Don't hate the playa hate the game. The Spurs did things the right way and came out massive winners this summer. No hate here although I do hope pop gets the selfish aldridge.
I really do question how this is going to work. If he doesn't completely change his thought process/ego. He wouldn't even meet with Damian to discuss returning, it makes me really wonder how much of a team player he is. I guess we'll see if he can set aside his ego for the good of the team and if Pop will be able to get him in line. Maybe he needs some tough love to bring out the best in him.
I see this said all the time, and it's complete bullshit. They absolutely tanked the 1998 season to get Duncan, and have been living off that cheap move ever since. They invented tanking, and the rest of the league has been paying for it by having to watch 5-8 teams do that every year and put a subpar product on the floor.
I see this said all the time, and it's complete bullshit. They absolutely tanked the 1998 season to get Duncan, and have been living off that cheap move ever since. They invented tanking, and the rest of the league has been paying for it by having to watch 5-8 teams do that every year and put a subpar product on the floor.
A good portion of my childhood was spent in Winston Salem NC, home of the Demon Deacons. It's been an absolute pleasure watching Duncan during his amazing run from obscurity to decades of dominance. The Warriors (among other teams in the 95 lotto) openly pined for him to declare after his Sophomore year and smiled through gritted teeth settling for Joe Smith #1. The Sixers slumped to their knees in hopes of Timmy's NBA declaration the next offseason, but were left holding the Alan Iverson bag. Early on it was obvious to everyone with hoops passion that sleepy eyed TD was a tremendous talent. Blaming teams for bending over backwards for top young talent is as ridiculous as trying to hold back waves at the beach with your hands. Of course teams tank for talent, thats the nature of the beast
As a sports organization, the NBA is so fucked for the $, I just don't believe that a small market/tucked away in the NW team is allowed to win the big games and players/agents know this. I've seen more then enough playoff game phantom fouls on key Blazers not to. I don't blame the players for wanting the chance to win. The only way a ratings killer like Portland is allowed to succeed in this league is if they somehow feature a player or team who transcends their small market limitations as a world wide marketing sensation. Thats a long long way from what I want to root for
I think they've extended their window with addition of Aldridge and resigning of Leonard. I don't think they will miss a beat when Duncan retires. To me it's just as much the coach and system as it is the player.
I hate them with a passion. They are probably the team i hated the most in my life.
I will cheer for any basketball-related misfortune they will encounter.
The Spurs were always my second favorite team - class organization. However, now with LMA on the team there's no way I can cheer for them. I think (or maybe just hope?) LMA will be their "Rondo" - not in the sense that he's a malcontent (though he kinda is), but in the sense of being the first sign of their final demise. LMA deserves one-and-dones for the rest of his career. My worry is that Pops is such a tremendous coach that not even a bum like LMA can undo Pops' coaching abilities.
I have undying respect for Duncan/Pops, but the Spurs no longer rank as a team that I enjoy.