Reply With Quote
Uh, I don't think so. Mark Bryant is retired. I can't think of anyone else you could be thinking of.
Nope, there's one guy still active I believe. Just one...
Hint:He has some similarities with David Robinson...
Uh, I don't think so. Mark Bryant is retired. I can't think of anyone else you could be thinking of.
Oh yeah, Uncle Cliffy.
They both have a good reason to sing "here's to you Mrs.Robinson"
Could a backlash from Coyote fans be the cause of the hatred directed by some Spurs fans to AJ?San Antonio Express-News
S.A. Life Page 1F
Is Yote vote a winner? Fur sure!
Susan Yerkes
Publication Date : November 3, 1996
I have seen Bill Clinton at the Alamo. I have seen Bob Dole on TV. I have seen Ross Perot , ears flapping in his own hot air.
But I have never seen a candidate like the Spurs Coyote .
It's crazy, but in the red-white-and-blue outfit he cribbed from Al "Uncle Sam" Rohde , the Coyote looks, well - Lincoln esque.
Tall, big nose, facial fur . . . the buggy eyes and tail give him away. But hey! It's the '90s. And the big head qualifies him for politics.
The Yote (as in "Yote for the Spurs") is campaigning all over town, unveiling a list of election promises aimed at fan appeal. Among them:
Better transportation (Spurs-adorned KISS-FM VIA buses). More parking. Better sound. More nostalgia (the Bob Dole card).
And "the hottest entertainment package in the NBA," from Silver Dancers to KTFM's new goofy, energetic Extreme Team.
And of course, the Coyote.
"Fur More Years" and "Vote the Yote" are catchy. And the Coyote, who carries a baby doll to kiss between pumping paws, is a pro.
At a Spurs Foundation Tip-Off lunch Wednesday to benefit children's charities, the team went on the record for the Coyote.
"He's got more facial hair than me!" Vinny del Negro said.
Sean Elliott endorses everything else. Why not the Yote?
Carl Herrera said the Coyote promised him more salsa music at games. Avery Johnson swore the Yote promised creole gumbo for a vote. ("But Ah don't want any dawg hair in it," A.J. drawled.)
yeap got it
True or false: Karl Malone beat a Pinata to death at Hemisphere Arena in 1990...
Extra credit if you can tell a unique characteristic of that Pinata
Edit: ...that was kind a stupid way to phrase the question now wasn't it?
I guess just answer the extra credit part if you can
Hey SPARKY, while you're at it ... you should post those Kevin O'Keefe articles where he ripped Pop. And how about that one that talks about the "secret deal" with Vinny.
I saw that loser (O'Keefe) at Albertson's right after the Spurs won the championship in 1999. At that time, he didn't have a job and was a tee-ball umpire or some ish.
Damn, you'd have been an awesome teacher. Was the pinata pink?
Spurs fans, if any of you complain about this current team SPARKY will beat you down:
San Antonio Express-News
Page 2G
lockerroom with rally that quietens Sonics Bench provides spark for team in second half
Tom Orsborn Express-News Staff Writer
Publication Date : March 31, 1993
Seattle guard Ricky Pierce probably had a good laugh in the third period when Spurs rookie Lloyd Daniels told him the game wasn't over.
Thirty minutes later, however, the laughs were over for Pierce and just beginning for Daniels and his teammates.
Propelled by reserves Daniels (edit- that's Lloyd, not AD), Vinny Del Negro, Sam Mack and Larry Smith, the Spurs overcame a 20-point third-period deficit to claim a 99-97 victory over the Sonics.
"Ricky was kind of laughing and talking some trash in the third period," said Daniels, who scored 18 points, 10 in the fourth period. "That's when I said, 'Ricky be careful. We haven't made our run yet. It over yet, baby. It aint' over 'till the fat lady sings.' "
Daniels tied the game at 91-91 with a driving bank shot with 4:19 left. After sinking the shot, he turned to Seattle coach George Karl and flashed a wide grin.
"I looked over there and laughed," Daniels said. "I just wanted them to know it ain't over 'till the fat lady sings. It ain't over, baby. We made our run and then the fat lady started singing."
Daniels, Del Negro, Mack and Smith, along with David Robinson, played the bulk of the fourth period for the Spurs. All five played outstanding defense, harrassing Seattle into five turnovers and 4-of-15 shooting in the final quarter.
"Those guys (Daniels, Del Negro, Mack and Smith) can play," said Sean Elliott, who canned the game-winning basket with 2.4 seconds left. "I am so damn proud of Sam Mack and those guys. They came in fresh and played great defense. I can't say enough about the way those guys played. They saved us.
"Our second team can play, let me tell you. I mean they can play. They kick the first team's ass every day in practice. Everyday. I can't remember the last time the first team beat them. Sometimes they spank us. They beat the mess out of us. They deserve the credit for this win."
Elliott and Robinson, however, deserve a lot of credit for the game-winning play. Robinson's solid pick of Eddie Johnson opened Elliott for the shot.
"David set a great pick on that play," Elliott said. "He took out two guys (Johnson and Shawn Kemp, who was guarding Robinson). David was alert. He played a of a second half. That was an alert play. No question."
Del Negro (nine points, four assists and a steal in 19 minutes) and Mack (five points, three rebounds, three assists and a steal in 12 minutes) also had a few alert plays in the fourth.
"The thing I wanted to do was get the team going," Del Negro said. "I was trying to be real aggressive and get to the basket. The crowd started to get into it and that kind of picked our defense up."
"We just wanted to limit their shots," Smith said. "We wanted to play aggressive and get the score down to single digits. We knew if we got the score down to single digits we would have a chance and be OK. We stepped up the defense."
Mack said Spurs coach John Lucas gave him some good advice during the third period.
"He told me to relax," Mack said. "He wanted me to do what I do in practice and that's drive to the basket. He didn't want me shooting jump shots."
One Spur who had a huge jumper in the fourth was forward Antoine Carr.
With the score knotted at 95-95, the Big Dawg took a pass from Del Negro and fired in an 18-foot straight-ahead jumper.
"That was a play that Lukie (Lucas) diagrammed in the time out," Carr said. "That's a shot I hit all the time when I was in Sacramento and I guess he knew that.
"That was a of game."
And if you don't believe Carr, just ask Pierce.
Nope, it was a Karl Malone pinata lol
Either some fans or team officials had it at ring side, can't remember which, and he got pissed off took it away from them and smashed it
One of many transgressions by Karl Malone against the San Antonio Spurs nation
Think Pop is a horrible coach?
San Antonio Express-News
Page 1D
still a problem Hornets may not see Spurs' star forward
Tom Orsborn Express-News Staff Writer Spurs coach John
Publication Date : January 16, 1993
Lucas said Friday he does not want Sean Elliott to return to action until the forward is healthy and there is no risk of re-injuring his back.
Back spasms forced Elliott to check into Humana-San Antonio Hospital Friday morning after the team returned from Milwaukee. Spurs trainer John Andersen said Elliott probably would be released Saturday morning.
He is listed questionable for San Antonio's 7:30 p.m. game with the Charlotte Hornets Saturday at the Arena.
Elliott missed the Spurs' 109-93 victory over the Bucks Thursday night, snapping his club record for consecutive games played at 246.
He also missed most of the club's victory over the Timberwolves Tuesday in Minnesota.
Lucas, who conducted a 90-minute practice Friday afternoon at the Arena, said he does not want Elliott to rush his return. The Arizona product is enjoying a banner season, averaging 19.2 points, 5.1 rebounds and 4.3 assists.
"I want a healthy Sean Elliott," Lucas said. "I don't want him back in the hospital in a week. I don't want him teasing us and then getting hurt again.
"In an indirect way, it (Elliott's absence) gives us a chance to let some other guys step up and play. (Forward) David Wood has stepped up, (point guard) Avery Johnson has stepped up and (forward) J.R. Reid has stepped up. We need to find a way to get 20 more points out of our roster."
Andersen said Elliott's hospital stay allows the player to get the required rest and medication to eliminate the back spasms. Elliott was put in traction Friday morning.
"The muscle spasms he is having are painful and it is the pain we are dealing with right now," Andersen said. "That is why he is staying overnight in the hospital. We checked him in last night to put him in the most comfortable environment possible.
"Once he is released, it (his playing status) is a question of comfort with activity."
Andersen said Elliott had experienced discomfort for about a week before the Minnesota game.
"When he landed hard on his legs in the Minnesota game, it (his back) just kind of tightened up and the muscle spasms returned," Andersen said.
Lucas said he will stay with the same starting lineup he used Thursday Johnson at point guard, Vinny Del Negro at off guard, Antoine Carr at power forward, Dale Ellis at small forward and David Robinson at center.
The Spurs (20-13) have won five straight. Their longest streak last season was five games and it was snapped by Charlotte on March 16.
If San Antonio wins Saturday, the winning streak will be the club's best since it won eight straight from Dec. 8-21 in 1990.
Coach Allan Bristow's Hornets are 17-15, including a 9-8 road mark. The team is led by forward Larry Johnson (22.6 points and 10.3 rebounds per game) and rookie center Alonzo Mourning (18.1 points and 9.9 rebounds).
The Spurs, 10-2 under Lucas, hold a 6-5 lead in their all-time series with the Hornets but trail 3-2 in games at home. Charlotte won both games against San Antonio last season.
"They've got our number and we have to play well to beat them," Lucas said. "It's not going to be easy."
"This is the kind of team we need to beat if we are going to win our division," said Ellis, who scored 14 of his game-high 26 points in the fourth period Thursday.
Ellis said the Spurs' hot outside game, coupled with Robinson's always-tough defense inside, has helped give the Spurs a bit of a breather lately.
"When we hit our outside shots like we have been, it makes us even tougher because we aren't as winded," Ellis said. "We are able to go back to work at the other end.
"David is doing a great job. He is doing well defensively and making it tough inside. It (Robinson's defense and the hot outside shooting) is making the whole game easier for us. All we have to do is keep hitting our shots." Spurs Notes:Robinson sat out most of Friday's practice, resting his sore knees. Lucas teased Carr during practice by calling him "puppy dog." The coach cracked up the team when he pointed to Carr and then got on all fours and whimpered like a puppy. Carr is nicknamed Big Dawg. Former Spur Sidney Green paid a visit to the team's downtown office Friday. Green is averaging 3.9 minutes, 0.6 points and 1.3 rebounds in seven games for Charlotte.
Green was traded to the Hornets on Dec. 9 for J.R. Reid and two draft choices. In 17 games for the Spurs, Reid has averaged 27.4 minutes, 10.4 points and 6.5 rebounds.
Oh, those were the days...
Phoenix's Kevin Johnson wreaked his usual havoc, consistently breaking down the Spurs' defense with his drives, dishing off to a teammate for a run down a wide-open lane.
"He's a tough booger," Bass said. "I think we contained him a little tonight (22 points, 11 assists).
Damn. When David Robinson calls someone out you know things weren't right...
Spurs have own plane for rest of season
Glenn Rogers Express-News Staff Writer
Publication Date : January 7, 1992
Up, up and away.
Chalk up an aerial victory for David Robinson and his teammates.
The Spurs have contracted to fly by charter for the remainder of the season.
Spurs owner Red McCombs has agreed to lease an airplane from Viscount Aircraft, a firm that also charters for the Indiana Pacers.
The lease ends, at least for this season, the tussle between Robinson and McCombs over the charter issue.
Robinson had written an open letter to McCombs, published in the local newspapers, criticising the owner for what Robinson called a lack of commitment.
"This will make a big difference," Coach Larry Brown said. "Travel from San Antonio is not typical travel.
"I hope it will have some effect on wins and losses, although obviously it hasn't so far," the coach said with a smile. "But other teams have it and at times some teams have been waiting for us in our own building.
"We all realize that this didn't have to be done so we appreciate it even more. We can leave when we want to and all the players and coaches are together. That leaves good time for talking about basketball."
McCombs emphasized that the decision to charter is not necessarily a permanent one.
"I've made it as clear as I can that this may not be our future program," the owner said. "We'll look at that next season.
"I figured if Robinson and the rest of the players were so concerned about the issue then it had to be given consideration.
"Once the players said what they said then we got the new proposals. We found that the difference in price between charters and regular airfare had been reduced.
"Then I got the feeling that maybe this was just the right thing to do. I'm happy we're doing it in this instance.
"But charter is strictly a question of comfort and convenience. There is no correlation to wins and losses."
The players learned the decision Monday morning.
"I'm happy for the team," said Sidney Green. "It's good to know we're on the same level as some other teams, that they don't have that edge."
"It's sweet. It's a good deal," said Sean Elliott. "I think they are going to paint the plane with some of the team colors so that would be big time."
"The decision shows some outstanding stuff from Red and (Vice President) Bob Bass," Antoine Carr said. "Just say that the Big Dawg appreciates it."
Food for the charter will be arranged locally and the plane will be based in San Antonio.
The Spurs' five-color logo has been painted on the plane and it will arrive Wednesday.
The aircraft has been remodeled for 52 first-class seats. The first three rows have a 60-inch pitch that allows for the extra leg room. The pitch in a first-class seat on a domestic flight is 38 inches.
The Spurs almost traded Will Perdue for this player, but instead the team opted to trade Ike Austin for this player in return. Name the player.
Actually, that particular season was just about the darkest 1 of the Drob era IMO.
I believe that was the season that:
TC wrecked his knee
We had 3 different head coaches
Willie Anderson went from being an upncoming versatile guard to struggling with shin splints
Strickland was allowed to walk
Drob injured his thumb and missed the final few weeks of the season
We got swept in the playoffs for the only time in the Robinson(pre Duncan) era
Rib injury shelves mings Spur out at least 5 games starting tonight
Glenn Rogers Express-News Staff Writer
Publication Date : November 29, 1991
As if the December road schedule wasn't trouble enough.
The Spurs suffered a blow Thursday morning when starting forward Terry mings was placed on the injured list with a fractured rib. mings will miss the next next five games for sure, maybe more.
The team activated Tony Massenburg and he will be ready for duty at 6:30 p.m. Friday when the Spurs face the Hawks at the Omni.
mings suffered the rib injury Wednesday night against the New Jersey Nets when he got between the bucket and a driving Sam Bowie.
Bowie was in the air heading for the basket when his knee slammed into mings' left side. mings was taken to the hospital for X-rays, which revealed the fracture.
"We're just going to have to overcome Terry's injury," Coach Larry Brown said Thursday at San Antonio International Airport.
"He has to miss at least five games but I'm told he could have a lot of discomfort for as long as three weeks. He's obviously a big part of our team and this is going to be a rough time for our team, anyway."
mings has averaged 12 points, eight rebounds and 27.5 minutes in 11 games. He missed 15 games last season due to injuries and the team was 6-9 in those games.
Brown said Antoine Carr would start and Sidney Green would back up both David Robinson and Carr.
Brown had been toying with the idea of starting Carr and bringing mings off the bench. This latest development may push that idea along.
"We've got to get Paul (Pressey) in game shape," Brown said. "We're going to need a solid contribution from him."
Pressey was taken off the injured list Wednesday and played 11 minutes against the Nets.
"It felt great to get back into action," Pressey said. "It will take a few games to get into things, but we've got a lot of games coming up so that will help."
Pressey said the team has to bolster its defense and keep consistent pressure on opponents.
"I've always felt that a team's defense determines its offense," Pressey said. "We just have to be persistent."
Brown agreed.
"We've got to be consistent on defense and we've got to cut down on our turnovers."
"We have great stretches on defense and then we have breakdowns. The breakdowns usually come on our turnovers, when we try to recover or bail somebody out.
"Our turnovers have been coming at silly times, like on our fast breaks. And we miss the two- or three-on-one opportunities.
"Or they come when we try to make a great scoring play. We try to make the great pass after the defense is set. But we can work on all these things."
The Spurs are averaging 17.9 turnovers a game.
The Hawks are 7-7, 4-2 at home this season. They are led by the scoring of Dominique Wilkins (27.8 points) and rebounding of Kevin Willis (leading the league with 17 per game). Willis has pulled down at least 20 rebounds the last five games.
The Hawks were the only team to sweep the Spurs last season, winning 110-108 in San Antonio and 109-98 in overtime in Atlanta.
Doc Rivers settled the issue in San Antonio, ending a game that had 20 ties and 20 lead changes, with a last-second, 18-foot jumper.
Wilkins paced the Hawks in Atlanta, scoring 40 points.
The Hawks have won the last six games here. Spurs Notes: Nagging injuries and ills also are plaguing Jud Buechler and Greg Sutton.
Buechler has a sprained right wrist and thumb. His playing status will be determined Friday morning.
The Spurs are concerned about an infection on Sutton's face. Brown noted traveling on Thanksgiving Day is a bit unique.
"Boy, I'm tired," Brown said with a broad grin. "We had a big meal and then had to leave right away to go home and pack. Driving home I felt tremendously tired and I remembered you're supposed to sleep after the Thanksgiving meal." Robinson has sparked the Spurs the last three games by averaging 25.7 points, 16.7 rebounds and 7.3 blocks.
Sean Elliott has averaged nine rebounds the last six games and 20.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 5 assists the last two games.
"This month is going to be something else," Elliott said. "When we come back from Washington (Dec. 30 game) we're going to have to really get off our feet and get the rest."
The Spurs have three-straight days off after the Washington game and don't hit the road again until Jan. 10.
After 12 road games in December, the team has seven in January. Brown said he didn't expect the team would have a new point guard anytime in December.
"It doesn't look like the (Rod) Strickland matter will be cleared up by then and I don't see anything else happening out there," Brown said. The players had Thursday off and only a small traveling party accompanied the coaches: Robinson, Elliott, Avery Johnson, Massenburg, Pressey, Sutton and Buechler. The Canine Club has been featured on ESPN and will be covered by the NBA's "Inside Stuff."
This one is a toughie...and I'm not 100% certain I am right about this...The Mavs and Bullets might also be able to make this claim, but:
Why are the Spurs maybe the only NBA basketball team that can truly be called "The Worlds Team"?
Tom Garrick was a member of 'The Canine Club'. My guess is his nickname was 'Anonymous Dawg'...
Spurs getting solid effort from Garrick Reserve guard earns
Publication Date : November 12, 1991
SPURS.GARRICK Spurs getting solid effort from Garrick Reserve guard earns his minutes By Tom Orsborn Express-News Staff Writer
It was a request most NBA players would welcome. But not Spurs point guard Tom Garrick.
Toward the later part of Monday's practice, trainer John Andersen asked Garrick to watch the rest of the workout from the sidelines, rather than participate in yet another scrimmage or drill.
Garrick, Andersen explained, has a slight groin strain and a little rest would probably do him some good. Garrick, a 6-foot-2, four-year veteran, finally agreed. But it was definitely something he didn't want to do.
"I don't like to sit out any of practice because I'm a compe ive person," Garrick said. "If I'm not practicing, I'd rather not be in the gym at all because I'd rather be out there (on the floor)."
It's that kind of at ude that has endeared Garrick to his coaches and teammates and helped earn him a place in Antoine Carr's Canine Club, the organization formed for the Spurs' hustling, boisterous reserves.
"Tom's been a real plus," Spurs coach Larry Brown said. "He came in here without a job and earned one. Now he's earning some minutes.
"He gives it all he's got. He was exhausted after the Cleveland game."
Garrick turned in what Spurs vice president Bob Bass said was the Rhode Island native's best game in the Spurs' 107-101 overtime victory over the Cavaliers on Friday.
In 33 minutes, Garrick scored five points, dished out six assists and grabbed six rebounds. One of his assists was a fast-break pass to David Robinson for a slam that gave San Antonio a 105-99 lead and put the sellout Arena crowd in a frenzy.
"I thought that was his best game," Bass said. "He's done a pretty nice job for us. He settles us down pretty well. I really liked him in college (Rhode Island) and Larry's had his eye on him."
Bass said Garrick needs to work on his individual defense.
"His one-on-one defense needs work, but his team defense is outstanding," Bass said. "He really helps and rotates well.
"He's an emotional guy and I like that, too."
Garrick suffered the slight groin strain in practice Sunday. He said he hopes to be available when the Spurs play his former team, the Los Angeles Clippers, Wednesday at the Arena.
"Hopefully, I will be in peak condition come Wednesday," Garrick said.
Brown said he will continue to start Avery Johnson at point guard and use Garrick and rookie Greg Sutton when needed.
"I appreciate my role on this team," Garrick said. "Coach Brown has me switching back and forth from the one (point guard) and two (off guard) spots so I can give Avery and Willie (Anderson) a rest. Really, I just try to contribute and help out anyway I can."
Even during practice.
Spurs Notes: The Spurs are considering acquiring small forward Jud Buechler, a former New Jersey Net who clears waivers Tuesday morning. Buechler, a 6-6, 220-pound second-year player from Arizona, played in 74 games last year, averaging 3.1 points a game.
Spurs executive vice president Russ Bookbinder said the team's marketing staff and Carr have discussed ways to get the fans more involved in the Canine Club.
"We are going to get our creative minds together and try to come up with something," Bookbinder said. "The first step was meeting with Antoine today to see what he would like to do."
Bookbinder said fans can expect to see Canine Club T-shirts on the market soon.
"We are also going to approach Ralston-Purina, which is one of our sponsors, and kick around some ideas with them," he said. "Atlanta has its tomahawks, maybe we can have dog bones."
Spurs president Gary Woods said Rod Strickland and his agent, Mark Termini, have filed a grievance with the league over "a substantial fine" the club levied against Strickland last season. Woods said an NBA appointed-arbitrator will rule on the grievance Dec. 9.
Woods said Strickland's complaint concerns the amount of the fine. He said the player also claims he was not part of the incident that led to the fine. The fine most likely stems from Strickland breaking curfew during the playoff series with Golden State last spring.
Bass said the club will send a tape to the league of the disputed three-point shot by leveland's Craig Ehlo in Friday's game.
"One referee, Bennett Salvatore, said it was for two points and that's what they put on the scoreboard," Bass said. "Then here comes Tommy Nunez and he took the call away from Salvatore.
"The league asks us to send those types of rulings in to them so they can study them."
Because they've drafted players from six continents.
So far the members of 'The Canine Club' that I've been able to determine are...
Antoine Carr
Jud Buechler
Tom Garrick
Sean Higgins
Sidney Green
Tom Copa
Canine Club keys comeback By Tom Orsborn Express-News
Staff
Publication Date : November 9, 1991
SPURS.SIDER Canine Club keys comeback By Tom Orsborn Express-News Staff Writer
Chest bumps, dog barks, hugs and high fives reigned supreme during overtime of the Spurs' 107-101 victory over Cleveland Friday.
Sparked by the antics of reserve power forward Antoine Carr, who sometimes looks like a cross between a pro wrestler and an angry middle linebacker, the Spurs outscored the Cavs, 10-4, in OT to raise their home record to 3-0 and delight another sellout crowd of 16,057.
Almost to a man, the Spurs credited Carr and his Canine Club buddies, forward/center Sidney Green and guard Tom Garrick, for sparking a team that looked flat during a great deal of regulation play.
Carr finished with 12 points, five rebounds and two blocks in 21 minutes. Garrick and Green combined for 11 points in 33 and 15 minutes, respectively.
Garrick had six assists and six rebounds. Green grabbed seven boards and contributed a lot of bumps and barks.
"We were kind of flat and those guys picked us up," forward Sean Elliott said. "Antoine got us all fired up. It's good to see what I call the old guys get carried away like that. Old guys are usually pretty cool, but not the ones on our team. Antoine's played in hundreds of games, but he was playing like a rookie tonight."
"I love this team," Carr said. "It's a strong team and I want to give it my all. I had to get us fired up today because we were solemn after all the bad news about Magic (Johnson)."
Carr said the Spurs fans have impressed him by the way they respond to his actions.
"I knew they had a strong crowd here, but I didn't realize how fired up this place really gets," he said. "It really starts ringing. I like to stand back and watch it shake."
Spurs owner Red McCombs said Carr's introduction of the Canine Club has put some fun into what has otherwise been a sad 48 hours.
"The Canine Club (the team's reserves) is something that is spontaneous," McCombs said before the game. "I woke up today and still had a cloud over me because of what happened Thursday. I read all the stories about Magic and then I read the story about the Canine Club and it was like a ray of sunshine.
"I'm excited by all this. I was in the locker room just a minute ago practicing my barks. I wasn't very good at it."
McCombs said after the game that it's obvious the fans have taken a liking to Carr and the Canine Club.
"It's like the hard-hat guys or the lunch-bucket brigade," McCombs said. "Those are groups known for hard work and not finesse. Fans identify with that."
Center David Robinson also praised Carr and the reserves.
"I'm impressed with the guys coming off the bench," he said. "They've done a phenomenal job. We've got a dog squad.
"Our team sometimes is lacking in emotion, but Antoine Carr does not lack in emotion."
Willie Anderson echoed Robinson's comments.
"Antoine and Sidney and (Sean) Higgins really keep the team in the game," Anderson said. "That's a big difference. The bench is more into it this year."
Ok, sit down before you read this.
Thomas Copa was a member of 'The Canine Club'
What was his 'Canine Club' nickname...?
Well,
Spurs' Canine Club debuts tonight vs.
Cavaliers
Tom Orsborn Express-News Staff Writer
Publication Date : November 8, 1991
Move over Bruise Brothers, here comes the Canine Club.
Although the Bruise Brothers of the early 1980s always will occupy a special place in Spurs lore, the current reserves hope their Canine Club will help San Antonio do something their predecessors were unable to do win a championship.
The boisterous, inspirational Antoine Carr founded the group and charter members include forward/center Sidney Green and guard/ forward Sean Higgins. The trio and the rest of the team will try to put the bite on the Cleveland Cavaliers at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Arena.
"We call ourselves the Canine Club because we don't mind bumping and growling like a bunch of dogs," Carr said of the Spurs' suddenly prominent reserve corps. "I raise Rottweilers and we're just like them. We come into a game biting and scratching and doing whatever we can to help the team."
Carr said Green and Higgins are in the process of buying some of Carr's 15 Rottweilers, who do their biting and scratching on 100 acres of land they share with six other dogs on their owner's property near Atlanta.
Carr, the burly 6-foot-8 forward, said the entire Spurs bench reminds him of his rowdy kennel.
"If you look at our bench during the game, we are totally hyped up," Carr said. "It's like we've got a bunch of dogs in the yard. We're going to come at you. That's from the top of the bench on down to my man, Rin Tin Tin, Tom Copa."
Asked if the Canine Club can help the Spurs win the top prize in the NBA's dog show, Carr said, "We are definitely sniffing for a le. No doubt about it."
Spurs coach Larry Brown, who has his own dog, Jake, a black Labrador retriever, said the leaders of the Canine Club, Carr and Green, have already shown they can help the team a great deal.
"Just having Antoine and Sidney has given us a lot more depth up front," Brown said after Thursday's practice. "We wouldn't have won last night (Wednesday's 119-93 victory over the Trail Blazers) if it wasn't for them. They gave David (Robinson) and Terry ( mings) some rest. Last year, we couldn't afford not to play David and Terry 40 minutes a game or, at least, in the high 30s.
"If those guys (Carr and Green) keep coming, it will be really beneficial, especially toward the end of the year when Terry will need rest."
Brown, like many other observers, has noticed how much happier Green seems this season.
"Our depth has been a real plus," Brown said. "Last year, we didn't have Sidney healthy at all because of his bone spurs and this year we have two quality reserves in him and Antoine at the four and five positions, and that helps us against big strong teams."
Green, who played in several high school all-star games with and against Carr, said it has helped him knowing a player with a style similar to his on the club.
"It was hard to be the type of player and person I was on the court and be alone," Green said. "I know I'm going to have my guy (Carr) with me no matter what happens. He'll be behind me swinging and hitting and doing whatever is needed. That's how it was in New York with me and Charles Oakley and in Orlando with me and Terry Catledge.
"It's nice to have that pillar (Carr) behind me and, at the same time, he knows I'm behind him."
SPURS NOTES: Spurs on the All-Star ballot are Robinson, mings, Sean Elliott and Willie Anderson.
The presence of Robinson obviously was expected, but the center said he appreciates the sign of respect.
"It's still an honor," he said. "I'm pleased I'm getting respect. But it's becoming increasingly clear this year that I need to improve my game."
Robinson said the switch to the passing game exposed some of his shortcomings.
"I'm going to have to adjust to the style of the team, the team is not supposed to adjust to me," he said. "I must get a grasp of the passing game, know where I should be and where the other guys are. I have to learn how to get to the boards."
Anderson said he doesn't plan any flashy moves to attract voters' attention.
"This year I'm trying to get an all-around game going and just concentrate on the team winning," he said. "I think I could score 20 points every night, but I don't want that. My goals are to average out to six rebounds and six assists."
Anderson has 31 assists in four games, 10th best in the league.
"I'm getting the ball to the right people," he said. "When I penetrate, I visualize precisely where everybody is so I can either go through for the layup or pitch it out. I know where David is, or Antoine, or Sean (Elliott). I know where Sean likes to set up and he can knock down that jumper."
Elliott was on the ballot in his rookie season but not last season.
"It's better than not being on it," he said. "At least some people are saying you have the potential to be an All-Star. But right now I'm just playing to win and letting the chips fall where they may."
"My goal is to make it one more time and this wouldn't be a bad year to do it," mings said. "I'm going to get a lot of quality minutes this season (because of acquisition of Carr) and I'll be able to produce."Yes,
RIN TIN TIN
Because they've drafted players from six continents.
Excellent but I wasn't thinking draft, I was thinking that we had had players from all 6 inhabitated continents...in our teams history...
The two Aussies, Bateer get Asia, Manu covers South America, Sato(and maybe others) covers Africa...Parker and many others cover Europe...
Technically I guess we could claim Anatarctica as well since Argentina is currently directly tied into Antarctica more than any other country..
I'm not sure if the Mavs or Bullets have had any Africans(from Africa) on their teams..if they have...they can make the claim also I think.
But those would be the only ones...Right now, if you consider NZ and Australia as one reigion...Oceania..I think we 've got the 6 continental regions covered.
Spurs refuse to pay Rod Strickland, yet give Vinny Del Negro eleven million dollars back in 1992. Lest we forget that Red turned down a deal that would have had David Robinson, Charles Barkley, and Sean Elliott as teammates back in 1992. Red did keep the team in San Antonio, but he makes HOLT CAT seem like a spendthrift.
Year in Review Sports in San Antonio Going
Publication Date : December 27, 1992
STORY.ONE 1992 Year in Review Sports in San Antonio Going to extremes in San Antonio Sports fans get taste of it all in Alamo City By Terrence Thomas Express-News Staff Writer
San Antonio sports fans saw a bit of everything in 1992.
From the hirings and firings, to the folding of a league, to a world champion boxer, to a multimillionaire NBA rookie and to a schoolboy football le, the Alamo City ran the gamut in the sports world.
And what better place to start than the ever-changing Spurs.
After capturing two consecutive Midwest Division les, the team started the 1991-92 campaign in quite mediocre fashion. And on Jan. 21, with a 21-17 record, Owner Red McCombs fired Coach Larry Brown. Vice President Bob Bass took over on an interim basis.
Bass' team started strong until injuries All-Star center David Robinson was shelved in March with a torn ligament in his shooting hand that required surgery and guard Willie Anderson had surgery in both legs to repair stress frac tures sent the Spurs from con tenders to pretenders.
San Antonio stumbled late in the season and were swept by Phoenix in the first round of the playoffs.
In the meantime, McCombs made a surprising move in April by hiring Jerry Tarkanian, the successful yet controversial college coach from UNLV, as the new Spurs coach.
With optimism in the air, Tarkanian began work for the '92-93 season. But that optimism soon changed. Starting forward Terry mings injured his right knee in a pickup game in July and surgery on the anterior cruciate ligament was required in August. He was expected to miss most, if not all, of Tark's first season.
If this wasn't enough, the Spurs failed to sign starting point guard Rod Strickland. The Western Conference champion Portland Trail Blazers promptly signed Strickland.
Tarkanian was able to convince the Spurs front office to take a chance on New York City playground legend Lloyd Daniels. And the team lured Vinny Del Negro from Italy to take Strickland's place at point.
But by the start of the season, things still weren't going Tark's way. He pleaded with McCombs for a championship-caliber point guard but never got his way.
And with the team 9-11, McCombs had had his fill of Tark and sent him packing on Dec. 18. Later that evening, in one of the more surprising stories across the nation, McCombs hired former Spurs guard John Lucas to take over.
As for Robinson, 1992 brought him gold and a bundle of money to offset his hand injury. Robinson helped the U.S. Dream Team race through the compe ion for the Olympic gold medal in Barcelona, Spain. He then started the season with a fatter contract that made him the highest-paid player in the league.
Not far behind in the salary department was rookie Shaquille O'Neal, soon to be Robinson's stiffest compe ion in the NBA.
In April, the former Cole High School standout announced at a news conference held at Fort Sam Houston's Youth Center that he would forgo his senior season at LSU to enter the NBA draft.
O'Neal, a 7-foot-1, 300-pound two-time All-America at LSU, was the No. 1 selection by Orlando in the June draft and signed with the Magic for $40 million over seven years.
Last edited by SPARKY; 12-03-2004 at 04:49 AM.
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