David Leister: Malik’s Tears Reflect Spurs Greatness

by **Ginofan** on Fri Feb 25, 2005 6:28 pm

A great article on Malik by our very own GrandeDavid. 
 
<blockquote>Quote:<hr> 
Malik’s Tears Reflect Spurs Greatness  
By David Leister 
SpursCentral.com 
February 25, 2005 
 
 
No, this is not another “how could they trade Malik” column. The aim here is simply to praise the San Antonio Spurs organization for what it is: world class and comprised of personnel deserving of the highest accolades from any NBA critic. 
 
It really is true that the story of the San Antonio Spurs tells one of the rare tales of a team where professional athletes truly support each other and help each other on and off the court. Its also illuminates that San Antonio has nearly impeccable team chemistry and nothing reinforces this fact more than the tear-jerker goodbye interview Malik Rose shared yesterday, thanking everyone from Peter Holt to his pastor to the fans to David Robinson to The Iceman to...last and certainly perched a little higher than the rest, his teammates. Saying goodbye to his teammates is what appeared to really shake Malik up. Eight years of basketball service, community service, a philly cheesesteak joint and eight years of becoming an icon for what defines the character of the San Antonio Spurs. A couple of years ago David Robinson retired and it was Malik Rose who spoke on behalf of his teammates in thanking the Admiral for his team and community contributions during halftime of a game. Everywhere you look within this franchise there seems to be countless feel good stories. 
 
Its really quite astonishing how the Spurs can maintain such a stellar level of success while they appear more like a tranquil, earthy planet among a furious galaxy of turbulent star franchises and individualist ballers. On most teams, a role player like Malik Rose gets traded and the fans at best roll their eyes, but what’s more, the player, himself, thinks its all good because he’s still getting paid. Especially when that player is going to get a few more million bucks kicked into the trade. But not in San Antonio and not with Malik Rose. If Rose really did have a big beef with Gregg Popovich for years, as some have speculated, it was not a rift deep enough to ease the pain in his gouged heart over being shipped off to New York. No, Malik Rose was truly heartbroken, and this is a man from Philly who has overcome countless doubters and obstacles in his life. But to be so gutted over a trade to a big market team where he’ll likely earn significantly more playing time, not to mention a few million extra, speaks volumes of the tremendous character that is ingrained and so brilliantly reflected in the San Antonio Spurs franchise. 
 
Nobody is perfect and neither is any organization. Some might say that the Spurs are being disloyal to Rose and, perhaps, were disloyal when they let Avery Johnson go. But loyalty has a price, and this is a business. Its one thing to maintain a club of nice guys for a noble sake, but how nice will these professional athletes appear over the long run when they remain millionaires and get knocked out of the playoffs regularly while the fans still get charged a high price for a game ticket and gear. No, the Spurs made a wise business decision in trading Malik, and once the pain settles most true fans will realize that this deal was best for all sides. It is because of the fans that not only the San Antonio Spurs, but the entire NBA, the entire entertainment industry, exists. But how many fans would remain loyal to the Spurs were they to become salary-cap strapped like the Knicks and unable to add championship-necessary pieces over the next few years during Tim Duncan’s peak years? With this trade, the Spurs will have the flexibility to add key potential pieces like Luis Scola and retain key pieces like Devin Brown to fill in for an aging Bruce Bowen. 
 
The harsh reality is that the NBA, like most leagues and businesses in real life, is a cut throat league where a small market franchise like the San Antonio Spurs must go the extra mile to reign in their budget just to survive. Yet to do so successfully while still being able to compete on a higher level than most franchises, particulary against the New Yorks and Los Angeleses, and maintaining excellent team chemistry and a very special relationship with their fans and community, makes the San Antonio Spurs organization worthy of praise, not criticism. Sure there is revenue sharing and salary caps, but there are also 29 other rivals in this league and year in and year out the Spurs are among the top two or three winningest franchises, this year vying for the franchise’s third championship. 
 
Everyone, including Gregg Popovich, will miss Malik Rose dearly. We fans are having to swallow lumps when we watch his goodbye interview. But through this sentimental moment and Malik’s tears shine a reality that the San Antonio Spurs and the city of San Antonio truly are something special. Its sad to see Malik go, while at the same time I feel blessed to be a true fan of the San Antonio Spurs. So while we fans grieve a bit over Malik’s departure, I’d suggest refraining from fingerpointing at the organization, that same organization which does its best to treat its fans to Riverwalk championship parades year in and year out. That same franchise which rewarded Malik financially for his contributions after the 2002 season. That same franchise which has a reputation league-wide for being straight shooters and world class. 
 
The San Antonio Spurs truly are exemplary. Just ask Malik Rose. 
 
 
<hr></blockquote> <div style="text-align:center"> 
<a href="http://www.supergino.com" target="top">SuperGino.com - My Ginobili Fansite</a> 
<img src="http://img57.exs.cx/img57/9647/g19.jpg" style="border:0;"/></div>Edited by: <A HREF=http://p204.ezboard.com/bsanantoniospurs62937.showUserPublicProfile?gid=grandedavid>GrandeDavid</A> <IMG HEIGHT=10 WIDTH=10 SRC="http://www.stopstart.fsnet.co.uk/flags/usa.gif" BORDER=0> at: 2/26/05 11:29 am

Samr · by **Samr** on Fri Feb 25, 2005 7:37 pm

This is the first article of yours that I remember reading, although I am possitive you have done great ones previously. Good job all around. Great prospective, great points, and it really reads well. 
 
Nicely done, Grande, nicely done!<img src=http://www.sahoops.net/smilies/clap.gif ALT=":clap"> ++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 
 
"Another turning point, a fork stuck in the road. Time grabs you by the wrist, directs you where to go. So make the best of this test and don't ask why. It's not a question but a lesson learned in time. It's something unpredictable but in the end is right. I hope you had the time of your life." 
 
Malik Rose: '96-'05 -Once a Spur, always a San Antonian. You will be missed

SAmikep · by **SAmikep** on Fri Feb 25, 2005 8:24 pm

<img src=http://www.sahoops.net/smilies/bowdown.gif ALT=":bowdown"> <img src=http://www.sahoops.net/smilies/bowdown.gif ALT=":bowdown"> <img src=http://www.sahoops.net/smilies/bowdown.gif ALT=":bowdown"> 
 
well done. That's All-Star Manu Ginobili to you.

by **BiggDrew** on Fri Feb 25, 2005 9:55 pm

very nice job, Dave. 
The Knicks will benefit from Malik's presence more than the Spurs will feel his absence. Malik will become a fan favorite in no time. He's a hard work, solid defender, great mid range shooter, and a champion. The Knicks needed a persevering vet with a winning history to guide their lost kids. <hr /> <div style="text-align:center">"Manu is like a pitbull on a chain, The second Pop releases him, he will rip the other team to pieces..."</div>

tphuey · by **tphuey** on Fri Feb 25, 2005 11:38 pm

Nice one, GD!

missmyzte · by **missmyzte** on Sat Feb 26, 2005 12:09 am

Perfectly written and perfectly articulated. How many teams and their fans mourn the "loss" of a player as much as San Antonio is for Malik? 
 
I just bought tickets to see the Lakers/Knicks play in LA on March 29th. I'm in my usual seat, 4th row right next to the visitors tunnel so I will hopefully get to talk to Lik. <hr />MistiLynn 
<img src="http://www.mistilynn.com/spurs/banner-tp.jpg" style="border:0;"/> 
"It's got to be hard to defend us," Nesterovic said, "when we don't even know who's going to shoot." 1/26/05

Samr · by **Samr** on Sat Feb 26, 2005 12:13 am

<blockquote>Quote:<hr>I'm in my usual seat, 4th row right next to the visitors tunnel so I will hopefully get to talk to Lik.<hr></blockquote> 
 
If you do, perhaps you could direct him to this site? 
 
I realize that all of the people on here would love nothing more than to tell Malik "thank you" and explain to him what he really means to not only the team, but the city. I can't help but think we've all done a good job of showing that on here. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 
 
Malik Rose: '96-'05 -Once a Spur, always a San Antonian. You will be missed

SAmikep · by **SAmikep** on Sat Feb 26, 2005 12:14 am

Thanks to Blondie's efforts...he knows about this site. That's All-Star Manu Ginobili to you.

missmyzte · by **missmyzte** on Sat Feb 26, 2005 12:18 am

He definitely knows about this site. When I was talking with him last season I mentioned that I traveled to San Antonio thanks to Spurs Central and he commented that he liked the site and appreciated that there was a link to his restaurant on the front page. <hr />MistiLynn 
<img src="http://www.mistilynn.com/spurs/banner-tp.jpg" style="border:0;"/> 
"It's got to be hard to defend us," Nesterovic said, "when we don't even know who's going to shoot." 1/26/05

GrandeDavid · by **GrandeDavid** on Sat Feb 26, 2005 1:36 pm

Thanks for the love guys! 
 
Myzte, hopefully Malik will read this piece. <div style="text-align:center"><img src="http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/6171/GD.jpg"/></div>

GrandeDavid · by **GrandeDavid** on Sat Feb 26, 2005 1:38 pm

Sam, I love reading your columns, too! I'll definitely try to write more. <div style="text-align:center"><img src="http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/6171/GD.jpg"/></div>

missmyzte · by **missmyzte** on Sat Feb 26, 2005 2:01 pm

I can print it out and give it to him at the game next month, I should hopefully get a chance to talk to him (I'll be really sad if I don't). I think he'd like to read this. <hr />MistiLynn 
<img src="http://www.mistilynn.com/spurs/banner-tp.jpg" style="border:0;"/> 
"It's got to be hard to defend us," Nesterovic said, "when we don't even know who's going to shoot." 1/26/05

by **buck57** on Sun Feb 27, 2005 12:19 am

Excellent read David...You perfectly articulated what many of us true Spurs fans feel and hit on the reasons that that many of us love this team...The Spurs organization provide for us what very few things do in modern culture today: The ability to enjoy entertainment with our families without fear... Thanks Spurs and thank you David for your article..<img src=http://www.sahoops.net/smilies/rock.gif ALT=":rock">

TheSick1 · by **TheSick1** on Mon Feb 28, 2005 1:45 am

Good Job Grande!

by **Lepramaniac** on Mon Feb 28, 2005 3:55 am

Great article Dave!. But where's your Mel Gibson pic? you didn't post it this time bro! <img src=http://www.sahoops.net/smilies/lol.gif ALT=":lol"> <div style="text-align:center"><img src="http://kobefallingdown.web1000.com/santa.jpg" style="border:0;"/> 
</div>

David Leister: Malik’s Tears Reflect Spurs Greatness