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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.
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.Quote:
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.
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.
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.Quote:
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.
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:
Originally Posted by Ed Helicopter Jones
Quote:
Originally Posted by alamo50
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.
:lol lol wtf?? :wtfQuote:
Originally Posted by duncan228
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:Quote:
and win one of my balls in the process.
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:
Originally Posted by Kori Ellis
:depressed
Mine did not make you cry???
That's all right.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jimcs50
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:
Originally Posted by polandprzem
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.