he doesn't seek attention, that he was willing to step back and learn and that he's willing to set an example by being coachable, that he's taking less money, all of those things.

Granted, Timmy is the big star that propelled the Spurs to where they are - 4 championships, primed for more. And he's been the anchor during my entire super-fandom, so I'm sure that plays a role as well. But he's my favorite all time Spur.

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Originally Posted by Ed Helicopter Jones

When did you become a fan?

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A fan? First in 1990, when George Gervin came to our school and in DRob's rookie year. I was 10. And had a short attention span and didn't really watch the game. So, I was a fan in the sense that I rooted for the team over any other team and wished them well, but not a fan like today. In high school, I got sort of more interested, and followed them on the news, and if a game was on, I maybe watched some of it. I was really into the playoffs in 94 and 95 (ugh). I'm ashamed to admit this, but when they drafted Tim Duncan, I couldn't understand why, since they already had DRob. I didn't even know enough about the positions to get it. I wanted them to get a new point guard. :oops But then I saw them play and I was hooked.

And then I went to college in Houston. Before, I'd been surrounded by Spurs stuff and updates, and games, and I was just getting into it and really beginning to pay attention. It was lockout season, so that was bad enough, but worse was that I couldn't watch them anymore. I couldn't follow them as easily (I didn't even have an email account when I went to college, so the internet was still pretty big to me). And that is when the rabid fan syndrome developed. I wanted to watch everything I could, and be able to argue with the damn Rockets fans everywhere about why the Spurs were better, but I didn't know enough.

So when the season started, I got back into it. I remember at the end of the season, sitting in my dorm room, with ESPN on the telly (watching the crawl) and having the boxscore up on my computer, refreshing, refreshing, refreshing because I was trying so hard to keep up and see how the playoff seeding would work. I was home in New Braunfels for the first championship, and how special was that?

Things continued like that and then I met SFIE, and we became rabid fans together. The Spurs are a cornerstone part of our relationship - one of the reasons we became friends in the first place and one of the common interests we share. It's a fun thing to do together and I love that. We nearly got His and Hers jerseys for wedding gifts (ended up with tattoos instead, romantics that we are). Hell, our first anniversary gift was League Pass, and well worth it. We've shared 3 championships together now. :lol

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Originally Posted by Ed Helicopter Jones

What interesting pre-game rituals do you have?

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No real pre-game rituals until the playoffs. SFIE usually takes the dog for a walk, and one of us cooks dinner. I really enjoy participating in the game blog, but if I'm not, I tend to knit or do some kind of needlework during the games to stay productive.

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Originally Posted by Ed Helicopter Jones

Are there any processed meat products or other items that inspire you?

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Sadly, the SPAM does not speak to me the way it does to you, the disciple, but I reverently touch the SPAM can each time we pass it in HEB. HEB has the holy spam, I refuse to touch it in any other store (where it might be contaminated by it's proximity to the Rockets).

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Originally Posted by Ed Helicopter Jones

What do you do after a win? A loss?

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Um, yeah, I already explained what we do after a win. No need for detail (you can PM SFIE for that).

After a loss . . . well it depends on how badly I wanted then to win that game. If it's an early regular season game, I chalk it up to a learning experience and on we all move. If it's an important game or a rival team or if they've just thrown away a huge lead, then I tend to stomp around, curse a lot, throw a mini temper tantrum, take some Advil PM and practice deep breathing exercises (while reciting in my head "It is only a basketball game. It is only a basketball game.") until I fall asleep. Things always look so much better in the morning.

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Originally Posted by Ed Helicopter Jones

What road led you to the Spurs?

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Described above. What keeps me with the Spurs instead of bandwaggoning on another successful/'fun' team or going the easy local route is the character of the team. Some of my friends make fun of me, but it is as important to me that the Spurs are filled with good, quality guys who live good lives and try to make other people's lives better as it is that they are good and they win. I would not like the Spurs so well as I do now if they were a bunch of thugs or had a bunch of children by different baby-mamas. It may be stupid, since ultimately it is a competitive sport that we are rooting for, but it's a part of the whole for me.

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Originally Posted by Ed Helicopter Jones

What are their chances to win it all this year?

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This year is our best chance to repeat. There are some good teams out there that will present a good challenge, but I am so incredibly pleased with the way the team looks already and with knowing how good they are going to be. It seems like, at this point, the only thing against them is the even year. And you know what, that's ok. I even think they can overcome that.

For those of you whose attention span never goes beyond 1 or 2 paragraphs, tops...

Chopper's Writing Contest "Guidelines" (parlay?)
-------------------------
Explain your fanhood and why you deserve Chopper's ball autographed by the Iceman. Example:
What players do you like past and present?
When did you become a fan?
What interesting pre-game rituals do you have?
Are there any processed meat products or other items that inspire you?
What do you do after a win?
A loss?
What road led you to the Spurs?
What are their chances to win it all this year?
Be humorous if you can and Chopper will select a winner on Tuesday, Nov. 13th.
It's free to enter but I'm sure Ed would accept a love offering.

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Originally Posted by Solid D

For those of you whose attention span never goes beyond 1 or 2 paragraphs, tops...

Chopper's Writing Contest "Guidelines" (parlay?)
-------------------------
Explain your fanhood and why you deserve Chopper's ball autographed by the Iceman. Example:
What players do you like past and present?
When did you become a fan?
What interesting pre-game rituals do you have?
Are there any processed meat products or other items that inspire you?
What do you do after a win?
A loss?
What road led you to the Spurs?
What are their chances to win it all this year?
Be humorous if you can and Chopper will select a winner on Tuesday, Nov. 13th.
It's free to enter but I'm sure Ed would accept a love offering.

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Thanks Solid!


Do not fear the Chopper! Enter, my friends. . . enter.

can i play with the ball if i win it?

not on hardwood

Welcome back, Choppah. :smokin

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Originally Posted by Ed Helicopter Jones

If no one proves themselves worthy to receive my blessed ball (if I rule the entries all too lame) El Jay will just get an early Christmas present…courtesy of the Chopper!

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Spurs fans don't let me down now :hungry:

I have absolutely no desire to partake in this contest.

Hey, thanks for the opportunity, Chopper. I'm astounded that the team of my youth is today's team of the decade; at one time, I would have given away a few important organs for just one championship. This seems to be as good a time as any to reflect.

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What players do you like past and present?

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Basically all of them. My favorite Spurs usually run in pairs - the best player and another guy. These days, though, the team is so easy to root for - besides the winning, all of the players are solid citizens and true professionals.

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When did you become a fan?

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I grew up in San Antonio, and I started watching sports at seven (in 1982). I liked all sports about equally, but to have a local team play so well with a fun style and a marquee scorer like Ice, basketball took center stage in my mind. The gap between Gervin and Robinson was frustrating - not only did the team suck, but my parents didn't have cable during most of that time, so I missed almost all of those games. Granted, the most memorable moments during those years included the drafting of Alfredrick Hughes and the Cottonball era, so I guess that was the very best time in history to be missing Spurs games.

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What interesting pre-game rituals do you have?

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Nothing really during the season. During the playoffs, I'll often wear black on the day of a game, usually but not always some kind of Spurs shirt. Last year, I watched the 2005 DVD after the game three loss to Phoenix and the 2003 DVD after the game three loss to Utah. Happily, there was no need to watch the 1999 DVD - I'm saving that for the 2008 playoffs if the Spurs lose a playoff game. Key word being "if".

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Are there any processed meat products or other items that inspire you?

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When the Spurs play the Suns, I think of bologna in connection with Mike D'Antoni. There is another processed item I think of in connection with D'Antoni, but I'm assuming this thread is G-rated. D'Antoni bothers me so much that despite the fact that the Suns would be better without him, I want him gone anyway.

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What do you do after a win?

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I don't really do anything. I feel pleased, but that's about it. However, I feel triumphant after championships, as though I'm the one getting money, fame or women out of the deal.

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A loss?

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Most of the time, the Spurs earn their wins and their losses, so I don't really feel too great about a win or too low about a loss. If the Spurs are dicked out of a win, I get upset but not destructively so. This attitude is a far cry from my old "Everyone must die" mindset after Spurs losses back in the early to mid 90's. Age does bring wisdom, as it turns out. When the Spurs lost a regular season game in The Forum back in 1996, a game they dominated for three quarters only to play stupidly down the stretch, I couldn't calm down for two hours.

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What road led you to the Spurs?

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Growing up in SA. I suppose my first game in December 1983 sealed my fandom forever. The HemisFair was so loud and brightly lit and the Spurs blew out the Bullets that night. At that point, I became a Spurs dork for life.

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What are their chances to win it all this year?

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As good as they've ever been. I think Dallas is the only team capable of beating us. Houston is improved, but they're not in the top tier yet. Phoenix is a top team, but they can't beat the Spurs. No chance. Denver is interesting and would give us a pretty good series. Boston and Chicago are the biggest threats in the East, although Chicago has been awful so far.

CHOPPER!!!!

That's all I have to say. PM me for my address :eyebrows

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Originally Posted by jman3000

is that ball also signed by george washington and han solo?

:hungry:

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:rollin

OK let me try, take a seat.





*stretches fingers*






:flag:


Thank you.

Nice gesture Ed.
And you realy do need to post more.

Only 3 real entries so far? I guess the Iceman isn't as popular as he used to be. :depressed

Maybe I should just email El Jay for his address now and save myself the trouble.

All 3 entries are good, but let's just say this contest is still up for grabs. Enter!

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Originally Posted by Shelly

CHOPPER!!!!

That's all I have to say. PM me for my address :eyebrows

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No need for the PM, I've been stalking you for years now. My car practically drives by your house by itself.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ed Helicopter Jones

Only 3 real entries so far? I guess the Iceman isn't as popular as he used to be. :depressed

Maybe I should just email El Jay for his address now and save myself the trouble.

All 3 entries are good, but let's just say this contest is still up for grabs. Enter!

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I'm shocked about the lack of entries. You'd think Spurs fans would jump at the opportunity. Come on people, step up!











(just mail the ball to our house)

I love what Chopper has done here.
Given us an opportunity to share our love and our stories about the team that brought us all here.

My story is too personal, I'm not comfortable sharing it.

But I'm loving reading what's here so far.
Hope more people jump in.

I'll give my entry later tonight.

Quote:

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So, in this thread, I want folks to delve into their fandom. What players do you like past and present? When did you become a fan? What interesting pre-game rituals do you have? Are there any processed meat products or other items that inspire you? What do you do after a win? A loss? What road led you to the Spurs? What are their chances to win it all this year? Basically show me your fandom in all its glory. There are really no rules, just explain your fanhood and why you deserve this ball. You know the Chopper likes to laugh, so keep that in mind if you’re trying to earn bonus points. Putting me to sleep deducts points. See how that works? Most of all I want to see solid skills exhibited.

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My favorite past player is George Gervin. Unfortunately I was not able to see him play except for highlights that I watched. The reason he is one of my favorite players is because he actually made me a better player as a young kid. I went to Spurs camp one year and he as well as some other players/coaches showed me how to shoot correctly. I learned to shoot free throws first and after a while I became a better shooter instead of releasing the ball from the holster. I also got to play a one on one game with the Iceman, that is one memory I can never forget.

My favorite current player in Manu Ginobili. I love is hard work ethic and crazy footwork. The guy has done some amazing things on the court that I could only dream of. His shifty passes and fancy moves and left me in awe many times. I like to think of him as somewhat of a worm but that name is already taken.

While I have always been as Spurs fan deep down, I really didnt start paying attention to the game/players until I attended my first game at the tender age of 6. I was to play a city pee-wee championship game at half-time of a Spurs-Celtics contest. It was the most amazing feeling ever to see the guys I dreamed of being. Most of the games at that time were Pay Per View, so I would have to listen to WOAI. Even listening on the radio, I felt an attatchment to this team. I was and have alway been passionate about the Spurs. I always find a way to watch/listen to every game. Being a Spurs fan is so much more than just watching and enjoying the games, its feeling an emotional attatchment to the team and actually feeling like a small peice in the big puzzle that makes the Spurs foundation.

I really dont have any pre-game rituals that I follow faithfully. My ultimate goal for every game is just being at a place where I can watch it, usually wearing some Spurs gear. I have found it actually lucky to be at my Mother in Law's house during the game. She is probably about as passionate and vocal during the games as I am. Good things happen when we watch together.

I do think of the Spurs when I see spam at the store but to say that it inspires me is a stretch.

After a win I am usually in a good mood and easy to talk to. I will usually call my fellow Spurs fan friends and gasp in the glory of another Spurs win. My wife likes when the Spurs win cause its not pretty when they lose. I come to Spurstalk.com to hear others positive comments.

After a loss things are not so good, I either dont answer my phone at all or call a friend and disect what things we did or did not do to lose. I find excuses and ways to calm myself down into belieiving the Spurs will turn it around for the next game. I also enjoy coming back to Spurstalk.com to see how many people want to fire Pop and trade Manu.

I really didnt have to take a road to the lead me to the Spurs, Its my hometown. But, my Dad paved the way by being a fan before I can remember.

As far as our chances to win it all...

I like em, I think we still have the deepest bench in the league and some really good young guys that can keep us fresh and atheletic throughout the
season. As long as we stay healthy there is no reason not to repeat.

Drive for Five is on.

I took one look at this thread and the first thing that came to mind was

"Chopper...sick balls", so that is what Im doing.

Thats all I got, so if I dont win the damn ball then I hope the winner chokes on it.

J/k

Good luck to all:clap

I don't care about the ball. I just wanted to make googly eyes at the Chopster.

Oh, count me out of the contest. I just love talking about the Spurs, and I hoped that sharing my story would get others to share, because I love reading the stories. I didn't expect to try and win, and we don't have any place to store a ball.

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Oh, count me out of the contest. I just love talking about the Spurs, and I hoped that sharing my story would get others to share, because I love reading the stories. I didn't expect to try and win, and we don't have any place to store a ball.

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What she said. I don't think the roots of my fandom is all that interesting - the Spurs have fans from all over the world who had to put up with a lot more BS than I did just to watch a game.

I'm looking forward to the tales of others.

Shoot, I'd give my story, but I'd have to go back & forth to remember all the questions :elephant

I think the youngens who are enthusiastic about writing their stories have no idea who the Iceman is.
Too bad though.............

I am not writing in myself because I want to give others the chance to get this ball as well that my story is known already.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ed Helicopter Jones

Only 3 real entries so far? I guess the Iceman isn't as popular as he used to be. :depressed

Maybe I should just email El Jay for his address now and save myself the trouble.

All 3 entries are good, but let's just say this contest is still up for grabs. Enter!

---

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Originally Posted by alamo50

I think the youngens who are enthusiastic about writing their stories have no idea who the Iceman is.
Too bad though.............

I am not writing in myself because I want to give others the chance to get this ball as well that my story is known already.

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I don't know it, and I'd love to hear it. :)

Well here is my 'entry'..

I became a Spurs fan when I was 8. The first NBA game I ever watched was in January of 93', where Robinson dropped 52 on the Hornets in a high scoring game. After the game, I was hooked. I went out with my weekly allowance and bought Robinson cards, and started saving the sports section in the Arkansas Democrat Gazette every day and logged on a notebook what Robinson's stats were. I was hooked on him and the Spurs from there on.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/...S19930116.html

My mom remarried that year, since my dad was nowhere to be found. I really hated this guy, because he beat me until I was 15 and they divorced. I never told my mom because I knew he was our source of income, and that without him we would have been in a shelter. That summer I guess he realized I was for real about the Spurs, and the NBA and he hated it. He would hit me saying 'n****** making all that money to act cool is bullshit and you're a dumb**** for liking it.' He was a racist and hated 'tall blacks' as he called them.

I found out around this time that his dad, Ambrose Robinson lived in Little Rock and attended a church. My goal was to meet him, and I begged my mom over and over for us to visit this church so I could meet this person. She researched and gave in, and we went to a black church one Sunday and my step dad made sure I paid for it that night. I stood by the front door, and asked every black man if he was 'David Robinson's daddy' my mom said. She was pretty embarrassed but I guess parents will do almost anything for their kid, we only ever had each-other. So finally, expecting a tall built man, this old smaller guy told me he was his father. And my mom explained to him why I was here, and he was tickled to death apparently. I sat with him during church and he told me stories, and gave me advice. I don't remember anything really, except for him saying 'A dumb man will find 20 dollars and spend it right after, but a smart man will give half to the church, and invest the other half in his family. You will always be rich that way.' I never understood what it meant til I got older. But anyways, I gave him a letter to give to David, and he promised to pass it along.

That Xmas I got my first Robinson jersey, road black, screen printed by Champion. I lived in that jersey for almost a year. As I grew older I started going to the library and researching books about the history of the NBA. I learned how the Spurs were first the Chapperals(sp?) from Dallas. And that the Iceman was why San Antonio was here to stay forever. As a kid I was really amazed, at all the scoring titles, and renting some NBA VHS videos from Blockbuster on players like Iceman, Dr. J, and others. It was really amazing how he could just flick the ball like he wasn't even trying and he floated through the air and the ball somehow landed perfect in the basket. He was so smooth and graceful. That made my love for the Spurs grow deeper.

Anyways. When I hit 14 we moved back to N Little Rock, and I enrolled in a private school full of NBAers as I call them. Finally I had people to talk ball with. Little did I realize, the Spurs were not a well liked or even respected team. I took a lot of crap for being a fan. And I never met another Spurs fan until I had the internet at 15. Taking a step back, I remember when DRob scored 71, I thought it was a misprint until I saw the article. I was so proud and thrilled he overtook Shaq for the scoring title.

Through the 90s which was my generation you could call it, I took a lot of crap from my step dad about the Spurs always choking in the playoffs. It really burned me up. And I can't say for sure what year it was, but the Rockets simply crushed us one season and I thought that was the year we was going to take it home. I cried all day when I saw the box score the next morning being knocked out of the playoffs. Somehow, the Spurs were closer to me than I realized.

Well, I was always a Hogs fan. And we won the title in 94, should have repeated in 95 but lost it at the end, and I was a beeballoholic. I knew of Tim Duncan quite well, and told my best friend Marshall who was a Mourning fan, that whoever gets him is going to be a good team. Well, I honestly never thought it would be us. And when Robinson went down my heart went down with him. And there seemed to be so much weird stuff going on. Wilkins playing for us? I always hated Rodman, and always wondered why Strickland never worked out. But when it became clear one night at Marshalls house, watching ESPN and seeing San Antonio having the first pick. I honestly cried. I felt like, somehow God was repaying us for all our hardship. That finally, Robinson and unload some of the pressure, that finally he has real help. And boy was it true as we all know.

Well in my 2nd year at the newish school, we won the title that summer. I remember having my 13" Emerson in my window, NBA on NBC turned up up up, playing basketball between the commercials and watching the game when it came back on with Marshall. We finally did it, and instead of freaking out and going nuts with joy.. when AJ hit that shot and a little later watching them storm the Garden.... I cried my heart out. I felt release. All these years of being beat everyday somehow was worth it. All the name calling, insults and crap from people and my step dad now had an NBA Championship to shove in their face. My mom told me that night, with me being an only child.. she was proud and happy that I was a Spurs fan. That I was a DRob fan. I realized that night what the Spurs stood for. Loyalty... sportsmanship...heart. How I lived my life to that point. What I believed in is what my team actually was. Not tats (ugh rodman again) not money or chicks. Just wins and respect. I somehow won more than the Spurs did that night. I realized it wasn't my fault Rick beat me, or my life was as hard as it was. It was his. And the Spurs gave me the confidence to come out to my family and friends what he has done to me. As stupid and ignorant people may think it is, the Spurs were the only reason I made it through anything growing up alone feeling like nobody likes me and believing the words Rick would tell me, as if I was a nobody. A mistake God made... I actually believed it.

My mom confronted him, and they divorced. I searched his computer and found child porn. And he is still in prison by the way.

A week after our first title, I got a phone call from Marshall's mom. He died the night before in a car wreck. And she told me she had something to give me. Marshall bought me a lot of 100 Robinson cards to give to me. And as if my heart wasn't already feeling broke, there was the Spurs again. Flipping through the cards having something to smile about.

I'm not going to answer your questions listed, or go on about how cool Del Negro was. All I can say is I have lived my life through the Spurs and how they run as a professional sports team. Class all around. And without them I don't know where I'd be today. And everything after the 99' title has been icing on the cake. Somehow the Spurs have become the dad I never had. Guiding me and showing me what you need to be a man.

When I hit 18 I got the Spur tat on my left shoulder. And a week later I met a girl, she was half Canadian and half French. We were together until last April. And I can honestly look back and know I never hurt her, or us. She cheated, and lied, and we ended. And last night I realized something in a dream.

In 2005 we beat the Nuggets in the first round. Me and Amber watched the series and during it gave promise rings. Ironically, this past playoffs.. we played the Nuggets in the first round. And during it, we broke up. And she gave back the ring while the game was on behind us. Again... there's the Spurs. Five guys making millions to win games, but really to keep my head above water. It's been six months, and I am still pretty heartbroken. I feel lost and have no will to want to even speak to a girl moreless even a date. And we ended up winning the title again... just like we did in 05. Somehow I will always hate the Nuggets haha.

So in end, I have left a lot out but I have to go back to work. I just wanted to say some of my story. It feels good to get it out I suppose, as most people here have known me to be a hardass. I guess maybe you see why although it's not an excuse. The Spurs will never be just some team. They are personal and in my heart. And nobody can take that away from me. I careless if I win this ball, it would be nice but thanks for making this thread.. somehow my load feels lighter.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by duncan228

I love what Chopper has done here.
Given us an opportunity to share our love and our stories about the team that brought us all here.

My story is too personal, I'm not comfortable sharing it.

But I'm loving reading what's here so far.
Hope more people jump in.

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:lol lol wtf?? :wtf

Quote:

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and win one of my balls in the process.

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I don't want one of your balls, I just want the big prize; uh wait, it's not what I mean, don't get any ideas :p:


Well well well...

Being an international Spurs fan (I'm from Algeria),I became a fan in 1992, when I discovered David Robinson with the Dream Team; I was a kid, and being left-handed, D-Rob naturally became my favorite player; sure, Chris Mullin was the other lefty on that team, but D-Rob was so athletic, very impressive (don't get me wrong, Mully was a super player )
Before that, I only knew about Magic, Kareem, Isiah, Dumars, Jordan,Bird, Wilkins, Drexler, Pip, the Globe Trotters, AND I didn't have a favorite team

So, I started following the Spurs when the 92-93 season began.... been a Spurs fan since,never cheered for another team, never jumped on bandwagons, enduring the all the deceptions, until 1999 :santahat

My pregame ritual ? nothing special, but I do wear an old Spurs cap during every Spurs playoff games.

I also videotape almost every Spurs playoff game, and when we loose, I tape over it :p:

I'm still certain that we should have repeated in 2000 (Timmy missed the playoffs) and in 2006.

Spurs are so well coached; think about it, 2003-2004 season : David Robinson retires :cry (replaced by...Rasho), Stephen Jackson and Speedy (2 key players of the 2003 title) left the team, new players came in (Rasho, Hedo, etc.)....and despite all those changes, Spurs managed to have an excellent regular season, swept Memphis in the 1st round, and had a 2-0 lead over the star-studded Lakers, before that Derek Fisher shot that shouldn't have counted :bang changed the course of the series.
I think 2004 showed how good the coaching staff is.

2008 ? I believe in a repeat this time:

First, we keep the same team (see 2003-2004, or Finley joining us in 2005) (the only addition being Udoka, which means one more good defender, and some rest for Bruce during the regular season)

This time, there won't be a second .4 , Manu won't make a 2nd stupid foul.
Also, I think Spurs are more mature,and also confident and tough as they've ever been.
And Parker is finally on the court during those 4th quarters in the Finals; he has developed a killer instinct and is a better decision maker.

Oh, and I almost forgot, Horry is still a Spur :smokin

About that , true story : Right after game 4 of the 2005 Finals, a friend of mine, who is a huge Pistons fan, told me that the Pistons would destroy us in game 5; this is what I told him : " game 5 will be a close one; Pistons will have a 1 or 2 point lead in the last seconds, then Robert Horry will score the winning 3 " ......and I kept telling him that for 2 days, really, I was so convinced it was going to happen. Then, when Horry caught fire in the 4 th quarter, I thought "oh oh, we may have something here"; a few minutes later, with the Spurs down by two in OT and trying to go for the tie (or win), I was praying for my prediction to happen, thinking " we can't lose, not after the show Horry has put up so far, it just can't happen because it would be too unfair"; then..well, you know the story :elephant
For game 7, I invited my Pistons fan friend, you should have seen his face at the end, hehe.



Yeah, I'm a long time Spurs fan because I'm a ... lefty... thus my nickname...strange story, isn't it ?

I'm in!

I just read this one :)
I will try to write some letters when I get some time

Hopefully you are including the fans from Poland?
Hopefully you don't mind the typos and "not-so-dictionary-english".

BTW.

Wait for me cause IMO I think I got quite big chance to get your attention :reading

:violin

My entry:

Growing up in Kansas City, MO I really didn’t have a team to cheer for so like any other grade-school kid I rooted for Jordan and the Bulls as they were the closest team to where I lived, I didn’t really know any other teams or players to be honest but I could name the entire bulls roster, weight, height, college and number and then in the summer of 97’ I moved to San Antonio and was a little hesitant to change my allegiance. After Jordan left and I got older and figured out how much more there was to basketball. 1999 came along and I started following the Spurs casually through the regular season that year and was pretty supportive of the team just because of Robinson. I loved the way he lead by example and how everyone on that Spurs team moved as one unit. My Godmother came in to town with her now husband and took me to my first NBA game, it happened to be the game where Elie hit the 3 against the Rockets. I don’t remember much about the game but the one detail that sticks out most is how loud the Dome was that night and what it was like to hear a GO SPURS GO! chant from thousands of people. The lights were going crazy in the arena and I was screaming my head off and not really knowing why but mostly because the energy and excitement really got into me, after that night I was officially a Spurs fan. For the next few days all I could talk about at school was how Elie hit the 3 and I would attempt to give my friends a replay at recess every day.

A few weeks went by and since we were switching to DirectTV that day I was having to watch the game through a mostly snow-filled screen and could barely make out the players and their names along with the audio, it happened to be the Memorial Day Miracle and after that I can remember how happy I was that the “good guys” won that year, but I still wasn’t the Spurs fanatic that I am today, that wouldn’t happen until the following year when the Lakers knocked us out and I pretty much went into a depression for like 3 weeks. After a few Lakers titles and heartbreaks I cut my hair really short and started wearing girl pants and listening to acoustic guitar cds, not really but you get my drift. The Lakers threepeat really got to me and I realized just how much I loved the Spurs because I would pull the coffee table up to the tv and sit on the edge of it until the game was over and in 03’ I got to go to my first championship parade and a week after that I moved to San Bernardino which is pretty much the asshole of the U.S and Lakers fans are of course everywhere. The only thing that made me smile my whole time in California was the Spurs, I went to the games at Staples that year, watched them every time they were on TV and on those nights I could fall asleep happy and not think about how much I missed San Antonio and everything else that makes Texas wonderful. This is where I feel I really earned my stripes as a Spurs fan. 2004 playoffs, game 5. I remember I wore my Spurs jersey every game that series to school and had to constantly hear about how we’d be swept or how the Lakers were going to fight back and win it and just win I thought Duncan had given us a 3-2 lead well Derek Fisher… I can remember how much my heart hurt that night and how numb I was for an hour after the loss, I just sat in the front room with the TV off and in the dark until I fell asleep that night dreading the next day at school. My dad told me “why do you care so much its just a basketball team?” and the only thing I could think of to say was “no it really isn’t just that to me.” To me the Spurs were my life at that point, I wasn’t very happy at school and the “in” crowd at my preppy California high school was a far cry different than the one I was accustomed to at Judson. I had the Spurs and that was it, so when Fisher sank his shot that day I knew I had to get up and move ahead the next day because I knew that’s what the Spurs were doing. I threw my jersey in the washer that night, dried it before school, and showed up with my Duncan jersey on my back as proudly as I ever did. I took a lot of shit that day from everyone, even the teachers in some classes but all I did was nod and assure them my boys would be back. From then on I looked at the Spurs a different way, they may have not won a title but I was prouder than ever to be a Spurs fan and to be able to claim I grew up in San Antonio. A few titles later and I keep the same rituals; coffee table at the front of the TV, and win or lose I know that no matter what, Duncan and the squad will be back.

I now live in Tucson and make the trip to Phoenix for every game, and with a Spurs jersey these days it’s not that enjoyable of an experience anymore, but I’m a Spurs fan and I live too far from home to enjoy live games with a friendly crowd. The only game in Phoenix I’ve missed the last 2 years were the playoffs because believe it or not I woke up after Game 1 with Denver in the playoffs and for some reason my first though was: The Spurs are going to win the title this year. From that point on I was 100% sure of the outcome and saved my money from the 2 games in Phoenix in order to make the trip to San Antonio for the Finals Game 2. When I get these feelings that I just know something is going to happen they are always right, that might sound weird but some things I just know before they happen lol no joke. Anyways, our chances at a repeat? 100%.

I know this was kind of a long post but I really wanted to give my whole story and if it’s good enough for the ball I would be very happy because I feel that Ice was the first great Spur and face of the franchise and it would be wonderful to have something with his signature on it that I could display in my room with my 3 Spurs banners, 5 pennants, spurs street sign, Spurs clock, and 03-05 championship framed pictures they give out at the Riverwalk during the parades.

WOW! A ball signed by Ice! I think I feel lucky! By the way Ed :fro I remember watching the real Ed play. I thought it was cool that he did not feel the need to bother with false teeth for his two front teeth. That look could strike fear in the hearts of others with the big fro and vampire grin.

Favorite Players (Past)
Ice - the reason SAS really got rolling
Larry Kenon - too bad he left SA in his prime. An explosive 20-10 guy
D Robinson - the reason SAS stayed here

Favs (Present)
Duncan - the reason SAS has won four championships. Fellow ST people, appreciate the present days of this team. Many years of playoff frustrations occurred in the 70s and 80s. Back then, you kind of waited for what might go wrong.
Gino - Every night he brings an intensity that makes the Spurs really special
TP - Our 24/7 running game. He has definitely grown up as a player

When I became a Fan
March of 1978 when I was 14. I started listening to the games for a little while on WOAI with Terry Stembridge - he was a great play by play guy. I got to go to a game in person for the first time against the Kansas City Kings and as my dad and I got out of the car and were walking in the parking lot, I saw this tall skinny guy get out his car and hurry into the area. It was Ice running late for the game (not an unusual occurance by the way). One of the really interesting things about going to that game was to watch Gervin warm up. He would shoot these 22 and 23 foot bank shots from the sides at rediculous angles. I don't think three pointers were available in those days. Ice was an absolute machine shooting the basketball. Anyway, the Spurs won that game and the majority of all the others since then (outside of 1984-1988 - the Dark Ages of Spurs BBall - remember Alfredrick Hughes - Anybody?).

Pre Game Ritual
When I was a teenager, I would shoot a round nerf ball into my trash can pretending I was Mark Olberding. In those days, games on TV were a rare treat (No ESPN or TNT).

Processed Meat Product
I liked the other poster bringing whiny D'Antoni into this topic. I can't believe he actually played for the Spurs for couple of weeks many years ago and Pop hired him as some sort of scout eight or nine years ago. I'm glad he's gone.

What do you do after a win?
:downspin:

What do you do after a Loss?
:hang

What led you to the Spurs?
When the Spurs were in their infancy, they played a style of basketball somewhat similar to the Suns - as a result they scored tons of points, won 50 to 55 games in the regular season and figured out elaborate, creative ways to lose in the playoffs. The best example was blowing a 3-1 lead in the 1979 Eastern Conference finals to the Washington BULLETS (yeah bullets. Harry C is big fan of bullets if you don't know. Wizards are punks.) Anyway, in the 7th and deciding game, SAS had a ten point lead in the third quarter at the Capital Centre, and the lights went out for maybe an hour (Trust me, it was no accident). All of the momentum was snuffed out, and when things resume an awful officiating crew starts calling phantom moving screens on Billy Paultz, turnovers pile up, and Washington goes to the '79 NBA finals. That was an honest to goodness screw job. There was much less scrutiny of things in that time.

Well Ed, there you have it. I would truly cherish an Iceman BBall. No Ebay for me. I would show your ball to my entire family and brainwash my kids into being Spurs fans too! Unfortunately, my spousal unit has a mental illness known as Rocketfanitis. People, if there is a medicine or cure let me know.

Later - Hope I win!

My post was deleted. I suspect LJ eliminated the entry for his own personal gain. It is all too obvious that a conspiracy is at work here.

Sorry Chopper.....I think you would have really enjoyed my writing....if I have time, I will re-enter, but trying to duplicate a masterpiece is not easy....just ask anyone who tried to copy the Mona Lisa.



:p:

Chopper, you have a nice ball there, I think I would love to one day get to touch and play with your ball, so I will try to win this little contest.


A true diehard sports fan sticks with their team through good years and bad years, troubles and triumphs. Some are born into sports families, others are gifted athletes that almost made it to the big leagues and continue to follow their favorite sport.(much like yourself, Chopper) :p: Some are just along for the comradery and fun. I fall into the latter category in regard to the SA Spurs.

Spurs' fans come in all shapes and sizes,( TPark) all ages,(tlong and Luv Bones) all ethnicities. Its one of the few things about American culture that we all have something in common, the love of the game.

I grew up in SA (since I was 9) and until the Spurs moved to SA from Dallas, I only liked teams away from Texas (Washington Redskins, Boston Red Sox) so I was always fighting with my friends because they all liked the Dallas Cowboys or the Texas Rangers. I was the one never fit in when talk moved to sports, because I was odd man out. I was a pariah, an outcast, and I was on the verge of suicide. It all changed in 1976 when the Spurs moved from Dallas to SA along with the Iceman, Larry Kennon, James Silas, Mark Oberding and The Whopper. So, in essence, George Gervin saved my life... I was popular again, I was invited to parties, I felt like one of the guys for the first time in my young life. :elephant

I do have a photo of my wife, then girlfried and me with Ice and one of her with Mark Oberding(her favorite player), and I cherish that photo. Chopper, your ball with compliment that photo, so I would really love to have your ball on my shelf in my study right next to that photo.

The darkest day of my sports life came after the 85 season when my beloved Iceman was shipped off to Chicago....how could that happen???? Ice, a Bull???? The horror....the horror. To quote Joseph Conrad, "Du calme, du calme, adieu." The Ice age was over and the Spurs would slip into the the dark years, until my next favorite Spurs arrived, one David Robinson.

Current favorite player has to be Timmy, he is the epitome of all that is good in sports, the consumate team player, the ultimate professional.

My interesting pregame ritual is to make myself a nice Spam sandwich, grab a cold drink, get into my Manu PJs, and sit in my George Gervin bean bag chair facing south-west towards San Antonio.

After a win, I usually compose poetry about life and how wonderful it all is.

After a loss, I usually compose poetry about how life sucks.


So, as you see Chopper, I really do not have a life outside the San Antonio Spurs, and winning your ball would really make my day.

:)

One seemingly normal summer evening, my dad invited me to watch a San Antonio Spurs basketball game. At the time, I did not know how his invitation would forever affect my life. Having nothing to do, I decided to take my dad’s offer.

He slowly and articulately explained Sean Elliot’s greatness. My dad was doing his post-doctoral work at the University of Arizona when Sean Elliott and Steve Kerr were leading the Wildcats to the Final Four. He told me how special of a player Elliott was when he was at Arizona. Surprisingly, I followed the Spurs through the early to mid 1990’s when they were mediocre at best. Ever since that memorable day, I was a Spurs fan.

At first, my interest in the Spurs was casual. However, after the 1999 championship, my connection with the San Antonio changed immensely. I started to follow the team very closely, frequently reading about their games, players, and coaching staff.

After Sean Elliot’s retirement, I became a huge fanatic of Tim Duncan. I have always admired the way he played and acted on and off the court. Most people admire a player by their statistics and greatness in their specific sports. However, a player’s character is extremely important to me. Duncan is one of the very few players that does not trash talk, complain about number of touches he gets a game, nor whimper about his salary.

Playoff games are extremely tense and emotional for me. Usually, I would watch the games alone in my house (weird right?). I focus a lot during games and do not want to become distracted by others. Pre-game and on-game rituals are a must for me, as I am very superstitions when it comes to the Spurs (another reason I watch the games alone). Before games, I normally sit on the exact same couch and wear the same clothes—a Duncan jersey and hat with athletic shorts.

During the game, I do not move at all from the couch. I would only change positions if the Spurs was losing. My intense nervousness often resulted in cramps in my legs (no joke).

Many times, the mood of the next few days (or in between game) totally depend on the results of the playoff games. For example, after the infamous .4 by Fisher and the tough Game 7 against the Mavs, I felt helpless and screamed inside my house in anguish. I could not believe those series of unfortunate events. The Spurs could have easily won those two games if things had gone their way. There was a time when I could no longer tolerate those games and quit watching basketball for a month. I did not want to see a team win the NBA championship besides the Spurs.

Nonetheless, winning is a complete change of mentality. The change is similar to the transition of the season from winter to spring. Similar to my emotions, flowers peak full-bloom, and birds start to sing. An aura of elation radiate when the Spurs win. These feelings occur in each of the Spurs 4 NBA championships. I was almost in tears after their championships, and a surmountable amount of pressure seemed to be lifted afterwards. The tension released was comparable to bicycle tires getting deflated.

Clearly, the San Antonio Spurs is a big part of my life. Their championships were special for its glory and also for its lesson learned. The Spurs often had to overcome great adversity to fulfill their goal of winning it all. When people think of me, one thing usually comes to mind—he is a huge San Antonio Spurs fan.

Unfortunately, I am not old enough to experience the greatness of George Gervin. He was a great scorer in his days and continues to be active in the San Antonio Spurs community. Again, players like Gervin, Elliott, and Duncan are special to me for both their greatness on and off the court. With the autographed ball, it will help me become more fully united with the San Antonio Spurs. I have seen the potency of Elliott and Duncan, but I have not been able to physically experience the greatness of the past San Antonio Spur—George Gervin.

Wow. We're getting some really great responses in here. Very nice. :smokin

Thanks for sharing stories. Especially Brutalis. I was really touched to read that.

Oh my gosh. I just read through the stories, and though they are all great, Brutalis' story made me cry. What a man you are for posting that. I'm so glad that the Spurs have given you some inspiration through life. I'm truly amazed.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Kori Ellis

Oh my gosh. I just read through the stories, and though they are all great, Brutalis' story made me cry. What a man you are for posting that. I'm so glad that the Spurs have given you some inspiration through life. I'm truly amazed.

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:depressed

Mine did not make you cry???

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jimcs50

:depressed

Mine did not make you cry???

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That's all right.

This is about Ed crying not Kori. :drunk

BTW.
I have almost ended my entry but I will release it tommorow so do not close this contest please :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by polandprzem

BTW.
I have almost ended my entry but I will release it tommorow so do not close this contest please :)

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Daaaamn...how long is your entry???? You competing with War and Peace or what?

Now it would not be fair if you included Hitler's invasion of your country, and how that affected your life and how it pushed to towards the Spurs for comfort.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jimcs50

:depressed

Mine did not make you cry???

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I think if you had thrown in something like the first filling you ever did was in the shape of the Spurs logo, you might have had a chance...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jimcs50

Daaaamn...how long is your entry???? You competing with War and Peace or what?

Now it would not be fair if you included Hitler's invasion of your country, and how that affected your life and how it pushed to towards the Spurs for comfort.

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No woman.

I just do not have much time writting.
Not a long story. And Hitler did not pushed me ...

It all started when … no,no,no that’s not good beginning of a story which should somehow inspire you, make you laugh , cry etc. What to do? Well IMO I will just do what I’m doing in that kind situations. I will use improvisation. So if you are counting the points for a grammar and you are looking for a nice clean version of this entry. You can cross me out at once. I will also use typos, maybe they will inspire you somehow? But WTF I’m talking about? Let’s get down to business. No excuses.
First point is about my fanhood and why I do deserve the ball. Well frankly I do not deserve that ball. You are putting your own criteria …. :blah :blah :blah Boring start! But seriously I think there are much more people who deserves it and even if you would think I do deserve I’m not gonna to persuade you. All I want is to write something in English. To me it’s a challenge. I like to write I love competition.

Ok here I go! (remember delirious?)


I’m from Poland as you see on the left side I’ve been here on the ST from the very beginning. Players I like? Not counting the spurs squad I would say... No! Lets’ begin who do I hate. KG is the guy I hate as most of the spurs fans. Great player but bad personality. Calling the fans a faggots is not really what will earn my sympathy, also this bullshit he is talking. Damn I hate him. Kobe as well. I appreciate his work ethic do not like his not-so-great team play. And I hate his attitude. And he is from the Lakers – so come on! I’m basketball fan since 1995 and I know the recent history of the matchups between spurs and LA team. Allen and Anthony and Camby are also there. (In a hate hall of polanprzem’s shame)
Pierce is the guy I like, Paul as well. I won’t be naming this players but, I like sincere, not talking bullshit, with work ethic , humble and all in all Duncanique players.

Tim is all to me.

Past players? Russell is example of a past player I admire the most. He is the guy I always mention when it comes to a team and defense and win. The most important things - team and how to make team work and lead to success. It sounds like a cliché but that’s the way it is.
I like Mikan, Pettit from that time as well and many more past players like Frazier or Gilmore.

1995 – why the spurs? OK – here comes my part in it. (and Poland as well). I was on vacations and that was the beginning of a tv games. My friend had one tv game. One was basketball and it was NBA basketball. I was looking for a team I could play so I chosen Nets and was playing the NJ team. But I got pissed when I started losing so I was looking for another one. Was it lucky was it coincidence? I picked spurs and sticked to it. I never earlier was a fan of any sport. Soccer yes of course. The Europe is all about soccer. But I was never an ‘owner’ of any game. Never a fan. My friend was already and NBA fan so I took that disease easily. Not much later after that somebody asked me who I’m cheering for? Hmm I though for a little while … the spurs! And after that there was not hmm anymore.

Now I can call myself an NBA fanatic.

On that tv game there was D-Rob and Elliott two player I got most points of, so I figured it out that these are the best players. Well that is not funny. It was a before internet era and it was Poland. And if you can imagine we got NBA on tv just 45 minutes 3 day deley games and NBA Action magazine later as well. We got live action from the All-Star and the Finals. And that was something special. It was so crazy to see it live you can’t even imagine. The excitement was so high that the sex losing in the comparison of that excitement.

Btw. I remember from even earlier some flashes of a game Spurs- Charlotte Hornets and this wonderful colorfull Rodman. And when my friend showed me a Rodman on Upper deck card I said – umm yup I know that guy. Flashes from the past. Then I started to collect cards stickers and everything I was able about basketball and I do have quite big collection of NBA cards. I remember spending every penny on it. Nothing else that time was more important to me. I felt that I’m something special and still do. A basketball fan, not a soccer, not volleyball. BASKETABALL. And I’m shareing that love. Even my aunt says that I’m not gonna get married. Cause I’ve already got a wife – NBA!

Paper magazines. There was just one. Later came another and they had something like 3 month delay. So we got a relation of the Finals when the new season begun. And imagine I was reading everything from the page one to the last so frickin carefully it was insaine. I came to world of NBA basketball as Poland did.
Well Poland was all about the Bulls and all about Jordan. Jordan was a god. So in ’90 you could see more and more Jordans on the playgrounds. That was more then a hurricane, a basketball storm which takes millions. Took Poland. Unfortunately just teens took it. Not guys from public TV or the government who does not give money for sport.
Speaking about NBA on TV – when I was waiting for the NBA Action it was like waiting for a, I do not know. Hell that was a feeling. Eyes wide open and when it started you got schivers. Unforgettable feeling ahhh ! (orgasm is nothing – damn another sex comparison)

Fucking great feeling! (may I use a F word?)

Then came internet and new generation of fans in Poland. Not the same as my generation cause they got more of it and do not appreciate what is being a real fan is. (IMHO). They got informations articles, knows who Scoop Jackson is but I do not know if they are know the value of pure basketball itself. They do not know what is like to wait for something special and taking everything they drop (either magazines or NBA relations). You took it and learned it. Then you was a pro NBA fan.

Well I did not got a full access to the NBA. Still!

In Poland there was games on tv, then there was on pay tv. But I’m not rich guy. So I was finding a ways to see the spurs games at least 5 times a year and the all-star game somehow. Every game on the VHS. I’ve got every all-star game. Jesus what I was going through to get the access. My Mom’s friends, somebody she knew etc.
And not having much games and having some time I was watching the same game many many times. Jeez the 1999 Finals was being watched by me about 40 times. All games.

And the most important part.
In Poland it is night when the NBA is playing. So when was the times I had NBA live on tv I always took it. My Mom did not want me to watch it cause next day was a school day. But I had something like 3 alarm clocks under my bed. Useless. I was awake before the first one rang. Once I remember I got up (on the all star game 1996 I think) got downstairs and watched the game. My Mom came and it was not good. (“You bastard! Get back to sleep. The school is tomorrow!” ) [j/k she was not like that, but she was not pleased] :D
I had go back to bed. She got into sleep I got down once again. Ehh many many stories I can bring in here.
If not my craziness about basketball I would not have all Spurs Finals games at home. But I do.
(Hopefully I did not put you into sleep).
I’m hardcore spurs fan, a homer mostly. I do not have many spurs gadgets. I’ve got a Tim’s Jersey, a cap a small spurs 2005 champs banner, bubble head TD. And that’s it. Many NBA magazines from the past and many VHS and about 100 DvD’s and CD’s with basketball.
I defend the spurs every time on the polish board.
From where I have the games? Torrents my friend torrents. Now I can use stream but I have not much time for it. I watched 2 games this season and that a big amount 

Do I care about the spurs?
Fuck I owe them. I had depressions in my life and got rid of them when the spurs won in 2003 and 2005, after a loss in game 4 2005 I was devastated. I did not wanted to live. I hated my life back then plus the spurs lost, so you know. It was a bad time for me. I do not want to get into details but it was bad. The spurs to the rescue! They won so I got through it somehow. This year the same, again I was down, deep in the shit as I can say. Although my personal life changed in May I give it all to the spurs. They won and I got rid of any depressions any downs in my life. I got up from my knees.
Damn in 1999 I cared so much that every time I went sleep when the spurs game was on night (I was not able to watch) and when I had a dream spurs losing - the Spurs always won. Always. And till the Finals.

Crazy!

Crazy is that I can’t play basketball anymore – the contusion. Basketball was everything to me and I was asking God why he took away the most important thing in my life? Any downs any bad mood I went to the playground, took bike took the ball and then alone hiting shots making drives etc. I can’t do it anymore. I still can’t stand that I can’t do the thing I used to. And adult person crying because of it. Basketball was and is my life and how could he took it from me? I still don’t know.

2nd surgery – me in hospital. Spurs vs. Mavs. I got home. And with fricking pain. I started my PC and was looking at a boxscores in the night, that’s how I could ‘watch’ this game plus ST and their thought on the game thread.
Fear as hell on game no 7. I thought I will pass away. :D Damn in 2004 Fish shot killed me. Hehe
Nevermind – many Spurs fan were killed back then.
Okay – enough – too much sorry about me although I could go on and on.

I had a pre-game ritual – alone somewhere back I did my stretching and fire up myself with a silent concentration. And the stress I got before he game? Wow great it was setting fire inside me. And when I got into the floor I exploded and did everything I could. I was like Rodman going for a lose ball. I hit the floor many, many, many, many, many times. A typical garbage man. Setting picks, rebounding, hustle I love it. A past.

Meat that inspire me? None. Well actually I should say every meat cause I’m carnivore. If you are a vegetarian I lost the contest. Good bye George…

What do I do after a win? Well after a spurs win? Or after mine?
I was never happy even when we won I was not happy cause I thought that I could give much more effort. I was looking for perfection all the time.
After loss? I just though the life sucks and it’s not worth living 
Spurs losing= bad day – I hate when spurs are losing.
Damn I would love they went 98-0
TD 3 MVP’s and DPOTY
Pop COTY
Manu 6th man
TP – most improved.
Bowen – Fair play.

Bowen Fair-play !

Aha back to why TD.
I’m emotional man. That’s why when I started cheering for the spurs I never stopped and I sticked with them. Remember the 1996-7 season? The spurs were losing and I was fresh fan so I could pick another, successful team. I did not. And when it ended I read somewhere that Spurs had first pick in the draft and it was obvious to the NBA world it will be Center – Tim Duncan. And maybe he will be a started. I said wow a rookie a starter? Dayumn. Houston had a Maloney as a started for the whole season but the Spurs had Dave on center I though well maybe this Duncan can be something in this league if they want to play him alongside Robinson. So at once I became a Tim’s fan. And I do not regret it. I’m so glad and pleased that I do not what to say. It meant to be that way.
He is really special to me. I can’t explain it. The idol is not enough. All his failures I take personally. When he had the injury I was really down. Like I had one that day as well.

What are the spurs chances to win this year? Quite big considering the fact they are in the repeat year. They had great summer and got some rest. Pop will divide the minutes so I’m not worried. They are experienced “we are preparing to the playoffs” team. The health is the worry.
But all in all this year must be the one. I like an addition of Udoka and hopefully Washington will make the progress. And if they can make their plan as they want there are no other team that can beat them. Plus Pop does not want the spurs to blow big leads so is is aware about it more then he used. I’m fine with their chances.
Damn I so hope they will repeat. I would then say FVCK to all which thinks Tim is not top 10 ever. (He is TOP 5 IMO).
I give them 90% although I got the good feeling.

[We got dangerous Dallas which wants to prove something, Houston – a new coach in a new environment can make some havoc. Phoenix who wants to destroy the Spurs with their physical play (j/k) with they r&g play. Still look out for Chicago, really! The Utah is right there with their PF- PG combo. Boston looks like a perfect woman and still there can be a team that can explode in the PO like GS did last year.]


First, I am a Spurs fan, second, I am an NBA fan and then I am a human.
In that particular order.


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PS. If you made it through all I can congratulate you, but I do not have any prize for you.
PS.2. Not a bad ending huh? It really sums it up.

My life is not easy. We have a family tragedy right now and thanks Jules you are with me, thanks ST which is my first site I open when I starts the system, thanks Kori for making such a good board, thanks Mr.Dio – I was so happy I got the ST forum Tee.
If not you all my life would me much less interesting.

Cheers to all – I think that’s it.
Aha – thanks Microsoft Word for being with me during all my mistakes in the words. They are mostly fixed.

Btw. If I had more time I would bring something better. I thing I fucked up this entry. But all in all I’m fucked up and that’s the beauty of it.


Any questions?
PM me


THE END

Can I make it in under the wire? I've been meaning to respond to this, but I've been busy editing a compilation of James White fan fiction that I'm sending out to publishers. Is "leaping up so high as to touch the rafters before finally descending from those steel girder clouds to triumphantly and defiantly slam down a thunderous dunk upon the assembled defense of Yao Ming, Ben Wallace, Shaquille O'Neal, and three Apache attack helicopters" a run on sentence?

The story of my fandom starts in the summer of 82 when my mother, for the fourth time, experienced the miracle of immaculate conception. (People have tried to explain that my parents may have had sex at some point. To them I say, "La la la la" as loudly as possible and pour bleach in my ears.) Come March of 83, I was born in San Antonio. While I don't know that I bled silver and black from birth I can assure you that I spit up and pooed the fiesta colors of the old school logo.

So as soon as I could figure out what the hell the purpose of basketball was and mastered the attention span of longer than 24 seconds I became a basketball fan. Having three older brothers who were of similar minds helped that process along considerably. My family were never hard core Spurs fans. My oldest brother was really more of a NBA in general fan, and the other two were more bandwagon Lakers fans who became bandwagon Bulls fans down the line. (They've both since converted, lest anyone think my bloodline is tainted.) While the Bad Boys teams in Detroit came in a close second for a short while, I was Spurs fan through and through, although I can't claim to be the most educated about the game of basketball in the early days. I can remember thinking that the other players in the league must be awfully lazy because David Robinson, even though he was so huge, was always running back up the court faster than them. I of course now understand that most of the players in the league are incredibly lazy, but in the case of David Robinson, he was going to run by you anyways.

What set me apart the most from my peers in my fandom was my utter disdain for hype. Even at the ripe old age of ten I was sick and fucking tired of not being able to turn on a TV without seeing Michael Jordan. With the exception of the Dream Team I never once rooted for Jordan. Best player in the world or not, I wasn't a fan. When most people were crapping their pants over his little mid-air hand switch layup over the Lakers I was saying, "What a showboating little punk." I liked basketball for the competitive element of it, and when someone made it look easy, what was the point? Which made it all the easier to love my Spurs, because any team with Vinny del Negro never makes anything look easy. And it was never easy constantly having to wait until next year for so long.

All time favorite has got to be Sean Elliott. I used to practice corner threes in my backyard because of him. He single handed jumpstarted my life long love affair with Taco Cabana. I can remember being on the verge of tears the day I heard he got shipped to Detroit, even though I liked the Pistons. I've been to two Spurs games in my life time. The first one was during Elliott's absence, and the seats were so high up about the only thing I could see was that Rodman had blue hair that night. The next was in January 97 (the tickets were Christmas gifts), when the Spurs were doing so terribly (my dad joked they would introduce the starting line-up with "And now, what's left of your San Antonio Spurs!"). While the team was much worse the seats were far better. I knew that the Admiral wasn't in the line-up, but I was still psyched because Elliott was back with the team. Understandably the Jazz were heavy favorites, but behind 22 points from AJ and 18 from Elliott (who came out of the tunnel only a few minutes before tip off and moving kind of gingerly) the Spurs pulled off the 83-80 victory. He was the guy I was happiest for in 99, no one was more thrilled when he made history with the post transplant return, and of all the Spurs I saw back in 06 in the hotel lobby before the Rockets game I was the most excited when Sean Elliott waved at our group of Spurstalkers. And for as big of a #32 fan as I was I nearly missed the Memorial Day Miracle. In a moment I'm not very proud of I turned off the game. I still believed the Spurs would win the championship but I was not convinced they were going to make a comeback. I had watched far too many games to their end waiting on a comeback that never came. I turned the TV back on with about 10 seconds to spare before the fateful inbounds pass. All I was looking for was a final score, but instead got to watch the most famous single play in Spurs history.

Since coming to Houston the Spurs have taken on a whole new meaning to me. They help me feel far less homesick, and were a big part of the bonding process with the woman who would become my wife. And thanks to them I've been able to join this wonderful community as well.

In my ripe old age in the Duncan era I find myself fighting a case of Horry-itis in the regular season. It's not that I don't care about the regular season, but I don't really get worked up over wins and losses. I've been just as angry after an ugly win as I have been about any loss. It's all about watching this team grow. As far as this season goes, it's a mother fucking championship or bust!

Time to pick a winner....


First, I want to thank everyone that participated in the “Win an Autographed George Gervin Basketball” contest. I noticed the entries improved greatly after Kori was kind enough to change the name of the thread. I guess people don’t want to hold my ball forever. Fine…your loss.

I love reading about other people’s experiences as fans of the Spurs and what brought them to this team. What I love about the Spurs is that people become fans of this team as much for the integrity of the players and the organization as they do because of the history of winning through the years.

Everyone who entered definitely deserves to win. Unfortunately I have but one ball to give to my forum. If I can come up with some additional consolation prizes I’ll PM the following folks to let them know:

The runners up:

Shelly - You almost won simply by gracing my thread with a post. You know I love you...and it's not just normal love, it's a crazy, perverse sort of love. Just the way I like it.

JimCS50 – The mention of a SPAM sandwich almost won you the ball. I know you’re old school just like I am which always earns points in my book. You and I actually got to see George Gervin play live, unlike the majority of folks in here these days.

Holt’s Cat – Your entry was succinct, which I appreciate if you can make your points come across the way which you did. Your entry had a beat, and I could dance to it. “281” being the road that led you to the Spurs was pretty good...brought a smile to the ol' Chopper's face.

Easjer – Your entry was great. I respond the same way after a loss. As for the victory celebrations, that 8x10 is in the mail!

SFIE – You’re one of those “auto-clickers” I mentioned in my first post. Not awarding you the ball is almost a crime. One of my favorite folks is my youngest brother, who, like you, is also the youngest of four brothers. You’re sense of humor reminds me of him.

SaButta – Your post was great. I can relate to those days of listening to games on WOAI. Luckily for me I could always pick up their frequency at night from wherever I was living thanks to that whole ionosphere thing. Occasionally the Spurs broadcast would get drowned out by mariachi music on the same frequency. Other than that it was all good.

Lefty, I think it’s pretty cool that you became a fan through watching DRob on the Dream Team. I enjoyed reading your post.

Harry Callahan – Nice to see another old schooler! We’re only three years apart and I was right on board with your experience as a fan. My Nerf-hooping experience included 360 degree helicopter dunks however.

TxJudsonRocketTx – It’s great that you maintained your fandom through living in Cali and Arizona. I love watching the Spurs play in Phoenix. I've seen about a half dozen games there. I was there for Manu’s big night in January a couple of season’s back. That goes down as one of the best games I ever saw in person, primarily because it was in Phoenix and taunting their fans in person is oh so fun!

USCKK – Watching your first game with your Dad is a special memory. I did the same thing at the Hemisfair Arena with my dad during the ’76-’77 season. He passed away a little over a year ago and thinking about all those games we sat side by side cheering for the Iceman still brings a tear to my eye.

Polanprzem – Your story was terrific. I really had to struggle with whether to award you the ball. Thanks for posting…I loved reading it.


And the winner is.....

When all was said and done, the post I just couldn’t get out of my head was the one by Brutalis. I was really impressed….so much so in fact that I kept expecting it to end up being a “Fresh Prince” post (see The Club for far too many examples). Thanks for sharing what you did. It was awesome. I think you deserve, and will appreciate this ball. PM me your address and I’ll get your George Gervin ball shipped off in the next few days. Congratulations!!!


Thanks everyone!

:makeout

Congrats, Brutalis!

:clap

Yay!

Here is to you, Brutalis!
:toast

:pctoss

That was a great idea, Chopper...and congrats to Brutalis. Hell of a story.

Now that the contest is over...is easjer going to tell us the details of her post-loss deep-breathing exercises, or is that something else that SFIE has to PM about?

:D

*tiptoes out of the thread*

Quote:

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Originally Posted by travis2

That was a great idea, Chopper...and congrats to Brutalis. Hell of a story.

Now that the contest is over...is easjer going to tell us the details of her post-loss deep-breathing exercises, or is that something else that SFIE has to PM about?

:D

*tiptoes out of the thread*

---

Oh, I'm happy to tell you all about the post-loss deep breathing. It's just a form of self-hypnosis. Now the post-win celebration details- yeah, you'll have to PM my husband. :lol

Well then I guess SFIE is happy the Spurs don't lose much...

Wow... I'm having a terrible day and this just changed everything. I'm surprised to say the least.

Thanks guys for the comments.. I appreciate it to no end.

Ed, thanks .. I'll send you a PM now..

I like the Spurs. They make me smile.

Congrats to Brutalis. I would have demanded a re-count if he didn't win. But alas this isn't Florida, and Ed's chads aren't hanging.

I loved reading everyone's stories - they were all terrific. So thanks Mr. Jones for the post and for the generosity. :tu

Quote:

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Originally Posted by polandprzem

My life is not easy. We have a family tragedy right now ...

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Sorry about that. I hope life gets easier.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Kori Ellis

Sorry about that. I hope life gets easier.

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It never gets easier, at least what I remember.
Way before I came to this word bad things were happening.
And whole my life was not great, but it's rather personal.
Beating and alcohol was included.

What does not kill you will make you stronger they say huh?


And thanks for oppurtunity. Unfortunately I did not put more corefull stories.
:reading


:toast



Hey Ed I knew you did not want to pay for the shipping to Poland
























j/k


:p:

Hehe I'm still mad I did not won.

That's who I am - even in a friendly competition I can't stand the losing.

Congrats to the winner and to the rest of anybody who took that 'challange'.

Brutalis, congrats to you.

I am guessing that the ball would mean more to me than it does to you. I say that because I had seen Ice play hundreds of times in person, and worshiped the ground he walked on for 8 years, so If you want to sell the ball, I will buy it from you. Name your price. I can send you a check and then Ed can mail me the ball instead of you.

Congrats Brutalis.

I'm super jealous, but you deserve it