Original Spurs?

[rob5]

[Solid D]

Yes, the ABA 1973-74 San Antonio Spurs (season-end roster at least).



Back Row: Trainer-Bernie LaReau (I think), 22-George Karl, 13-James Silas, 30-Chuck Terry, 21-Bobby Warren, William "Bird" Averitt, Asst. Coach Rudy Davalos
Front Row: 44-George "Iceman" Gervin, 50-Eugene "Goo" Kennedy, 33-Rich Jones, 25-Coby Dietrick, 31-Swen Nater, 54-Simmie Hill, Head Coach Tom Nissalke

[Steve-O-Matic]

Nice tube socks.

[ShoogarBear]

Nice find.

[samikeyp]

Trainer-Bernie LaReau (I think)

You are correct. Well done!

[T Park]

always my favorite nickname

Goo Kennedy

[spurtime]

Wasn't Gervin playing with the Virginia Squires in 73-74???

edit: He came midseason in 73-74...I thought it was 74-75.

[Steve-O-Matic]

We could have trotted those guys out against the Cavs and still won in six.

[O-Factor]

great pic

[Solid D]

Wasn't Gervin playing with the Virginia Squires in 73-74???

edit: He came midseason in 73-74...I thought it was 74-75.

I believe that photo was taken later in the year of the inaugural season...perhaps at the end. Goo Kennedy and Bird Averitt were not Spurs in 1974-75.

[conqueso]

We could have trotted those guys out against the Cavs and still won in six.

Not only that, but Gervin would have averaged 35 a game, George Karl would have Horry'ed LBJ into the scorer's table at least two or three times, and it would have been the highest-scoring, highest-rated finals since MJ retired. Can you imagine if that team would have played the Suns this year? The scores of those games would be combined 280's, easily.

[Solid D]

Actually, that first Spurs team had some similarities to the current Spurs in their style of play. Nissalke actually had them playing defense. Of course, that style didn't last very long. Nissalke was fired mid-season the next year and Bob Bass took over.

You might find this interesting.

http://www.remembertheaba.com/San-Antonio-Spurs.html

The 1973-74 Spurs were controlled and deliberate on offense, and extremely stingy on defense. This became apparent early in the season on October 20th, when the Spurs beat the Indiana Pacers 92-66. The 66-point output by Indiana was an ABA record low. Two weeks later, on November 3rd, the Spurs limited the Denver Rockets to 72 points. Over the course of that first season, the Spurs held their opponents below the 100-point level 49 times -- another ABA record.

[ShoogarBear]

George Karl would have Horry'ed LBJ into the scorer's table at least two or three times.

LeBron would have wiped his ass with Karl.

Rich Jones is the guy who LBJ would have to watch out for.

[Solid D]

Swen Nater was actually Rookie of the Year in 1974. He was a first round draft pick but he never started a game his senior year at UCLA. He was Bill Walton's backup.

I remember an Old Timers game at Hemisfair Arena during David Robinson's and Sean Elliott's early years. Swen Nater showed up and played in it and he looked like he could still play in the NBA after being out of pro ball for a long time. His legs were like tree trunks but he was a very skilled big man.

[wildbill2u]

LeBron would have wiped his ass with Karl.

Rich Jones is the guy who LBJ would have to watch out for.

You're wrong. Karl was a player who'd give up his body on defense. He had an ongoing battle with George McGinnis, a 250 pound ABA all-star that was awesome to watch.

Karl would get into a defensive position ahead of a McGinnis drive time and time again and McGinniw would rumble over him and Karl would draw the charge--without flopping. LeBron would do the same.

[ShoogarBear]

You're wrong. Karl was a player who'd give up his body on defense. He had an ongoing battle with George McGinnis, a 250 pound ABA all-star that was awesome to watch.

Karl would get into a defensive position ahead of a McGinnis drive time and time again and McGinniw would rumble over him and Karl would draw the charge--without flopping. LeBron would do the same.

Uh, did you read the post I responded to? If you actually think Karl would have "Horry'd LBJ into the scorer's table", you're wrong.

[jag]

We could have trotted those guys out against the Cavs and still won in six.

True story.

[lefty]

Damn, Rasard Lewis must be Eugene Kennedy's illegitimate son...

[Mitch Cumsteen]

When I was a kid attending Spurs camp at Antonian back in the 70s, Rudy Davalos was a mainstay. He'd trot out to midcourt, get on his knees, and fling the ball backward over his head into the basket. That was pretty much the coolest thing I'd seen in my first 8 years of life.

[Taco]

Swen Nater!!!

[theroc5]

Looks like we still have the same roster lol...is that matt bonner wearing number 30?

[degenerate_gambler]

always my favorite nickname

Goo Kennedy

yep.

but i always liked bird averitt and skeeter swift too.

[O-Factor]

[alamo50]

Swen Nater was actually Rookie of the Year in 1974. He was a first round draft pick but he never started a game his senior year at UCLA. He was Bill Walton's backup.

I remember an Old Timers game at Hemisfair Arena during David Robinson's and Sean Elliott's early years. Swen Nater showed up and played in it and he looked like he could still play in the NBA after being out of pro ball for a long time. His legs were like tree trunks but he was a very skilled big man.

The first dutch born player in silver and black.

[lefty]

Damn, Karl was good looking back then