With apologies to the writers of one of the great American movie scenes.
Setting: A luncheon hosted by the Spurs for Season Ticket Holders who have not yet renewed for 2010-11. Coach Pop takes questions from the fans....
Disgruntled Spurs Fan (DSF): Coach Popovich! Did you overplay the "big red?!!"
Peter Holt: You don't have to answer that question!
Coach Popovich (Pop): I'll answer the question. You want answers?
DSF: I think I'm en led to them.
Pop: You want answers?!
DSF: I want the truth!
Pop: You can't handle the truth!
Son, we live in a world that has balls, and those balls have to be hoisted by big men with red hair. Who's gonna do it? You? I have a greater responsibility than you can possibly fathom. You weep for Mahinmi, and you curse the Front Office. You have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know -- that Mahinmi's loss, while tragic, probably saved wins; and my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, saves wins.
You don't want the truth because deep down in places you don't talk about on internet message boards, you want Matt to shoot that ball -- you need Matt to shoot that ball.
We use words like "stretch four," "PER," "plus/minus." We use these words as the backbone of a life spent defending something. You use them as a punch line.
I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very basketball greatness that I provide and then questions the manner in which I provide it.
I would rather that you just said "thank you" and went on your way. Otherwise, I suggest you buy a ticket and stand up and cheer. Either way, I don't give a DAMN what you think you're en led to!
DSF: Did you overplay the "big red?"
Pop: I did the job I was –
DSF: -- Did you overplay the "big red?!"
Pop: You're god damn right I did!!!
