Are the Spurs the most hated team in the country?

[DazedAndConfused]

I think it's a little alarming that the Spurs can't even sell out playoff games. Do their fans not realize how incredible rare it is to have a championship caliber team that can compete for the better part of a decade?

This doesn't come around often, and after Duncan retires the Spurs could be in rebuild mode for a very long time. Them being in such a small market certainly doesn't help either.

[michaelwcho]

I think we should appreciate the unique situation of having an awesome, but unpopular team.

After all, don't you hate it when some team wins the le, and all of a sudden you got a bunch of posers wearing their gear? It sucks! Better to be a fan of a truly great team that wins the right way. The Spurs are not great entertainers in the modern sense of the word, with high-flying dunks and chest bumps. But we know, and all knowledgable fans know, that what we have is fascinating, unprecedented, and all-time great.

We don't need the bandwagoners. We'll just have to survive being on ESPN's list.

[sprrs]

I don't say this to be offensive, but I say it because you asked the question.
Please don't call me a jealous in response and please don't resort to flaming the Jazz and Hawks.

The answer is yes. Not only are you the most hated team in the country, you are BY FAR the most hated team in the country. I actively root against you. Everyone I know who follows the NBA actively roots against you. I'll often hear the question- who do you want in the finals. The inevitable answer is always two teams followed by, "really, anyone but the Spurs."

We're not jealous. It has nothing to do with your rings other than the fact that people don't like you or your players to begin with and the fact you win championships makes it that much worse. You are just not a likable team. Bill Simmons had a podcast this week where him and Matt Berry were speculating as to why people dislike Kobe so much. Berry basically said that for whatever reason there are just people you look at and right off the bat you either like them, or don't like them. Kobe is a just a guy you don't like. The same goes for your team. Duncan is not likable. His personality and his game bore people. Ginobili is downright hatable- His flopping and unconventional play really gets under opposition skin. Parker is not likable. The way you play is very, very effective, but frankly it isn't very likable. There are very few athletic highlight in Spurs games you know. You just go out and quietly kill people- which is not likable. Your arena and court design are not likable. Your crying about fouls all the time is not likable. Texas as a whole, is not very likable. Basically, people look at you and just don't like you. It sucks for you, but based on the mundane product on the floor, the effecicacy of said product and the often en led at ude of the team, it shouldn't be very surprising.

I used to root big time for the 90's Jazz teams. Everyone hated us. It's not because they were jealous. In that case they would have hated Chicago. It's because we were a slow, effective, flopping & hard-nosed team from a small, rural market and we had unlikable players. It was effective and beautiful basketball, just like the Spurs of today, but I understand why they hated us. In other words- I don't get why you guys don't understand the same thing about your team?

The thing is, if it's not jealousy, then why is it just (mostly) the Spurs? Why not hate on other, lesser teams who are just as "boring"? Because they don't win. Sure doesn't sound like jealousy to me

[spursfan09]

I don't say this to be offensive, but I say it because you asked the question.
Please don't call me a jealous in response and please don't resort to flaming the Jazz and Hawks.

The answer is yes. Not only are you the most hated team in the country, you are BY FAR the most hated team in the country. I actively root against you. Everyone I know who follows the NBA actively roots against you. I'll often hear the question- who do you want in the finals. The inevitable answer is always two teams followed by, "really, anyone but the Spurs."

We're not jealous. It has nothing to do with your rings other than the fact that people don't like you or your players to begin with and the fact you win championships makes it that much worse. You are just not a likable team. Bill Simmons had a podcast this week where him and Matt Berry were speculating as to why people dislike Kobe so much. Berry basically said that for whatever reason there are just people you look at and right off the bat you either like them, or don't like them. Kobe is a just a guy you don't like. The same goes for your team. Duncan is not likable. His personality and his game bore people. Ginobili is downright hatable- His flopping and unconventional play really gets under opposition skin. Parker is not likable. The way you play is very, very effective, but frankly it isn't very likable. There are very few athletic highlight in Spurs games you know. You just go out and quietly kill people- which is not likable. Your arena and court design are not likable. Your crying about fouls all the time is not likable. Texas as a whole, is not very likable. Basically, people look at you and just don't like you. It sucks for you, but based on the mundane product on the floor, the effecicacy of said product and the often en led at ude of the team, it shouldn't be very surprising.

I used to root big time for the 90's Jazz teams. Everyone hated us. It's not because they were jealous. In that case they would have hated Chicago. It's because we were a slow, effective, flopping & hard-nosed team from a small, rural market and we had unlikable players. It was effective and beautiful basketball, just like the Spurs of today, but I understand why they hated us. In other words- I don't get why you guys don't understand the same thing about your team?

I thought you were making good points until you started about Texans and the state of Texas. Are you saying people might hate the spurs becasue they are from Texas? Oh and I am a Texan, I think if you just spotted me you would already hate me. I am just saying...

[balli]

I thought you were making good points until you started about Texans and the state of Texas. Are you saying people might hate the spurs becasue they are from Texas? Oh and I am a Texan, I think if you just spotted me you would already hate me. I am just saying...

Well a lot people don't like Texas. Any state that has their own pledge and the slogan "don't mess with us" is going to be viewed as a little self-righteous by outsiders. Especially when you take Houston (The fattest and dirtiest city) and George Bush into account. Theres even a website for people who live there to about it. http://txsucks.com. Like the site says: Texas bravado- as dumb as the state is big. I say all that in jest BTW. I actually liked San Antonio a lot the one time I've been there.

But that wasn't my point. My point was that you are in a small, rural market, much like my own team in Utah and that generally there aren't many people from outside TX who have cause to root for you. Conversely, places like Chicago, LA, New York, Boston... Even like Seattle, Miami and such, have a lot of transplants and people outside of their cities who would have a reason to root for them based on the locale.

[SAtown]

But that wasn't my point. My point was that you are in a small, rural market, much like my own team in Utah and that generally there aren't many people from outside TX who have cause to root for you.

You do realize that TONS of Spurs fans on Spurstalk aren't even from Texas... and that's only a small fraction of how many non-Texans actually root for the Spurs.

[BonnerDynasty]

Texas would win a states battle royale.

[balli]

You do realize that TONS of Spurs fans on Spurstalk aren't even from Texas... and that's only a small fraction of how many non-Texans actually root for the Spurs.

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.

[balli]

Texas would win a states battle royale.

That. I will not disagree with. I'm a pretty damn liberal when it comes to war, but if I'm still living in America when does hit the fan, it's nice to know that there'll be a bunch of crazy as Texans on our side.

[Xylus]

I don't say this to be offensive, but I say it because you asked the question.
Please don't call me a jealous in response and please don't resort to flaming the Jazz and Hawks.

The answer is yes. Not only are you the most hated team in the country, you are BY FAR the most hated team in the country. I actively root against you. Everyone I know who follows the NBA actively roots against you. I'll often hear the question- who do you want in the finals. The inevitable answer is always two teams followed by, "really, anyone but the Spurs."

We're not jealous. It has nothing to do with your rings other than the fact that people don't like you or your players to begin with and the fact you win championships makes it that much worse. You are just not a likable team. Bill Simmons had a podcast this week where him and Matt Berry were speculating as to why people dislike Kobe so much. Berry basically said that for whatever reason there are just people you look at and right off the bat you either like them, or don't like them. Kobe is a just a guy you don't like. The same goes for your team. Duncan is not likable. His personality and his game bore people. Ginobili is downright hatable- His flopping and unconventional play really gets under opposition skin. Parker is not likable. The way you play is very, very effective, but frankly it isn't very likable. There are very few athletic highlight in Spurs games you know. You just go out and quietly kill people- which is not likable. Your arena and court design are not likable. Your crying about fouls all the time is not likable. Texas as a whole, is not very likable. Basically, people look at you and just don't like you. It sucks for you, but based on the mundane product on the floor, the effecicacy of said product and the often en led at ude of the team, it shouldn't be very surprising.

I used to root big time for the 90's Jazz teams. Everyone hated us. It's not because they were jealous. In that case they would have hated Chicago. It's because we were a slow, effective, flopping & hard-nosed team from a small, rural market and we had unlikable players. It was effective and beautiful basketball, just like the Spurs of today, but I understand why they hated us. In other words- I don't get why you guys don't understand the same thing about your team?

+1

Good post. I wouldn't take offense to it, Spurs fans. You should be extremely proud of the way your team handles itself on and off the court, but the fact of the matter is that very few basketball fans actively root for your team once their team has been eliminated from the postseason.

People only truly hate winning teams, so it's nothing to be upset over.

[Jason_Terry]

I don't think most people care enough (except for maybe Suns fans) to hate the Spurs. ESPN, well, that's a different story.

I think either the Cowboys or Lakers take the prize for most hated team in America. Neither one of them have won anything in a long time, so I do think it has a little more to do with a team just winning too much as to why they're hated.

[ransome]

I'm not asking for a pity thread, I'm just asking.


It sure seems that way.

Absolutely. They also pull the lowest final tv ratings, everyone outside San Antonio hates your team.

[QuietDynasty]

I don't say this to be offensive, but I say it because you asked the question.
Please don't call me a jealous in response and please don't resort to flaming the Jazz and Hawks.

The answer is yes. Not only are you the most hated team in the country, you are BY FAR the most hated team in the country. I actively root against you. Everyone I know who follows the NBA actively roots against you. I'll often hear the question- who do you want in the finals. The inevitable answer is always two teams followed by, "really, anyone but the Spurs."

We're not jealous. It has nothing to do with your rings other than the fact that people don't like you or your players to begin with and the fact you win championships makes it that much worse. You are just not a likable team. Bill Simmons had a podcast this week where him and Matt Berry were speculating as to why people dislike Kobe so much. Berry basically said that for whatever reason there are just people you look at and right off the bat you either like them, or don't like them. Kobe is a just a guy you don't like. The same goes for your team. Duncan is not likable. His personality and his game bore people. Ginobili is downright hatable- His flopping and unconventional play really gets under opposition skin. Parker is not likable. The way you play is very, very effective, but frankly it isn't very likable. There are very few athletic highlight in Spurs games you know. You just go out and quietly kill people- which is not likable. Your arena and court design are not likable. Your crying about fouls all the time is not likable. Texas as a whole, is not very likable. Basically, people look at you and just don't like you. It sucks for you, but based on the mundane product on the floor, the effecicacy of said product and the often en led at ude of the team, it shouldn't be very surprising.

I used to root big time for the 90's Jazz teams. Everyone hated us. It's not because they were jealous. In that case they would have hated Chicago. It's because we were a slow, effective, flopping & hard-nosed team from a small, rural market and we had unlikable players. It was effective and beautiful basketball, just like the Spurs of today, but I understand why they hated us. In other words- I don't get why you guys don't understand the same thing about your team?

sounds to me like a jealous wow where did u come up with all that lol

[SAtown]

Absolutely. They also pull the lowest final tv ratings, everyone outside San Antonio hates your team.

da_suns_fan?

[QuietDynasty]

Absolutely. They also pull the lowest final tv ratings, everyone outside San Antonio hates your team.

im sure the phoenix would trade everything they have, the nut swingers club special popular throne (espn) and being love, for just a chance, just one, and i mean only one of the rings Timmy and company have


so yeah how you like them apples, hateable, with 4 rings mofockas!

[balli]

sounds to me like a jealous wow where did u come up with all that lol

Unfortunately for you all that is true. Don't call me a jealous . Learn to think.

[DazedAndConfused]

I don't think most people care enough (except for maybe Suns fans) to hate the Spurs. ESPN, well, that's a different story.

I think either the Cowboys or Lakers take the prize for most hated team in America. Neither one of them have won anything in a long time, so I do think it has a little more to do with a team just winning too much as to why they're hated.

Really???

Los Angeles Lakers

1999-2000, 2000-2001, 2001-2002 NBA Champions

Unless you consider 5-6 years ago to be a LONG time.....

[balli]

im sure the phoenix would trade everything they have, the nut swingers club special popular throne (espn) and being love, for just a chance, just one, and i mean only one of the rings Timmy and company have


so yeah how you like them apples, hateable, with 4 rings mofockas!

fail

[SRJ]

The San Antonio Spurs are an object lesson in the hypocracy of media commentary.

Beginning in the 1990's, talking heads made retirement money by ripping athletes to shreds for winning without dignity, losing without grace, trash talking, and playing a style of game without regard for fundamental skills. Listen to sports radio and watch ESPN and you'll see that this trend hasn't slowed a bit.

So what happens? The San Antonio Spurs give the world a team that wins with dignity, loses with grace, consistently praises the opposition, plays the right way...and the talking heads don't like it. Their parrots at home and in the stands repeat the message ad nauseam.

I know that the Popovich-Duncan Spurs are the best team of its time in any sport precisely because the talking heads hate them or ignore them. And it makes me smile. All of that bull makes me embrace the asterisks; every time we win, jackasses everywhere give us asterisks. Bring 'em on.

[easjer]

See, I couldn't understand for the longest time why anyone thought Duncan/Parker/Ginobili/etc were boring or emotionless. It was obvious to me that they are intensely emotional, and play with flair and panache. I couldn't understand why the wry humor and the subtle jabs and jokes with the media were overlooked.

I understood the winning/jealousy thing. I understood the boring/plodding/defense-driven/half-court/no highlight reel hate. I understood the working chemistry issues. I just couldn't understand what was not to like.

And then it came to me, with my new coworker - she is a Houston fan, but watches a fair amount of basketball. One day, I was sad at lunch, so I watched one of the HEB commercials to make myself laugh. She asked what it was and I showed her and she started laughing too. Sure, it's a dumb, lame little commercial, but she said that she finally understood why I liked them so much.

Outside of SA, you don't get to see a lot of the personality and emotion that this team has. They don't seem likable, because you don't know about Tim Duncan sneaking a coke into the movies, or about Ginobili coming over to joke with fans at an away game. The personality stops at the sideline, because they are professionals and all about business. If you don't see them locally and know them, you miss out on a lot.

[J_Paco]

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've ran with this team for nearly 15+ years, I'm 25, and I've never lived a die of my life in Texas. Maybe I root for this team because of guys like David Robinson and Tim Duncan, and that's exactly why others hate the team. People say they want the "good guy" to win, but that's a lie. People root for the anti-hero, especially in this society, and the Spurs don't represent that.

It also doesn't help that Tim suffers from "Kareem Abdul-Jabbar media relationship syndrome." Oh well, I've heard the same since he stepped onto the court in '97 and it doesn't bother me anymore. He's got the les and accolades that everyone else wants.

Oh, also you'd be surprised how many people wear Spurs gear at their annual game in the Nation's Capital. , I know I've been very shocked at how many Spurs fans are at the Verizon Center (bandwagon or not).

[Brutalis]

I don't say this to be offensive, but I say it because you asked the question.
Please don't call me a jealous in response and please don't resort to flaming the Jazz and Hawks.

The answer is yes. Not only are you the most hated team in the country, you are BY FAR the most hated team in the country. I actively root against you. Everyone I know who follows the NBA actively roots against you. I'll often hear the question- who do you want in the finals. The inevitable answer is always two teams followed by, "really, anyone but the Spurs."

We're not jealous. It has nothing to do with your rings other than the fact that people don't like you or your players to begin with and the fact you win championships makes it that much worse. You are just not a likable team. Bill Simmons had a podcast this week where him and Matt Berry were speculating as to why people dislike Kobe so much. Berry basically said that for whatever reason there are just people you look at and right off the bat you either like them, or don't like them. Kobe is a just a guy you don't like. The same goes for your team. Duncan is not likable. His personality and his game bore people. Ginobili is downright hatable- His flopping and unconventional play really gets under opposition skin. Parker is not likable. The way you play is very, very effective, but frankly it isn't very likable. There are very few athletic highlight in Spurs games you know. You just go out and quietly kill people- which is not likable. Your arena and court design are not likable. Your crying about fouls all the time is not likable. Texas as a whole, is not very likable. Basically, people look at you and just don't like you. It sucks for you, but based on the mundane product on the floor, the effecicacy of said product and the often en led at ude of the team, it shouldn't be very surprising.

I used to root big time for the 90's Jazz teams. Everyone hated us. It's not because they were jealous. In that case they would have hated Chicago. It's because we were a slow, effective, flopping & hard-nosed team from a small, rural market and we had unlikable players. It was effective and beautiful basketball, just like the Spurs of today, but I understand why they hated us. In other words- I don't get why you guys don't understand the same thing about your team?

Whatever point you tried to make failed. Comparing the any decade Jazz against these Spurs is senseless. No I am not offended nor do I think you're jealous either. Just somewhat ignorant.

[balli]

Comparing the any decade Jazz against these Spurs is senseless.

I was talking about the 90's Jazz. And I am below.
Let's see: Are they both from small markets? Check. Are they both hard-nosed defensive teams? Check. Are they both effecient in the way they score? Check. Are they both disliked by the rest of the nation? Check. Do they both have players known for flopping? Check. Are they both really good teams? Check. Are they both teams that start with a hall of fame PF? Check. Are they both kind of unathletic? Check. Do they both have a lot of good character guys? Check. Has Pop consistently said he sort of modeled his team after the Jazz and that he respects Jerry Sloan above all others? Check. Careful, you're sounding somewhat ignorant.

[pjjrfan]

Who cares!!!!!! I love my Spurs win or lose been that way since they were born.

[fyatuk]

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 repe ive 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.