Ice Snubbed In 1978

**Thomas82** · 09-09-2015

It was obvious that being snubbed is nothing new for the Spurs, but how in the world did George Gervin not deserve the MVP in 1978?

I understand that Bill Walton was dominant, and that he was already a reigning champion, but he missed the last 3rd of that season. Ice played in all 82 games, won the scoring le, and the Spurs won their division. SMH

**wildbill2u** · 09-09-2015

The NBA absolutely hated the ABA. The merger was accomplished only because the leagues were pricing themselves out of business by paying what was then considered outrageous amounts of money to super stars. Basketball was not really considered a top tier professional sport at the time.

All that being said, many of us felt like the NBA harbored a grudge and stuck it to the old ABA teams whenever they could. They even took away the stats of the players from the ABA years in their hallowed career stats. There were a few referees who seemed to call fouls a little differently when the teams were an old line NBA team and a ABA team. For example, how about a playoff game against the Lakers where the first half stats had the Spurs with over 20 shooting fouls and the Lakers had ZERO. The conference finals series against the Bullets was the worst. It was so bad that Doug Moe the coach complained and was fined a hefty amount. The Spurs fans began a campaign to pay his fine and we did it with pennies to show our contempt for the NBA refs.

And its no secret that Stern hated the Spurs forever, probably because they were successful in a small market and kept some of the big-drawing metro NBA teams out of the playoffs with a resulting loss of revenue and fan interest.

**Spurtacular** · 09-09-2015

Originally Posted by wildbill2u

There were a few referees who seemed to call fouls a little differently when the teams were an old line NBA team and a ABA team. For example, how about a playoff game against the Lakers where the first half stats had the Spurs with over 20 shooting fouls and the Lakers had ZERO.

What playoff game was that?

**exstatic** · 09-09-2015

Red Auerbach HATED the ABA. It was so sweet when we passed Boston for 2nd (at the time) all time RS win %.

**lefty** · 09-09-2015

Originally Posted by exstatic

It was so sweet when we passed Boston for 2nd (at the time) all time RS win %.

Yeah because Red really gave a about that stat

**exstatic** · 09-09-2015

Originally Posted by lefty

Yeah because Red really gave a about that stat

If he weren't dead, he would have. The man's picture was next to "arrogant" in the dictionary. As it was, he was probably turning high RPMs in his coffin or urn or whatever to see an ABA team do that.

**apalisoc_9** · 09-09-2015

Originally Posted by lefty

Yeah because Red really gave a about that stat

**Spurtacular** · 09-09-2015

Originally Posted by exstatic

If he weren't dead, he would have. The man's picture was next to "arrogant" in the dictionary. As it was, he was probably turning high RPMs in his coffin or urn or whatever to see an ABA team do that.

Red was much humbler than Phil Jackson ever was, imo. That said, I'm interested in whatever evidence that he hated the ABA.

**UNT Eagles 2016** · 09-09-2015

Originally Posted by exstatic

Red Auerbach HATED the ABA. It was so sweet when we passed Boston for 2nd (at the time) all time RS win %.

Considering the Spurs lost to the ing Flint Tropics the last game of the last ABA regular season, it's been a of a ride ever since

**exstatic** · 09-09-2015

Originally Posted by Spurtacular

Red was much humbler than Phil Jackson ever was, imo. That said, I'm interested in whatever evidence that he hated the ABA.

Auerbach Humble? Um, nope

**TowelWaver** · 09-09-2015

https://youtu.be/bRF9BVggKr4?t=374

Auerbach: "Let 'em rot."

**exstatic** · 09-09-2015

One of my happiest moments as a basketball fan was seeing the game pass Auerbach by in 2001 when he drafted Joseph Forte at 21 with Parker, Agent Zero, and even Earl Watson still on the board.

**Thomas82** · 09-09-2015

Originally Posted by wildbill2u

The NBA absolutely hated the ABA. The merger was accomplished only because the leagues were pricing themselves out of business by paying what was then considered outrageous amounts of money to super stars. Basketball was not really considered a top tier professional sport at the time.

All that being said, many of us felt like the NBA harbored a grudge and stuck it to the old ABA teams whenever they could. They even took away the stats of the players from the ABA years in their hallowed career stats. There were a few referees who seemed to call fouls a little differently when the teams were an old line NBA team and a ABA team. For example, how about a playoff game against the Lakers where the first half stats had the Spurs with over 20 shooting fouls and the Lakers had ZERO. The conference finals series against the Bullets was the worst. It was so bad that Doug Moe the coach complained and was fined a hefty amount. The Spurs fans began a campaign to pay his fine and we did it with pennies to show our contempt for the NBA refs.

And its no secret that Stern hated the Spurs forever, probably because they were successful in a small market and kept some of the big-drawing metro NBA teams out of the playoffs with a resulting loss of revenue and fan interest.

Excellent post!!