ROY LANG III: Three les and the Spurs continue to fly under the radar
October 21, 2005
http://www.shreveporttimes.com/apps/...33/1001/SPORTS
Think about the superstars of the NBA and Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant and Allen Iverson likely come to mind immediately.
And what gets all the attention? The drama surrounding Kobe in L.A., Shaq's second career as a rapper/police officer and the high-flying circus Mark Cuban puts on the floor every year in Dallas.
Then you have the San Antonio Spurs. Yes, we all know Tim Duncan is one of the best players in the NBA. But the first thing that may come to mind when thinking of the Spurs' visit to Bossier City on Thursday was whether or not guard Tony Parker's girlfriend, Eva Longoria of "Desperate Housewives" fame, was going to escort him into the CenturyTel Center.
News flash: This team has won three NBA les in six years (1999, 2003, 2005). That matches the total of O'Neal and Kobe's beloved Los Angeles Lakers. Iverson's 76ers have yet to raise the big trophy and neither have the Mavericks. Yet somehow the Spurs don't get overexposed on ESPN and haven't exactly captured the hearts -- or complete respect -- of basketball fans around the country.
"I know the opposing coaches don't feel that way," said veteran NBA head coach Rudy Tomjanovich, now a scout.
The 29 teams away from the Alamo definitely don't take the Spurs lightly, and most are likely envious at the dynasty in the making.
"Everybody wants to be a part of what they've got going," said Tomjanovich, who began last season as the coach of the Lakers but resigned due to health reasons.
This past offseason reflected just that. The Spurs didn't lose a quality player and gained the likes of former All-Stars Michael Finley and Nick Van Exel.
Tomjanovich says the lack of publicity in the NBA these days is more often than not a good thing. Whether it's the controversy over Kobe's or Iverson's wardrobe or the office pool on who's the league's next revealed pot smoker, "negative things" grab most of the attention.
Meanwhile, Duncan just flies under the radar and collects MVPs and championships. He's the definition of a Spur.
"They just go out and do their business," Tomjanovich said. "It's reflected in their main player. He just goes out and quietly does his job. That's the way 'Pop' (Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich) is. That's they way they all are."
"They humbly go out and kick some butt."
If you read the newspapers or watch TV, it's likely the focus of the 2005-06 NBA season will again be Shaq in Miami -- looking to bring south Florida its first le-- and Phil Jackson's reunion with Kobe in Tinseltown.
But with the additions of Finley and Van Exel to the league's best team, I know who I'd pay attention to.
"They humbly go out and kick some butt."
I like that line...
The article's pretty good to mee.. or maybe I'm just being biased. However, the Spurs have been getting quite some more attention recently than before... I don't think it's all about Miami this year. People are most definitely talking about a possible Spurs repeat.
Hopefully they'll win again!
that is the way I like it. just keep winning those les, who else cares who notices because history will.
My wife asked the question last night, "What is it with Texas? Does the rest of the country have a problem with the state? The Astros win and everyone wants to talk about how great the Cardinals are. The Spurs win and everyone wants to talk about Shaq and how great the Pistons are. The Cowboys always get crapped on too."
My Japanese wife, who has lived here all of 3 years, has found the commonality...no one likes Texas. Must be what it is.
But, humility prevails...but do not mistake our humility for weakness. If you need a reminder, look to the SBC rafters! Stros will bring home the WS trophy as well.
well said.
yes!
I liked Texas, until I met Texans. Now I can't stand the state. Only city I like in Texas is San Antonio. Don't want to flame the state, but I graduated from Baylor and learned to hate Texans, especially those from Dallas. That was in the Cowboy hey-day when everybody thought of the Cowboys as "Americas Team". Made me sick to the stomach.
When I told everyone I was a Dolphins fan (I thought that was an innocent enough team, different conference and everything - I had no idea), I was hard-core verbally attacked. I couldn't believe it. I had no idea how obnoxious people could be. I have since lived in Indianapolis, Kansas City, and Minneapolis, and Dallas Cowboy fans are the most obnoxious, idiotic fans I have ever met. Don't get me wrong, I love how Texans will pull over onto the shoulder to help you pass them on single-lane roads, that is one very cool thing. But I don't care how big the damn state is, and I will mess with Texas if I want to.
/shrug. I have since met some nicer Texans (in Kansas City) which has blunted the edge of 4 years of bad memories of Texans. But I, for one, have very little sympathy for any negative treatment that Texas gets.
And then came Katrina. Can't say enough about what Houston, San Antonio, and other cities have done. Very comendable. I hope that is not forgotten over the tragedy and heart-ache that has become associated with Katrina. So now I just hate Dallas. Especially the Cowboys. They don't get crapped on enough.
Probably not the post many of you would agree with, but I do love the city of San Antonio. Loved the people there, the atmosphere, don't know what Phil Jackson was complaining about.
coopdogg3
It's funny...but whenever people around here find out I'm a SA Spurs fan (and that I'm not even orginally from Texas), they always ask why...they're so boring?
And I always answer........I like them cuz they're good and winners.
im sorry, but no way the spurs are flying under the radar. Not gettin too much attention and being under the radar are two separate things. Most fans may not like them, or want to talk about them, but in the last 2 years at least, almost everybody has been givin them plenty of respect. When championship contenders are talked about, spurs are either the first or second name mentioned.
Float like a monarch butterfly... sting like a bee!
^^nice Vash.
i am not so sure. what i have read over the summer is how the Spurs are a dynasty in the making and the definitive favourites to win the 06 championship. When even SAS agrees, it pretty much has to be consensus.
Also, the writer talked about 3 in 6 years, isn't it 3 in 7 years? you have to count them inclusive.
as in 99, 00, 01, 02, 03, 04, 05 ... that's seven years!
Please don't pull the not enough respect card, Detroit did it all year last year, and it was as obnoxious as Avril Lavigne after a while.
I don't know who took that pic but I could not resist putting the label on it.
Many Texans have an arrogant at ude about their state. That they have the best of everything there. That arrogance is what most people don't like.
I've lived in Texas and i don't miss not being there any more at all.
3 les and rascal is still finding problems. I guess it will take Vince Carter joining the Spurs to please him...
There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote
