Are the Spurs the most hated team in the country?

Everyone has their own reasons. It doesn't suprise me. Not many people know anything about San Antonio, so that already makes the team undesireable for most people. Toss in the fact that the 99 and 03 teams did play a very repetitive 4-down style (our first real showing on the national stage) against very inferior teams, add in a measure of all people involved with the Spurs shunning the spotlight (Tony Parker is the closest thing to a media darling we have), and there's not much to appeal to people not from the region.

There's just so many reasons for a person who doesn't follow the Spurs like us to dislike them. We know the players and coaches like no one else CAN know them, and we see how likeable they are, while others just see them want to run from the media. When I've seen that with teams that weren't my teams, it always struck me as aloofness and an air of superiority. After witnessing these Spurs, I know that's not always the case.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by doldrums

If we didn't win, nobody would hate us

---

+1 Exactly!

^ That's true. Nobody spends time hating on a losing team. That isn't the reason you're hated though. Plenty of teams have won a lot without being universally hated. Don't know what makes you any different?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by SAtown

da_suns_fan? :rollin

---

Where has that twat been, anyway?
Him and that other skidmark yourcheatinheart haven't been leaving any pearls of wisdom around here lately.
Poor mislead asshats.

What strikes me as funny is all the "you"s in that post. As if the people of Spurstalk actually make up the Spurs team and organization. I have no problem with anyone hating the Spurs, although I find it a little sad and pathetic that people actually feel hatred toward a group of people they don't actually know and even more so, people who play a game for a living. That being said, people can like and dislike who they want but to say one team is definitely the most hated is stupid because something like that is opinion and not fact since it cannot be proven accurately.

Just my .02

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ballijuana

^ That's true. Nobody spends time hating on a losing team. That isn't the reason you're hated though. Plenty of teams have won a lot without being universally hated. Don't know what makes you any different?

---

Where do you get that we are universally hated? Spurs have fans in North America, South America, Europe, etc....

Also, I hope you don't think that insulting the Spurs and all Texans repeatedly makes us truly upset. The more fans of other teams we can upset, the better. I love closing out games in opposing arenas, and I love how they cannot deny that the Spurs are the better team. Period. The Spurs can be hated by millions for all I care. I love how this city gets together and enjoys Championship after Championship after Championship. It's a feeling you can't even describe. :D Go Spurs Go!

:lobt2::lobt2::lobt2::lobt2:

I would agree though that teams like the Yankees, Cowboys, Lakers and Notre Dame have decades of a head start of being hated. Those teams have been the object of scorn by many generations of people, it gets passed on from generation to generation. Being here in Big 10 country (yes, I live outside of Texas and root for the Spurs. :) ) I see the ND hate that has been passed on. The only thing that Michigan and Michigan State fans can agree on is their hatred of the Irish.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by samikeyp

What strikes me as funny is all the "you"s in that post. As if the people of Spurstalk actually make up the Spurs team and organization. I have no problem with anyone hating the Spurs, although I find it a little sad and pathetic that people actually feel hatred toward a group of people they don't actually know and even more so, people who play a game for a living. That being said, people can like and dislike who they want but to say one team is definitely the most hated is stupid because something like that is opinion and not fact since it cannot be proven accurately.

Just my .02

---

Well what do you want a stastical analysis of a market's likability? And you do realize that the word "hate" is being used as a hyperbolic one right? I mean I don't think anyone who's used the expression wants to commit genocide against the Spurs and we don't actually hate them in the Hitler mold if that's what you're suggesting. It's a common term often used in a culturally-disseminated way to express displeasure or dislike.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ballijuana

Well what do you want a stastical analysis of a market's likability? And you do realize that the word "hate" is being used as a hyperbolic one right? I mean I don't think anyone who's used the expression wants to commit genocide against the Spurs and we don't actually hate them in the Hitler mold if that's what you're suggesting. It's a common term often used in a culturally-disseminated way to express displeasure or dislike.

---

I understand how the term is used, my point is that I don't think its needed in reference to sports. I also realize to each his or her own and while I don't use it and don't care for it doesn't mean I am trying to scold others or convince anyone to change the way they act.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by LuvBones

Also, I hope you don't think that insulting the Spurs and all Texans repeatedly makes us truly upset.

---

I haven't repeatedly been insulting the spurs and their fans. I've said that I don't like them and I've explained why. I've also said that I loved San Antonio when I was there and that all my criticisms of TX, other than that San Antonio is a small market, were in complete jest. I've probably said how much I respect the Spurs about 15 times. I've called them efficient and I've called their style of play beautiful and effective. I haven't said a word about the fans other than that I prefer the crowds in larger markets. In fact, except for dressing down one poster who was being an immature bitch, I think I've gone out of my way to be as amicable and kind as possible while disagreeing with the majority viewpoint. If I've repeatedly insulted you, or TX, I'm sorry. That truly wasn't my intention. I'm not sorry for saying I dislike the Spurs though. I'm allowed to form my own opinion and if that's what insulted you, well, tough.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by samikeyp

I understand how the term is used, my point is that I don't think its needed in reference to sports. I also realize to each his or her own and while I don't use it and don't care for it doesn't mean I am trying to scold others or convince anyone to change the way they act.

---

Duly noted. Just wanted to make sure.

P.S. Hell yeah J Smoove.

Many people jump from one thing to another, clothing, cell phones, even the words they speak with. One thing hardly changes and that's the Spurs. You can't change what they do because they play as one and are the best at that.
So that irritates a lot of people, people who want to see new faces but end up seeing the same Spurs every year at the playoffs.
It's not even about sports, it's about how people want to hear about Britney Spears and other's messing up instead of about news that's a lot more positive and good to hear.
So those same people want to see someone else at the finals, like as if they could bend or break the rules because they buy Nike sportswear and drink sportsade and think they deserve to call the shots because they spent money on sports stuff or have a Superman Howard poster on their wall.

^Whatever you are talking about has only been true since Duncan came aboard. The Spurs were completely irrelevant before then as they will be afterward, unless you think winning division titles means something.

I think hate has a lot of levels and means different things to different people.
People disliked David Robinson and maybe the Spurs by association when they came to realize the things he believed in and stood for, especially how he stood at attention during the national anthem before games and before Tim Duncan joined the Spurs.
Streetball, hip hop and longer shorts worn by players became popular and the Spurs were not changing with the way things were changing back then.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ballijuana

I realize that there are a lot of foreign fans who became Spurs fans by supporting foreign players. Otherwise probably not a lot who don't have a connection to Texas in some capacity. At least not in comparison to the other markets I mentioned.

---

I'm not from Texas, or Argentina, or France, or Slovenia, or.......

I have absolutely no connection to Texas. But one day I turned on the tv and watched the Spurs play and I was a goner. It probably helped that I didn't spend too much time on the web back then. Because I think someone who watches the Spurs for the first time, without any influence from the media, could really like the Spurs.

I agree with whoever said that it's probably also because outside of San Antonio, people don't really get to see that much of the Spurs. But I'm fortunate enough to have found this board that gives me a lot of gems. If not, I never would've seen Matt Bonner in drag, or Tim Duncan wearing an ugly wig. :lol

One of them, but like i said the Spurs are also one of the best in the entire league. :hat

No one can stop the winners of the Spurs :D

Has this jealous bitch gone away yet?

Hated because they simply have a 'Heart of a Champion'.
Classy organization from the owner, coaches, players they do it humbly with style.
They have great respect to their oponents.
Egoless players...none selfish...they do what is good for the entire team.
High IQ rosters...mental toughness one of the great characteristic of being a champion.
Great coach...bringing a low profile player into 4 championship in 7 years is consider a genius.
Play very efficient every game. Everything they do is meaningful. They don't waste effort to win meaningless game.
Plenty of talented players. They have many players that can step up and carry the offense to win every game. (Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker, Michael Finley, none high scorer but can be dangerous in a close scoring games - Robert Horry, Brent Barry, Bruce Bowen, Ime Udoka)
They only exposed their best talent during playoffs. During regular season they only exert enough to put them selves in a good playoff position for a great position to win a championship.
Great defense...top defensive players Bruce Bowen and Ime Udoka. Capable to shutdown one or two top scoring player of the oponents and let the big three take care of the offense.
Every game they have different look offensively that make it really to for the opponents to defend.
Being a champion this year is very possible. Top possible opponent.
Lakers - Bruce Bowen and Ime Udoka will simply shutdown Kobe Bryant and let Tim Duncan take care of Pau Gasol. The rest can play around with Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker. Although Lakers did a big improvement this year and Kobe Bryant as the MVP this year they are one of the thoughest team in the West along with Utah Jazz. But the Spurs are still the best team in the West overall. They did not made it to be the no 1 in the West because of injuries of the Big Three players.
Celtics - will be the toughest match. Tim Duncan vs Kevin Garnett...infairness to Kevin Garnet but Tim Duncan can overplay him. Point guard match up..Rondo is one of the best point guard but offensively Tony Parker can shread him into pieces. Michael Finley vs Ray Allen will be a tough match but I will take Ray Allen between them. Manu Ginobili and Paul Pierce...Manu Ginobili no doubt.

I can see Spurs and Celtics for this year championship so far in the first round of play-off. But if Spurs win the championship this year they are considered as a dynasty. Considering for next year at least...in addition of Euroleague top Center and Playoff MVP this year Tiago Splitter to replace Francisco Elson, men they SPurs will have a deeper bench player next year. Also another addition a power forward Ian Mahinmi this team will be solid.