How do you feel about Barry's comments?

[pache100]

Eh, I could care less if they win 80 games or 40, as long as they're there at the end playing for the le.

16 wins in May/June = all that matters.

[Amuseddaysleeper]

i dont agree with this "spurs fans are spoiled" bull . it makes me less of a fan because I'm not hunky dory after a loss or because I think this team is fully capable of winning a championship after having a good shot at setting the franchise record for most wins in a season? No way, wether we lose in the first round or lose on a buzzer beater in game 7 I'll still be here next season no matter. I have been a huge fan since 97 when i had to get up at 3 am when i was living in saudi arabia just to watch a rare spurs game live on our ESPN feed because of the time zone difference. Obviously after our first championship my expectations did get raised, but that doesn't mean just because i get pissed when they lose that I'm "spoiled" or am a bandwagon fan. that's ridiculous. I have my work schedule based around the spurs games cuz i get too nervous when a game is on tv and I'm not able to watch it! I LOVE this team, always will, all I'm saying is that we should be able to win a championship. Having said that, Detroit just might be the better team this year and that's something I can fully accept. Heck, if the series between detroit and SA started today we'd probably lose in five easily so I'm not even expecting that much in the finals, not to say that we dont have a chance because we're a great team, but Detroit is still in my mind on another level that the Spurs are still trying to reach. So just because some of us (myself, boutons, AHF) flip out after a loss doesn't make us any less of a fan than Zocool who is always upbeat no matter what in regards to the spurs

[wildbill2u]

Put Ben Wallace or Rasheed on the floor with plantar faciatis(sp?) and Billups or Hamilton out for as many games as Manu at the same time and then guess what the Pistons record would be. I don't think it would be as good as the Spurs because of our depth on the bench.

It's been a tough year injury-wise for the Spurs, but look at some other teams like the Rockets with McGrady out a lot and now Yao with a broken foot.

The Pistons have really been fortunate for two years not to have any major injuries to their starters.

[Sasha]

I think Barry is right on.

I disagree with the idea that the season is a huge disappointment if they don't win the championship. I will be disappointed if they don't win. Of course I want them to win. But only 1 team of 30 wins. If they play hard and get outplayed, it happens. We've got a few more years with the core.

I don't base my Spurs experience around one thing only. I used to - those 3 Laker championships? I used to get really angry. I screamed at the TV, I cursed them, and I walked around in a funk after they lost. Used to piss me off - we'd won a championship! What the was the problem? Where the was my team?

And then I realized that it was a waste of time and energy, and I spent a lot of time being angry at something that was supposed to be entertaining and fun. So I appreciated the 2003 championship a lot more. I was sick and disappointed in 2004, but not the angry, disgusted person I was before that. I was able to enjoy a lot about 2004. And last year was just an incredible ride all the way through.

I've enjoyed this season so much. I hope 'we' win. But I won't slit my wrists if 'we' don't. Doesn't anyone remember what it used to be like to get to 50 wins, and how incredible it was? Doesn't anyone remember what it felt like to be pushed out of the playoffs year after year and only be regular season winners? Appreciate what we've got, you know? Lots of fans don't enjoy what we do here.

I just really dislike the sense of en lement a lot of Spurs fans feel. I avoid this board after a loss, simply because the anger is so unbearable. I'm not saying they never make me angry (that Dallas loss had me fuming), but it happens even after wins. People seem to feel that the team owes them something, and that they should dictate how the Spurs win - like if we don't sweep every team with a huge blowout then the Spurs aren't good enough. What about what we owe the team for such an incredible run and ride (like, maybe, less negativity and more loyalty)?

Anyhow, that is what I think about the whole thing, for the little it's worth.

Beautifully written - and it's worth a lot! Thanks for taking the time to write it.

[thispego]

i dont agree with this "spurs fans are spoiled" bull . it makes me less of a fan because I'm not hunky dory after a loss or because I think this team is fully capable of winning a championship after having a good shot at setting the franchise record for most wins in a season? No way, wether we lose in the first round or lose on a buzzer beater in game 7 I'll still be here next season no matter. I have been a huge fan since 97 when i had to get up at 3 am when i was living in saudi arabia just to watch a rare spurs game live on our ESPN feed because of the time zone difference. Obviously after our first championship my expectations did get raised, but that doesn't mean just because i get pissed when they lose that I'm "spoiled" or am a bandwagon fan. that's ridiculous. I have my work schedule based around the spurs games cuz i get too nervous when a game is on tv and I'm not able to watch it! I LOVE this team, always will, all I'm saying is that we should be able to win a championship. Having said that, Detroit just might be the better team this year and that's something I can fully accept. Heck, if the series between detroit and SA started today we'd probably lose in five easily so I'm not even expecting that much in the finals, not to say that we dont have a chance because we're a great team, but Detroit is still in my mind on another level that the Spurs are still trying to reach. So just because some of us (myself, boutons, AHF) flip out after a loss doesn't make us any less of a fan than Zocool who is always upbeat no matter what in regards to the spurs

you just made zocools day

[sprrs]

Good point. But when did not winning a le = "Huge Dissapointment." That's spoiled AND it's whiny.

As a fan, yes it's a stupid way to think and it is spoiled. But as for a team, a contending team, anything less than a championship is a dissapointment. They should enjoy the ride and all that, but they do not get paid to say, oh well we didn't win the championship but it was a great ride so we're satisfied. They get paid to not be satisfied with falling short, to work harder to reach the ultimate goal.

[easjer]

But we're mostly discussing the fan perspective aren't we?

I've gotta say that I don't totally understand this whole idea that the post season is the real thing. It sort of seems like a bonus to me. I mean, I get that it is the ultimate goal, and that the championship is what you strive for, but if that's all the season's worth, why bother playing a regular season (and a long one, at that)? Why not just have a big round robin tournament each year?

The season must have some merit by and of itself, or the whole thing is pretty pointless. And again, only 1 team wins. So do you think that the other 29 teams should be completely disappointed with what they acheive simply because they didn't win?

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

. It sort of seems like a bonus to me.

We've got Tim Duncan in his prime flanked by Manu and Tony, and you think the playoffs are a bonus?

I mean, I get that it is the ultimate goal, and that the championship is what you strive for, but if that's all the season's worth, why bother playing a regular season (and a long one, at that)? Why not just have a big round robin tournament each year?

I dunno, probably because

1) you have to figure out how to seed people for the playoffs

2) the league makes a load of money off the regular season

3) so you have something to do for six months out of the year besides about when the next game is

So do you think that the other 29 teams should be completely disappointed with what they acheive simply because they didn't win?

Pretty much, except for the rare occassions where the players on the team all care more about their endorsement contracts and bonuses than winning.

[td4mvp21]

Well, I feel his comments are premature after tonights game. Pathetic.

[ManuTim_best of Fwiendz]

I think Barry was feeling a LITTLE TOO SELF-SATISFIED...maybe it rubbed off on the entire bench, save Manu.