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This is (Grande)David's first submission to us. Let him know if you like it.
The Love-Despair Affair in Spurs Nation
By David Leister
SpursZONE.com
The San Antonio Spurs -- you love them one day, you wonder why the next. You are gloating over Brent Barry’s crafty play in the Denver series, then wanting to outright cut him during the Seattle series. Ironically against the Phoenix Suns in this year’s Western Conference Finals, you now are suddenly down on one of the greatest players in NBA history. Though Barry is back in good graces of Spurs Nation, Tim Duncan is not.
Surely the same frustration and angst are suffered by the fans of other professional sports franchises. But in this one team town -- this small market, always flying-under-the-radar cedar and oak haven in the Hill Country of Texas -- missing free throws can warrant a visit to the shrink. If you use the city’s professional basketball team as the benchmark, San Antonio is a town which seems to neither enjoy nor benefit from positive press.
Before Game 4 against Phoenix, there was nationwide acclaim to fame of San Antonio’s sensational new run-&-gun style offense and wet blanket-on-a-fire defense. Tim Duncan was again being called the greatest basketball force on the planet, while Manu Ginobili was being touted as the next superstar. Could Ginobili someday become the first foreign born governor of the State of Texas?
Until Monday evening, the sports world was being reminded that the San Antonio Spurs boast the winningest record in any major professional sport since 1997. What they were not reminded of were the countless hair-pulling, sleep-losing tussles with anxiety the team has endowed upon its fans. It’s not so much love-hate as in a major market city like New York or Los Angeles, rather love-despair.
A couple of late errant passes and clanked free throws collectively tremble a city and cause nightmares of masked athletic guards shooting game icing jumpshots over All World Defender Bruce Bowen. Of up and coming rim rockers, who allegedly have never come across the concept of gritty defense, stuffing the invincible Duncan on a critical dunk in the waning minute of a game.
In San Antonio, the collective mood of a city changes at the drop of a basketball come playoff time. But it’s this very attachment to its team which makes this place special to NBA players.
As Danny Ferry once said when asked about playing in San Antonio versus other NBA cities, "We (the players) know how good we have it here."
And this love-despair affair between fan and franchise will hopefully never die. But during those moments of doubt when the ball simply does not pierce the cotton and that margarita thirst for a river parade is temporarily put on hold, just relax. The love story continues and the chances at glory are many. Just remember that in San Antonio, this love does not come without a price -- your sanity.
Last edited by Kori Ellis; 06-01-2005 at 02:58 PM.
This is (Grande)David's first submission to us. Let him know if you like it.
I loved this article...Really puts it the way Spurs fans are..We love em and hate em all at the same time...As for me, I always give them love..GO SPURS GO
Great article. It reminds of something Pop said last year about Spurs fans. How the second the Spurs clinch a playoff spot people start making room in their budgets for Finals tickets and when the Spurs lose a playoff game he has to look over his shoulder if he goes outside. But I'd rather have this than apathy.
Great Article
Great Job, David. Keep it up!
Way to go, David!
Keep up the good work David
Great article! Well written and spot on.
good article. The up/down champ/chump inconsistency is just part of the Spurs team culture. It was there in the 03 Champs, and it's still there now.
just show me the TROPHY!GET IT DONE! NO TEASES!
The article is right on the money!
Nice!
It is no Peter Vescey, but it is alright.
Good thoughts.
I have a couple of suggestions on details in the article intended to help, not hurt.
You might want to cut, paste in Word and run spell/grammar check.
Bruce Bowen (not Browen)
Free throws collectively tremble a city (suggest: makes a city tremble... or something similar where the usage is more correct).
Thanks for that GrandeDavid.
Nice Article, you realy hit it dead on.
Enjoyed reading it!
On a side note: I basically listen (sometimes watch) the game, take a shower and go directly to work. Lately I've noticed that when the Spurs lose, a nice cup of coffee appears on my desk by itself and that the office is a lot quieter when I walk in
Well written, David!
well done
Good job, David. I am reminded of the 2003 playoff season when I read an article in the Express News where a fan at the SBC Center was pacing nervously just outside where the game was being played. He told the reporter he was out there because he didn't think his heart could take watching the game once the Spurs started to lose their large lead. I have the same feeling of nervousness. I believe in them, and I know they can do better than they do sometimes. I just can't stand seeing them play less than they're capable of. Drives me nuts. On nights that I'm working when they're playing I can just record the game...if they win, I'll watch. If they don't, I won't. But tonight I'm off and will have to a tranquilizer or something.
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