In the midst of the most recent series victory by the San Antonio Spurs many people have posted why they "hate" the Spurs. So let's put everything on the table now.
I was born and raised a Spurs fan and I don't think that is going to change anytime soon. Do I think any team can beat the Spurs in a seven game series? No. Did I mention I'm from San Antonio? So I will have a biased towards the Spurs in most cases.
The Spurs are boring. This is usually the first argument when it comes to why people hate the Spurs. Outside of San Antonio this may be right but when you break down the San Antonio Spurs you couldn't be more wrong.
Tim Duncan is the best power forward to play the game for the past decade, if not ever. Manu Ginobili is one of the most dynamic players to lace up his sneakers in recent years and Tony Parker is one of the fastest and best point guards to attack the paint.
Did I lose you yet?
I know this stuff can be boring, it’s the Spurs. The Spurs have been complemented on their ability to play either in the half court or on the break. So versatility is boring.
Ok, got it.
They are usually within the top five in defense since the arrival of TD. So their ability to hold teams that usually score over a hundred per game to under ninety points is boring.
OK, fair enough.
Instead of slam dunking they lay-up or put in a soft dunk. BORING! Last I remember its still worth two points if you lay-up or slam it down Vince Carter style. Bottom line is they do what they have to do to win. If it’s boring November through April, so be it, because ask anyone in San Antonio and they'll tell you June is a lot more fun in South Texas.
"They're flopper's". This one has received a lot of attention lately. So let’s get things straight, only one team out of 32 flops? It’s simple if you can exaggerate the foul so it’s easier for the official to make the call then why not.
Did you see how that last sentence started? "Exaggerate the foul" meaning a foul has occurred. Yes depending on the ref if you don't "flop" you might still get the call but then again you might not. Why not make sure the foul gets called. It sounds more like good discipline and smart decision making.
Trust me watch what ever game comes on in your region tomorrow and you will see flopping on both sides of the court. One thing that is for sure is it won't be San Antonio.
This one is just ridiculous: The refs are on the Spurs side.
Seriously? I'm sure David Stern had a meeting with the officials and said, "Hey guys make sure San Antonio makes it to the finals". Remember we're a "small" market and nobody wants to see the lame Spurs play for a championship except the 1.5 million people in SA.
Bad calls go both ways but as a fan I would expect you to say that your team gets the raw end of the deal majority of the time. San Antonio has been on that end of bad calls plenty, .4, need I say more? I just got nauseous.
This one is my favorite: The Spurs are a dirty team.
Wasn't it just a couple of years ago the Spurs were called too soft? Make up your mind already! All roads in this area lead to Bruce Bowen. It’s funny how a handful of incidents between one of the best perimeter defenders and some of the highest profile players in the league make an entire team dirty.
These players that accuse Bowen of being a dirty player just are not used to being hounded for 35 plus minutes a night. The league has reviewed every single incident and ruled that every single one except for one was incidental. Ironically, the one that they did uphold was one that CP3 "flopped" on.
He sold it, the league bit, and Bruce got suspended. I guess that just makes for a interesting plot in the upcoming series.
The reason people hate the Spurs is just their ability to win championships. Why do people hate the Yankees or the Patriots? People who don't have success seem to be jealous of those that do. I think we may have to revisit the argument of the Spurs dynasty. The fact that everybody "hates" the Spurs just proves that the Spurs are the dynasty of the 2000's.
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3 months ago
It would be great to watch a Lakers-Spurs Westrn Coference Finals to take out BOREDOM. It'll make you sweat..
3 months ago
I agree with most of your article and do finds the Spurs to be entertaining even though I'm not always rooting for them. I'll admit even though I saw the Spurs as the favorite I was pulling for last years Suns team. I also rooted for the Pistons in both finals against the Spurs (that's East coast basis). I'm not sure yet who I'll be rooting for in round 2 but would definately root for LA over SA and likely the Jazz as well since I'm a huge Deron Williams fan.
Anyway, I think you overlooked a major reason why people dislike the Spurs. Tim Duncan. Most superstars are dying to get in front of the camara and smile for you. Stars that have a luke warm relationship with the media like Duncan, Moses Malone, Patrick Ewing, John Stockton etc are always underrated and always have detractors. Tim Duncan never cared to turn himself into a brand name and its certinly had an effect on SA popularity outside of SA. If he was court jesture like Shaq or a GQ guy like Bron or D Wade and plastered himself all over the TV SA would likely be more popular even in the smaller market
2 months ago
Kevin: Is it Duncan's fault Madison Avenue doesn't want him or his fault? They used to say the same thing about Pete Sampras. My only problem wit the Spurs is every time they play I have to see and/or hear about Eva Longoria. I can care less about her. But...the Spurs are a great team, nobody will deny that. BTW...I agree with the article and your points too.
2 months ago
I really cant stand Tony Longoria-Parker myself but I do think its Tim Duncan's "fault" Madison Avenue doesn't want him. Most players with Duncan's talent level view themselves as a brand name and painstaking cultivate a public image that sells and makes their "brand" seem as cool as possible. I don't think Ducan views himself that way. I think he probably sees the spotlight as something he is required to deal with as a result of his job and not a perk of something use in a business sense. This along with the fact that he not a highflyer makes him much less marketable then other stars and makes SA much less cool nationally.
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