Are the Spurs the most hated team in the country?

[Obstructed_View]

First off. I've been through this before.

I'm not the first person to notice what an ignoramus you are? What a ing surprise.

Don't be the guy that resorts to, well you signed up for a Spurs board.

I didn't. I said that I'm surprised that you bothered to sign up for a Spurs board when you clearly know so little about the team that you offer up the same BS that everyone else that doesn't watch the Spurs talks about.

I've watched them play thousands of games by the way.

"very few athletic highlight"
"crying about fouls all the time"
"en led at ude of the team"
Yeah, thousands of games on ESPN maybe.

Y'know what. you man. I took the time to come up with a reasonable and I thought inoffensive post that answered the original question in the thread. If you don't like it fine. Tell me what you disagree about, but don't resort to calling me ignorant of them and bashing me for signing up for this board. You're a ing asshole.

Couldn't find the crying smiley.

[balli]

Screw that, I'd rather have the nation actively rooting against us. I like the idea of Spurs haters having to watch something else in June because they can't stand to watch the Spurs in the Finals. What do I care about ratings? And do you know how awesome it was to see Dan Patrick have to be on the podium with the Spurs after he had thrown such a temper tantrum with David Stern on his show over the Suns suspensions? I loved it.

For the most part, I think the Spurs are very respected. As long as that's the case, I don't care who likes them.

And that's really the point. You are respected. Likability should be the least of your concerns. I hate your team, but damn I do respect the out of them. If anything, like you said, unlikability should be a motivating factor so you can keep shoving your product down me and everyone elses throats. I'd love it if my team could do that.

[trueD]

It's hard to imagine WHY the Spurs would be the most hated team unless one is viewing the ballclub purely from the standpoint of jealousy. Which is why the Jazz fan's thoughts should be considered the "low" that you cross out. My thoughts are likely the "high"--just a warning.

Spurs are consistant and very nearly always rise to the occassion post-season. That is what a solid team is supposed to do. Forget that Duncan plays boring technical b-ball, he gets the job done. And now players around him have risen to the point that Duncan can take some plays off. From a practical standpoint, that is a good thing.

Dependability, durability and cohesion are key if a team wants to win more than one championship (with most of the same players). Spurs fit that bill. Dependability may seem boring on it's face, but it gets the job done!

I heard that Bowen went scoreless during the first two games. How often can a starter go scoreless for the first two games post-season and continue to receive respect and awe from other teams? You don't even notice that Bowen doesn't score because he's so very valuable at the other end.

Spurs fans are knowledgable and classy, for the most part. Tim and Kori have expanded this forum for b-ball lovers of ALL teams, which says a lot for their sportsmanship. And they emulate the Spurs fan, I believe.

The small-market Spurs ARE likeable and, although I root against at times, they are the most deserving champs I've seen in my short existance as a b-ball fanatic.

[SpursIndonesia]

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?

Blah, blah, blah, the Spurs game is not black & gangsta enough for the masses, i get it.

[balli]

I'm not the first person to notice what an ignoramus you are? What a ing surprise.


I didn't. I said that I'm surprised that you bothered to sign up for a Spurs board when you clearly know so little about the team that you offer up the same BS that everyone else that doesn't watch the Spurs talks about.



"very few athletic highlight"
"crying about fouls all the time"
"en led at ude of the team"
Yeah, thousands of games on ESPN maybe.



Couldn't find the crying smiley.

. Don't be a . If you want to engage in the reasoned debate that's going on, fine. If you just want to rag on me with absolutely no idea who or what you're talking about, do it in a PM.

[PlayoffEx-static]

And I'd be okay with that. Like I said, I understand why. We're a hard-nosed team from a small, rural market, with an ugly court and (in some cases) very unlikable players. Is there a Spurs fan willing to say the same about their team?

Add to that that we constantly up the league and media projections and wishes by winning, and I'm down with that.

It used to disturb me, but now I revel in it. 'em. I enjoyed watching the talking heads squirm when we made yet another Finals last year. They basically had to introduce the team to the casual fan, since they had spent the previous three rounds of the playoffs trashing us nationally.

[carina_gino20]

And I'd be okay with that. Like I said, I understand why. We're a hard-nosed team from a small, rural market, with an ugly court and (in some cases) very unlikable players. Is there a Spurs fan willing to say the same about their team?

It sucks to be you then, to root for a team you think is unlikable. I don't think you will find a Spurs fan willing to say that we have an unlikable team, because I think all of us genuinely like them. They're not the most marketable guys and the national media does enough to make viewers not like the Spurs, so I would think that those who call themselves Spurs fans, really see that there is something special in these guys. And it's not just because of loyalty to the city, because a lot of us here in this board are not from San Antonio, or even from the US.

[balli]

It's hard to imagine WHY the Spurs would be the most hated team unless one is viewing the ballclub purely from the standpoint of jealousy. Which is why the Jazz fan's thoughts should be considered the "low" that you cross out. My thoughts are likely the "high"--just a warning.

Spurs are consistant and very nearly always rise to the occassion post-season. That is what a solid team is supposed to do. Forget that Duncan plays boring technical b-ball, he gets the job done. And now players around him have risen to the point that Duncan can take some plays off. From a practical standpoint, that is a good thing.

Dependability, durability and cohesion are key if a team wants to win more than one championship (with most of the same players). Spurs fit that bill. Dependability may seem boring on it's face, but it gets the job done!

I heard that Bowen went scoreless during the first two games. How often can a starter go scoreless for the first two games post-season and continue to receive respect and awe from other teams? You don't even notice that Bowen doesn't score because he's so very valuable at the other end.

Spurs fans are knowledgable and classy, for the most part. Tim and Kori have expanded this forum for b-ball lovers of ALL teams, which says a lot for their sportsmanship. And they emulate the Spurs fan, I believe.

The small-market Spurs ARE likeable and, although I root against at times, they are the most deserving champs I've seen in my short existance as a b-ball fanatic.

Your blending likability with technicality and dependibility. Frankly, being a highly technical and dependable team is a great thing for you guys and I'd imagine to a lot of people that leads to liking them. If they were my team I'd not only like them for it, I'd love them for it. Like I said, it certainly is respectable anyway. However, you can't really blame me for wanting to see maybe a less dependable, less technical but more exciting, more risk-taking team instead. I mean, I'm sorry I like to watch alley-oops and guys like Kobe make their hands into guns and blow away the smoke. I'm sorry I like to see KG and Cassell beat the out of Rondo because they're so excited he scored. I'm sorry I like loud crowds in big, traditional NBA markets. If I could pattern the Jazz after anyone, it would be the Spurs, just like you were patterned after our 90's teams, but when it comes to teams out of market, I'm sorry, but all that other appeals to me.

[BiZNicK]

I don't think lottery team fans hate us...

Just playoff contender fans...because they know if the Spurs are still in it, they're chances at a ring drop 75%

[balli]

It sucks to be you then, to root for a team you think is unlikable. I don't think you will find a Spurs fan willing to say that we have an unlikable team, because I think all of us genuinely like them. They're not the most marketable guys and the national media does enough to make viewers not like the Spurs, so I would think that those who call themselves Spurs fans, really see that there is something special in these guys. And it's not just because of loyalty to the city, because a lot of us here in this board are not from San Antonio, or even from the US.

I don't dislike the Jazz, but I understand why other people would. Likewise, I'm not asking for a Spurs fan to say that they don't like the team they root for. I'm asking for Spurs fans to understand why OTHER people don't like them.

[Obstructed_View]

. Don't be a . If you want to engage in the reasoned debate that's going on, fine. If you just want to rag on me with absolutely no idea who or what you're talking about, do it in a PM.

Only someone as stupid as you would think that "Texas as a whole, is not very likable" somehow amounts to "reasoned debate". If you're too much of a ing pussy to take criticism that you so clearly deserve, then you shouldn't be hanging around on a message board.

I'm really glad that you blindly hate the Spurs, but don't act like there's a basketball reason for it. I might respect you if you were man enough to say "I'm a Jazz fan and I hate the Spurs no matter what they do". Alas you aren't.

[CubanMustGo]

Spurs are the most ignored 'ship team in the country. Ignorance != hate.

[Strike]

People are hypocrites and completely full of . People about wanting "role models" for their kids, classy, selfless players that win the right way, no egos, no thugs, no criminals, no drug abusers, no rapists, the list goes on and on.

Enter the Spurs.

1 through 12 (Damon Stoudamire excluded based on past transgressions), a team that is selfless, puts team first, wins championships, gives back to their communities, niether has nor entertains the idea of employing criminals and/or thugs (once again, Damon Stoudamire excluded even though it seems his bad days are behind him).

The team that fans have been clamoring for exists. And people nitpick and whine about flopping, supposed "dirty" play, whining, etc. You're all hypocrites. Every single last god damn one of you.

What is not to like about Tim Duncan? He's a laid back, fun loving guy who inspires those around him and makes his teammates better. How many players take less money and employ the notion of team loyalty? Ask his teammates what kind of person he is. Nary a negative thing to say about him.

What is everyone's problem with Tony Parker? Is it that he's married to a celebrity? Is it that he's French? What is it? I don't understand it. He's not an egomaniac, he's not a criminal or a blowhard, he's not any of the things that people about when it comes to the typical asshole athlete. He plays hard, respects his teammates and opponents, and is possibly the best point guard, pound for pound, in the league.

Ok, I understand people's disdain for Manu Ginobili. He's a flopper. I, as a die-hard Spurs fan admit it. He's also a balls-out player who isn't afraid to put his body on the line. People respect that about Allen Iverson but turn a blind eye to the cornrows, tattoos, and the scrapes with the law.

Bruce Bowen. Just the name brings some people's blood to a boil. Every day it's "Bruce is dirty! Bruce is dirty!" You know who was dirty? Bill Laimbeer. How many people recognize that name? Not only was he a dirty player, he reveled in it. He didn't try to hide the fact that he was a complete asshole on the court. Many of the things that Bruce Bowen does can be construed as dirty. But guess what? When you specialize in playing hard, physical defense, happens. The occaisional player sprains an ankle or gets kicked in the grill or junk. I'm not defending it. I'm just saying that happens. Many of the best defenders in the history of the game have been called dirty. But how many people out there hear about his work ethic? Or his devotion to his family? Or the volunteer work he does? How many times has he thrown a punch or clotheslined another player?

People can say whatever they want. I think it all boils down to envy and/or jealousy. Other fans want what us Spurs fans have. We have a team that not only plays its guts out, but also wins consistently AND remembers that without fans, a team can't flourish.

I couldn't care less about what most people say about my team, about my beloved Spurs. I've been proud to be a Spurs fan since 1987, through the 20 win seasons and championship celebrations. From the Admiral to the Big Fundamental. From the Hemisfair Arena to the AT&T Center.

And no, the Spurs are NOT the most hated team in the country. Definitely not the most revered, but not the most hated, either.

[balli]

Only someone as stupid as you would think that "Texas as a whole, is not very likable" somehow amounts to "reasoned debate". If you're too much of a ing pussy to take criticism that you so clearly deserve, then you shouldn't be hanging around on a message board.

I'm really glad that you blindly hate the Spurs, but don't act like there's a basketball reason for it. I might respect you if you were man enough to say "I'm a Jazz fan and I hate the Spurs no matter what they do". Alas you aren't.

off. You ing . Quit taking my (8 words out of hundreds) out of context while bashing me for it and anything alse you can think of. I've said a lot of good things about the Spurs in this thread. And I've said a lot about the way they play the game of basketball. I've said a lot about my level of respect for the way they play. If you didn't like my answer then you shouldn't have opened a thread about whether or not people hate the spurs. Everyone else in this thread has managed to stay chill and reasonable about it except for your dumb ass. Just shut your ing mouth already you ing sucker.

[gospursgojas]

Simple answer is:

Those who know basketball don't hate the Spurs. They might root against them but know that there is nothing to hate.

Those who don't know basketball, hate the Spurs and resort to coming up with silly reasons to do so.

[mowgli]

If they aren't already, the Patriots should be the most hated team in America.

As for the Spurs, I don't think they're hated, but they have unfortunately been stereotyped as boring by the mediots. So, anytime anyone brings up the Spurs, there is almost a reflexive groaning by the masses.

The Spurs are NOT boring. We have three superstars that play their hearts out up-and-down the court and can play any type of basketball with any team. They make tough shots with great style. Like I said, it's unfortunate that we're stereotyped as plodders. As Spurs fans, we need to stop complaining about other fans complaining about our team. We're awesome, and it's sad that too many others are brainwashed into not looking past the ESPN label.

[balli]

People can say whatever they want. I think it all boils down to envy and/or jealousy. Other fans want what us Spurs fans have. We have a team that not only plays its guts out, but also wins consistently AND remembers that without fans, a team can't flourish.

Why didn't people hate the Jordan Bulls then? I didn't and I root for Utah for christsakes. The only way in which we're jealous is this: We didn't like you to begin with and the fact you win rings makes it that much worse. Your success extrapolates the hatred for you, no question, but damned if it's the root reason or cause for it.

[balli]

If they aren't already, the Patriots should be the most hated team in America.

As for the Spurs, I don't think they're hated, but they have unfortunately been stereotyped as boring by the mediots. So, anytime anyone brings up the Spurs, there is almost a reflexive groaning by the masses.

The Spurs are NOT boring. We have three superstars that play their hearts out up-and-down the court and can play any type of basketball with any team. They make tough shots with great style. Like I said, it's unfortunate that we're stereotyped as plodders. As Spurs fans, we need to stop complaining about other fans complaining about our team. We're awesome, and it's sad that too many others are brainwashed into not looking past the ESPN label.

I don't think you're plodders. I think you're unathletic and emotionless.

[Capt Bringdown]

In the US at least, I don't think many people outside of Bexar county want to see them win again.

[HarlemHeat37]

like mowgli said, the Patriots are easily #1 in sports..they win and they got caught cheating..

hating the Spurs is simple..

we live in an era of flash..this is what happened post-Jordan..to be respected by the casual fan, you have to dunk entertain..now all of us do find the Spurs entertaining, but the problem with our team is that WE WIN..Tim Duncan is the most "boring" star ever, but nobody had a problem with him when the Lakers were winning..Duncan started gaining the haters in 2003 and has been ever since..the problem is that he plays the game the correct way, he wins AND he plays for a small-market team..if Tim played for the Lakers, he'd be the most loved player in the world..

Ginobili and Parker are surely entertaining..but they play for the Spurs..and since we win and the team is from a small market, EVERYTHING is magnified..Manu and Parker "flop" around and get hated on it more then anybody else(especially Manu), DESPITE every team in the NBA having multiple floppers, and there are a good amount that flop more than Manu IMO..but he plays for the Spurs, so it's magnified..

Bruce Bowen..more than half of his "dirty" plays wouldn't have been anything if he played for another team, but since he does, everything is magnified..everything he does is considered dirty..

they hate on us for doing the "hack-a-Shaq", despite many teams doing it over the years..

it's simple..WINNING creates haters, especially with our fundamentally sound basketball and small market..let them hate..

[Strike]

Why didn't people hate the Jordan Bulls then? I didn't and I root for Utah for christsakes. The only way in which we're jealous is this: We didn't like you to begin with and the fact you win rings makes it that much worse. Your success extrapolates the hatred for you, no question, but damned if it's the root reason or cause for it.

One thing I forgot to mention in my long, boring diatribe:

The Spurs aren't a flashy, chest thumping, "look at me!!!" team. People are basically fickle and like to look at the pretty lights. The Spurs don't have pretty lights. I'll admit that the Spurs aren't every person's brand of vodka and I don't expect the county to love them. But to hate them because they're not the belle of the ball? And to hate them more because they win? Sorry, but to me that sounds re ed and closed minded.

You know what? I take that sorry back. I'm not sorry for calling the average, simple minded sports fan re ed.

And by the way, it's hard to take anything you say seriously when you try to debate, then call people " " or " ing asshole".

And another "by the way", people DID hate the 90's bulls. Maybe not as many, but there were PLENTY of people who hated Jordan and the Bulls. Jordan was easier to market because he appealed to the fickle fan who stares at the pretty lights and says "ooooh, ahhhhh". Being a Spurs fan requires more thought than other teams. And in this day and age, people don't want to think. They want to be mesmerized.

[ShoogarBear]

People's hate for the Spurs is inversely proportional to their understanding of the game.

[Beast]

Do you know what you call the most hated team in the country? NBA Champions!

x4!!!!!!!

[manubili]

I don't dislike the Jazz, but I understand why other people would. Likewise, I'm not asking for a Spurs fan to say that they don't like the team they root for. I'm asking for Spurs fans to understand why OTHER people don't like them.

Great posts, ballijuana. A lot of people surely hate the spurs for the same reasons as you. But I think there are other reasons to choose from: too many international players, too many rings, etc.

Also, many people is blinded by their hate or dislike, and wont give the spurs the props they deserve. It may annoy me once in a while, but then i remember And smile.

[Jimcs50]

The Spurs are not even the most hated team in Phoenix right now.



The Suns are.