Reigning Black - Attention back on the Weberian Spurs

[Spursfanfromafar]

Full article here

Extract -

In a way, the Spurs have managed to stay true to a Weberian model of capitalism — maximizing virtues with a single minded pursuit of excellence and profit through winning while moderating that with a lack of aggrandisement from both its players or the organisation staff. No wonder the Spurs have more or less kept their spending within reasonable limits, going over the luxury tax only at times and that being an exception rather than a norm.

Even as they keep piling up wins in the regular season, their focus is on improving their defense to a point that makes them impregnable in the post-season. The Spurs work toward reaching a point of excellence and that governs their rationality— may it be the way they ration the minutes of their aging stars or the way they privilege the necessity to improve their defense.

The rationality that drives Spurs' excellence is therefore different from what is the norm elsewhere. Basketball as a vocation is what it is — a recreational game invented by Naismith that provides a good livelihood for its prac ioners and the hangers on. To the extent that this vocation can be used to create a winning culture, all that is required to do so from within the structure of rules are strove for, while the moral virtue of living life the right way is retained. This unusually open interview of Gregg Popovich reveals the values that Spurs' executives have tried to instil in their organisation. And it is confirmed in a recent piece from Marc Spears' of Yahoo! Sports.

[Amuseddaysleeper]

Great article, a refreshing take as to why the Spurs remain successful.

Well done

[Spursfanfromafar]

Thanks, Amused. I was worried that this was too tangential an argument to satisfy Spurs fans. But glad to see that it caught your eye.

[Blackjack]

Thanks, Amused. I was worried that this was too tangential an argument to satisfy Spurs fans. But glad to see that it caught your eye.

Other than making me feel of inferior intellect (not hard to do, but still...), great way to debut.

[E-RockWill]

Well done.

I did appreciate feeling smart enough to understand a well written article....