Foxsports writer disses Spurs

[MadDog73]

I suggest everyone who wants to comment actually read the article instead of just skimming it.

If, after careful reading, you still really think he hates the Spurs, I'd like to know why you think that.

[pache100]

I suggest everyone who wants to comment actually read the article instead of just skimming it.

If, after careful reading, you still really think he hates the Spurs, I'd like to know why you think that.

I did read it, thanks. I suggest that everyone who thinks someone doesn't get it because they disagree with you get over yourself. That doesn't mean I didn't read an article; it doesn't mean I'm stupid. It just mean I disagree. What about that don't you get?

[MadDog73]

I did read it, thanks. I suggest that everyone who thinks someone doesn't get it because they disagree with you get over yourself. That doesn't mean I didn't read an article; it doesn't mean I'm stupid. It just mean I disagree. What about that don't you get?

That's fine, but I'm just curious, why do you disagree? I don't see any evidence in the article this guy is serious...

[angel_luv]

I read the article and felt that the thread le was misleading.

I found the article complimentary of our team.

Sorry if someone already posted this, I didn't see it in the list


http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/5632492

Why I won't miss the Spurs
Elliott Kalb / Special to FOXSports.com

The San Antonio Spurs, the dullest team in professional sports, has mercifully been eliminated before the Conference finals.

It's not that I don't like the Spurs. I do. It's not that I don't appreciate the Spurs place in history as one of the top team of all time. I do. The fact is, however, that I'm tired of them. They weren't exciting to watch and fun to read about when they were fresh and new to the scene.

I'm glad the most boring coach and boring owner and boring fans and the most boring superstar got bounced. Everyone else in the NBA gets it. The Phoenix Suns advanced to the Conference finals, in large part because they signed malcontent Tim Thomas, who made it clear with his lackadaisical play in Chicago that he wanted out. The Dallas Mavericks advanced to the Conference finals, nearly blowing a golden opportunity when Jason Terry was suspended for throwing a punch at the Spurs Michael Finley in the closing seconds of Game 5 of their playoff series. Now, that's exciting! It's unlikely the suspension ruffled Dallas owner Mark Cuban. The NBA fined Mavericks owner Mark Cuban $200,000 for going onto the court after Game 1 of Dallas' series against the Spurs and criticizing league officials on his blog. Following a Game 6 loss, Cuban apparently cursed Spurs' forward Bruce Bowen.

The San Antonio chairman and CEO is someone named Peter Holt. Could you pick him out of a lineup? Where's his "Trump-like" reality show? How come he doesn't curse players, rip the referees, and take on the commissioner? The San Antonio head coach is Gregg Popovich. He's no Zen-Master. He was never considered for leading man roles in Hollywood, like Miami head coach Pat Riley.

There isn't a knucklehead in the Spurs organization. When Phil Jackson made sarcastic remarks belittling the Spurs' first championship in 1999, Popovich didn't publicly retaliate. San Antonio assistant coach P.J. Carlesimo has had many forums to denounce Latrell Sprewell, who physically attacked Carlesimo late in 1997, when both were with the Warriors. Instead, P.J. has only taken the high road. Which seems to be the only road in and out of San Antonio.

After the crushing defeat that eliminated his team, San Antonio coach Popovich said that the Mavericks deserved to go on. "They obviously deserve to move on. It's a disappointing loss for us. It's impressive what Dallas has done. I wish them the best." Where was the finger-pointing? Where was the frustration and outrage at the media?

Let's move this Spurs team, and put them in New York. New York fans and media would have plenty to say about the end to the Spurs' season. First, Manu Ginobili made a crucial foul on Dirk Nowitzki, allowing a late three-point play that forced overtime. Second, superstar Tim Duncan let someone named DeSagana Diop have the better of him in overtime. Third, Popovich relied so heavily on the starters that they had nothing left in the extra session. Fourth, the calling card of the Spurs — their defense — let them down. Tony Parker said he couldn't remember the Spurs having a worse half of defense than they had in the first half of Game 7. The San Antonio bench players combined to hit one basket in six attempts. Did Robert Horry have one more big shot left in him? We'll never know. Is Spurs center Rasho Nesterovic living in a different city, in the witness protection program? Rasho, after starting 121 games for Popovich the last two seasons, didn't get off the bench in five of the seven games against the Mavericks. In the 12 minutes that he did play in the series, he did not dare attempt a shot. Will anyone in the Spurs' organization second-guess Popovich's decision to play small lineups against the Mavs?


Tim Duncan is a great player. But the Western Conference finals will be a whole lot more interesting without him. (Ronald Martinez / Getty Images)

Avery Johnson, who is a young, head coach that played for Popovich, is exciting. He's exciting to listen to. He's exciting to watch. He hit a game-winning shot to win the 1999 NBA Finals. As a head coach, he wasn't afraid to use his bench. He wasn't afraid to change his lineup. He has made Dirk Nowitzki play closer to the basket, eliminating many of his 3-point attempts from years past.

The NBA Finals has never been won by the Mavericks or the Suns or the Heat.

The Finals have had either the Spurs or Lakers representing the Western Conference for seven straight years. The Lakers always had their share of gossip and turmoil and tumult. The Spurs were just boring. There's only so much I can read about the power forward's free throw shooting or the point guard's girlfriend.

There is excitement all around in the Western Conference finals. It is a Suns player, Shawn Marion, who has the nickname "The Matrix." It is the Suns who are trying to advance to the finals without their superstar Amare Stoudemire. Will MVP Steve Nash outshine his former teammate Nowtizki? Will Avery Johnson continue to get mileage out of guard Devin Harris? Will Harris be too quick for Nash?

And finally, which Suns player will be cursed out by Dallas owner Cuban? The Spurs may be every bit as good as the Pistons, Heat, Suns, and Mavs. They are not as exciting. They are duller. They are the I-Dulls of America. Don't expect to hear too much out of San Antonio until next year's playoffs.

[spurschick]

It seemed to me that the article was laced with sarcasm. Everything he said he didn't like about the Spurs was followed with some type of behavior from another team, owner, etc. that many would find unappealing.

[pache100]

That's fine, but I'm just curious, why do you disagree? I don't see any evidence in the article this guy is serious...

I didn't see any evidence that he wasn't serious. As I stated earlier (and I will not repeat after this), I DID NOT THINK IT WAS FUNNY; IF IT WAS AN ATTEMPT AT SATIRE, IMO, IT FAILED. Those are my reasons. Take or leave.

[angel_luv]

All I can say is that I read the article expecting to be ticked off but I wasn't at all.

[degenerate_gambler]

It seemed to me that the article was laced with sarcasm. Everything he said he didn't like about the Spurs was followed with some type of behavior from another team, owner, etc. that many would find unappealing.

I read it the same way. How dare these Spurs be a model franchise of class, team first at ude and winning with dignity.

[DarrinS]

The guy who wrote that article must have had a bad case of "writer's block". Hasn't this already been said about the Spurs a million times? Get an original idea -- PLEASE!

If you ask me, that article is boring.


NEXT

[Oh, Gee!!]

The guy who wrote that article must have had a bad case of "writer's block". Hasn't this already been said about the Spurs a million times? Get an original idea -- PLEASE!

If you ask me, that article is boring.


NEXT

yeah, I think that was the writer's point as well.

[Clutch20]

I am so glad, Elliot Kalb, that your article was so "tongue in cheek"...........by the way, I'm glad that modern medicine finally found a good use for recycled condoms, looking at your face and all I really can't tell where the reconstructed part ends and the real part of you begins, but at least now I do understand the source of your vitrol.

[MadDog73]

I am so glad, Elliot Kalb, that your article was so "tongue in cheek"...........by the way, I'm glad that modern medicine finally found a good use for recycled condoms, looking at your face and all I really can't tell where the reconstructed part ends and the real part of you begins, but at least now I do understand the source of your vitrol.

And people criticize the article's humor?!?

[FromWayDowntown]

I'd hate to see how this board would resopnd if Johnathan Swift had ever written anything about the Spurs. You'd think he was advocating for the selling of babies for food with the way that some are responding to this piece!!

Elliott Kalb is no Johnathan Swift -- his effort at satire is clumsy at best -- but anyone who thinks he's seriously lambastnig the Spurs should re-read that last sentence of his column.

[ObiwanGinobili]

Mmmmmm, thanks for using the coffee smilie Obi. I think I'll go get me a cup.

I aim to please.

[Oh, Gee!!]

I'd hate to see how this board would resopnd if Johnathan Swift had ever written anything about the Spurs. You'd think he was advocating for the selling of babies for food with the way that some are responding to this piece!!

Elliott Kalb is no Johnathan Swift -- his effort at satire is clumsy at best -- but anyone who thinks he's seriously lambastnig the Spurs should re-read that last sentence of his column.

but, but, but, but ...... he didn't say j/k

[MadDog73]

Maybe columnists need to include emoticons in their satires...

[Oh, Gee!!]

or simply draw pictures for us san Antonians. pwnt

[DarrinS]

If the article was sarcastic, it was very subtle and I didn't pick up on it. Reading it again, I can see where it can be interpreted both ways.

If there Spurs are "boring", based in the definition given in the article, then I hope they stay "boring".

[MadDog73]

If there Spurs are "boring", based in the definition given in the article, then I hope they stay "boring".

I think you summed up the article's point very nicely.

I agree, the humor is not the best I've read, and I can see why some don't like it.

But there's little doubt the guy likes the Spurs, and is making fun of the other teams (except the Pistons - who are arguably just as "boring" as the Spurs.) The Suns are famous because of... "The Matrix?!?"

[jaysmooth004]

Maybe he forgot that the Spurs are a business, and their business is to WIN. Not to make Nike commercials, not create drama or turmoil so dumbasses like him can have something to write about. He calls for Pop, and the organzation to "finger point" for losing? What happened to sportsmanship? Grace in defeat, as well as grace in victory? These athletes and organizations have become role models for the youth of america. The spurs and their athletes should be commended for the positive influence they have, not bashed by an idiot reporter who's not creative enough to find a story unless it has "gossip, turmoil, and tumult". The NBA is about entertainment, but the teams and especially the Spurs are about winning championships, not winning the approval of the media.

WELL PUT I COULDNT AGREE WITH YOU MORE.

[BgT]

Ok I don't agree with him dissing the Spurs, but I agree with almost every point in this passage:

"Let's move this Spurs team, and put them in New York. New York fans and media would have plenty to say about the end to the Spurs' season. First, Manu Ginobili made a crucial foul on Dirk Nowitzki, allowing a late three-point play that forced overtime. Second, superstar Tim Duncan let someone named DeSagana Diop have the better of him in overtime. Third, Popovich relied so heavily on the starters that they had nothing left in the extra session. Fourth, the calling card of the Spurs — their defense — let them down. Tony Parker said he couldn't remember the Spurs having a worse half of defense than they had in the first half of Game 7. The San Antonio bench players combined to hit one basket in six attempts. Did Robert Horry have one more big shot left in him? We'll never know. Is Spurs center Rasho Nesterovic living in a different city, in the witness protection program? Rasho, after starting 121 games for Popovich the last two seasons, didn't get off the bench in five of the seven games against the Mavericks. In the 12 minutes that he did play in the series, he did not dare attempt a shot. Will anyone in the Spurs' organization second-guess Popovich's decision to play small lineups against the Mavs?"

Very well written, I agree.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

This guy has just shown us exactly what's wrong with the world today. For him it's not about good basketball or good character, it's about scandal and outraqgeous behaviour, cursing people out and worshipping fame for it's own sake.

WHAT A TOOL.

I sincerely hope he is fired for writing dross like that.

[davi78239]

Yup, it really gets me how the Spurs never get respect and seem to always be getting dumped on. I guess we are always the easy target being mr. "small market" and the fact that we aren't "flamboyent" like these other teams who have big shoe contracts and get arrested or in fights. I guess that's what sells these days and like mentioned above, that just isn't the spurs style.

[sabar]

The problem is that the thing can be interpreted two ways, as an insult or a compliment.

Yes, he is making fun of other teams compared to our class, but then again, he's right about the Spurs being a boring team. There is no drama and that's what people want. We pull low ratings even though we succeed in so many ways.

I don't like the article much. Yes, it's complimenting the Spurs and trashing other teams, but it speaks the truth about how much attention we draw. None.

[ATX Spur]

FoxSports is a joke. What's this jackass' email address?