San Antonio Spurs: Top 10 Reasons for Fan Apathy Over the Spurs' Hot Start

What’s up with the fan indifference in San Antonio? Starting the rodeo road trip, the Spurs were (40-7) and four games up on the Boston Celtics for the No. 1 seed overall. 

But they’re largely ignored as a serious contender for the NBA championship this season—outside of the Alamo City. 

They’re eight games up on the defending champion L.A. Lakers, but the national media hasn’t caught on.  In fact, most of the local media and fan base are slow to catch on. 

Join me as I provide you the reasons why—compiled from my research in Reasoning on the River Walk in sunny San Antonio.

10. Fans Know the NBA Is Chocked Full of Pitiful Teams This Season

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SAN ANTONIO - APRIL 29: Fan Wil Drash supports the San Antonio Spurs against the Phoenix Suns in Game Five of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2008 NBA Playoffs at the AT&T Center on April 29, 2008 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: Us

30 teams in the NBA.  15 of them below .500 as of January 31, 2011. 

Not only is the NBA suffering with poor team play, but now fans of the rock band Kiss are showing up at home games.

9. The Spurs Rely on Shooting Jumpers

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OAKLAND, CA - JANUARY 24: George Hill #3 talks to Gary Neal #14 of the San Antonio Spurs during their game against the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena on January 24, 2011 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees

Barring a trade for low post scoring help, they’ll likely depend on three-point shooting and penetrating guards in the playoffs.   

Both Roger Mason and Richard Jefferson lost confidence in their shots after the All-Star break last year. 

This year, Gary Neal started showing signs of a shooting slump after the halfway mark in the season.  He was 2-13 combined at one point against Houston and Portland.

Yikes!  Will he be this year's Roger Mason or last year's Richard Jefferson down the stretch? Roger Jefferson.  Yikes!

8. The Interior Defense is as Appalling as the Perimeter ‘D’

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LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 01: Blake Griffin #32 of the Los Angeles Clippers shoots a jumper over Antonio McDyess #34 of the San Antonio Spurs at the Staples Center on December 1, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledge

Lacking a perimeter defender like Bruce Bowen, the Spurs haven’t been as fearsome on defense since he retired.  The Spurs won championships with terrific interior defense and smothering “d” on the perimeter.

Now they lack the shot-blocking ability to contest in the lane on a championship level.

There is one shot blocker—Tim Duncan, who is not the athlete he once was—by his own admission. 

Blake Griffin soaring over flat foot defenders is worth the price of NBA admission.

7. The Spurs Lack a Reliable Low Post Scoring Threat Other Than Timmy

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SAN ANTONIO, TX - DECEMBER 28: Forward DeJuan Blair #45 of the San Antonio Spurs reacts during play against the Los Angeles Lakers at AT&T Center on December 28, 2010 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by d

Disinterest in DeJuan Blair’s game in the post is nothing to scream about.

6. Fans Remember: 'Don't Ever Underestimate the Heart of a Champion'

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LOS ANGELES - JULY 10: Rudy Tomjanovich smiles during a press conference announcing him as the new head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers on July 10, 2004 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Most Spurs fans are hesitant to disrespect the L.A. Lakers chances of three-peating this year—and for good reason. 

Down the road on 1-10, Houston’s coach Rudy Tomjanovich made the quote famous in 1995 and San Antonio fans remember.  His Rockets were two-time defending champions and upset No. 1 seeded San Antonio in 1995.

In this case, the heart of the two-time defending champion bleeds purple and gold.

5. Tiago Splitter Has Been a Bust and Forced Pop to Play Small Ball

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SAN ANTONIO, TX - DECEMBER 28: Forward Tiago Splitter #22 of the San Antonio Spurs during play against the Los Angeles Lakers at AT&T Center on December 28, 2010 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downlo

Coach Greg Popovich has stated that Splitter will be a good NBA player.  I assume he meant this millenium. 

He obviously wasn’t talking about the first 50 games.   

Some fans feel like Splitter should play more than he does.  Others aren't so sure. 

Where are Luis Scola, or better yet—the 1995 David Robinson (29 points per game) when you need them?

Ouch.

4. The Games Have Been Starting Later

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SAN ANTONIO - JUNE 17: Actress Eva Longoria waves to the fans during the NBA championship parade down the San Antonio River walk June 17, 2007 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using t

I’ve heard this excuse—that fans have been forced to be out in sports bars too late in the middle of the week.

But, the schedule this season is no different than it’s ever been—with one exception.  Last Thursday was one of the coldest nights in the Alamo City in years and the Lakers-Spurs game was on late.

 Later for excuses.

3. Spurs Fans are Jaded

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SAN ANTONIO - JUNE 17: Tony Parker #9 of the San Antonio Spurs waves to the fans during the NBA championship parade down the San Antonio River walk June 17, 2007 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloa

The Spurs organization has gained a reputation as one of the best in the NBA.  With Tim Duncan, every year the team has been a major player in the playoffs. 

After four championships, even one of the highest scoring teams the Spurs have had since the George Gervin era can’t seem to find a buzz in town.

Are some fans not interested until the playoffs? Yes. 

They want to see Tony Parker throwin' up wannabe gangster signs during river parades.

2. Tim Duncan May Have to Carry the Team in the Playoffs

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OAKLAND, CA - JANUARY 24: Tim Duncan #21 of the San Antonio Spurs stands for the National Anthem before their game against the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena on January 24, 2011 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges an

Some national writers like Tom Bradwell were calling Duncan “spry” and “rejuvenated” in the playoffs last year.  What will they be calling him in this year’s.  Time will tell.

The future Hall of Fame inductee is scoring seven points less than last year and playing a career low 29 minutes per game.

Fresh for the playoffs?  Sure.  Fresh in the playoffs?  Some fans aren't so sure.

1. Tony Parker and Eva Longoria Are Getting Back Together

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WASHINGTON - SEPTEMBER 15: (AFP OUT) Actress Eva Longoria (L) and NBA player Tony Parker kiss at the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute's 33rd Annual Awards Gala at the Washington Convention Center September 15, 2010 in Washington, DC. President Bar

Spurs fans liked it better when they were divorced—they're 40-8 for crying out loud.

Read my lips—thanks for reading.  This has been another installment of the wacky series: Reasoning on the River Walk. 

Au revoir.