sleeper SPURS

gameFACE sa · by **gameFACE sa** on Sun Jun 12, 2005 5:41 pm

sleeper Spurs 
Game 1, Game 2 and moving Forward on Guards 
 
X - What’s his name.......... 
 
Every now and then a movie which didn’t necessarily receive much press or advertising ends up a hit. Mostly because people took a genuine liking to it. When I come across a movie i’ve seen like that years later while flipping through channels i’ll stop to watch a piece of it or maybe all of it. Every subsequent time I watch it I will generally pick up more of the substantive text. Other times I notice an actor, writer, producer or director who has now made the big time. Oh yeah and that movie has “what’s his name”. You know that guy. Anyway, he comes out in every movie. 
 
XX - FANfair 
 
The ambience at the SBC Center for Game 1 was very very different than any other regular season or playoff game up to this point. Large banners of the players hang on the SBC center. The NBA Jam Van is parked outside the west entry. There are backboards set up around it. There are booths everywhere. One is a dunking booth with a guy wearing Rip Hamilton’s #32 jersey. The closest of my three softball tries came within millimeters (the 12 year old girl after me hit the target first try, of course). 
 
<img src="http://www.spursinfo.com/photos/spurs/050609/050609_21.jpg" style="border:0;"/> 
<img src="http://www.spursinfo.com/photos/spurs/050609/050609_13.jpg" style="border:0;"/> 
<img src="http://www.spursinfo.com/photos/spurs/050609/050609_18.jpg" style="border:0;"/> 
<img src="http://www.mysanantonio.com/multimedia/slideshows/show_610/PISTONS-SPURS-G1.jpg" style="border:0;"/> 
<img src="http://msn.foxsports.com/id/3678782_7_2.jpg" style="border:0;"/> 
 
Fans are everywhere. Photographers and other media zoom by. Music is pumping loud. It’s generally more crowded than normal before a game. 
 
XXX - The BIG TIME 
 
Inside the arena is something else. Three or four sections around the court have different sports reporters sitting on stools surrounded by television lights and cameras with swarms of outstreched arms holding microphones and tiny digital recorders. Huge banners cover up walls. 
 
As much as terms like underdog are often used figuratively in pro sports the Spurs are part of the NBA. The NBA is entertainment first, basketball second. And the SBC Center is a multi million dollar sports facility. That aside there is a feeling that your little old gym has been taken over by The BIG TIME. This is the world stage in all of basketball. 
 
<img src="http://www.spursinfo.com/photos/spurs/050609/050609_11.jpg" style="border:0;"/> 
 
There are two oversized, kitchy, post modern looking replicas of the O’Brien Trophy at the ends of the court. Speaking of which, the O’Brien's ('99 & '03) are in the house at the west lobby display case. They've been here before. This is their proper place. They'll have another cousin joining soon. 
 
XXXX - Show Time (er, game time)!! 
 
<img src="http://msn.foxsports.com/id/3678734_7_2.jpg" style="border:0;"/> 
 
<img src="http://www.mysanantonio.com/multimedia/slideshows/show_610/PISTONS-SPURS-G1(4).jpg" style="border:0;"/> 
 
<img src="http://www.spursinfo.com/photos/spurs/050609/050609_1.jpg" style="border:0;"/> 
<img src="http://www.spursinfo.com/photos/spurs/050609/050609_6.jpg" style="border:0;"/> 
The other man in black was there, too 
 
The usual basketball folklore of painted faces and fan gear is subdued in favor of bigger productions. Alanis Morrisette’s national anthem is simple but effective. The glitz of Will Smith’s opening number doesn’t exactly light up the crowd but it was definitely MTV quality. There was a directorial mistake here. They should have brought fans on court to surround him like at the Super Bowl shows or MTV Awards performances to make it seem like the crowd is actually participating. 
 
<img src="http://www.spursinfo.com/photos/spurs/050609/050609_34.jpg" style="border:0;"/> 
 
But none of those things can mask the fact that the previously suspected ratings nightmare has become reality. The Spurs vs. Pistons. Oh no. And after the embellished player introductions they don’t dissappiont, so to speak. This wasn’t textbook defense. This was primal. 
<img src="http://www.spursinfo.com/photos/spurs/050609/050609_32.jpg" style="border:0;"/> 
<img src="http://www.mysanantonio.com/multimedia/slideshows/show_610/PISTONS-SPURS-G1(11).jpg" style="border:0;"/> 
The antithesis of glitz. The Spurs were particularly awful. The reasons for their awfulness don’t matter to the person in Fargo, North Dakota who is sitting at home flipping through channels looking for something good to watch. I had to laugh. Then it’s 37-35 at the half. Whoa, easy there fellas. Can you slow it down a bit? But wait a minute. How many Super Bowls have actually been competitive games in the last twenty years? 
 
XXXXX - The Emergence of a Star (the making of a legend) 
 
<img src="http://msn.foxsports.com/id/3679030_7_3.jpg" style="border:0;"/> 
 
There have been countless post Game 1 articles about him everywhere with titles like You da Manu; Manu-fest Destiny; Et, tu Manu?; Lights, Camera, Manu; The Manu; A New Manu and on and on. Local San Antonio sports writer, Buck Harvey used Manu as David in the Express News. His article was about Manu as a second superstar to Tim Duncan like David Robinson previously was. But the title made me think of something else. Manu as David and the world basketball stage as Goliath or, moreover, The Big Time. 
 
Despite his and the Spurs rough start Manu took the world basketball stage and performed like a star. He’s no LeBron James or Dwayne Wade. He’s no Vlade Divac. He’s not even Johnny Damon. He's Manu Ginobili. An original. Can he do it two games in a row? 
 
<img src="http://www.spursinfo.com/photos/spurs/050609/050609_37.jpg" style="border:0;"/> 
 
Tim Duncan is in the NBA Finals for the third time in his career. If he wins his third ring he is will be catapulted into a current elite level of player that would really only include him and Shaq. If he doesn’t win it he ‘s still on his way. 
 
XO - David, Stu, Russ and the boys 
 
If an organization like the NBA chooses to have a “small market” as one of its thirty teams then its has to come to terms with the possibility that this particular team may be the best it has to offer. Coincidentally, David Stern has preached his interest in promoting the NBA game internationally and international players continue to be a bigger part of the draft. What better team to promote than the international “small market” Spurs? It’s ready made. 
 
Manu Ginobili’s fourth quarter in Game 1 gave that idea a shot in the arm. 
 
<img src="http://www.spursinfo.com/photos/spurs/050609/050609_51.jpg" style="border:0;"/> 
 
<img src="http://www.spursinfo.com/photos/spurs/050609/050609_52.jpg" style="border:0;"/> 
<img src="http://www.spursinfo.com/photos/spurs/050609/050609_58.jpg" style="border:0;"/> 
 
It’s now up to David Stern and his organization to figure out what to do next. Because an interview with Phil Jackson as part of the show is only a reminder that Stern had put all his eggs in one basket and there are none left there. That is one of the biggest reasons for the drop in ratings. 
 
There was a town hall meeting at the 2000 or 2001 All Star game. Open for discussion was the marketing problems the NBA was having in the post Michael Jordan Era . None other than Tim Duncan, as a panelist, stated that he thought there were plenty of marketable players out there. Then came the 3-peat Lakers with Shaq and Kobe. It all worked out. The two Bulls 3-peats of the ‘90’s followed the Showtime Lakers and Celtics battles. There is no reason why something can’t be marketed today and no reason it can’t be the Spurs. 
 
Figure it out, Mr. Stern. Figure it out. 
 
O - Sleeper Hit (an acquired taste) 
 
The movie that becomes a hit by word of mouth without much promotion is referred to as a “sleeper hit”. People just like it. The first three quarters of Game 1 was a sleeper. but the fourth quarter made it a sleeper hit. 
 
Game 1: A married couple next to me were genuinely discussing stats and basketball strategies. Three very attractive young women in front of me had some kind of NBA magazine they were treating as if it were Tiger Beat. Their boisterous boyfriends had to keep going to the restroom. 
 
Game 2: I was trying to get a second ticket for Game 2 for the seat right next to the one I have. It was purchased by a guy in Australia. But he couldn’t make the game after all. So he decided to give it to a friend in California who will fly in. 
 
Very different demographics. But it is very possible that the Spurs can be the sleeper hit. 
 
<img src="http://www.mysanantonio.com/multimedia/slideshows/show_610/PISTONS-SPURS-G1(13).jpg" style="border:0;"/> 
Different demographics. Holy Ginobili, you go sistah! 
 
The Spurs have an emerging likeable superstar in Manu, a legend in the making in Tim, a lightning quick Tony, and a respected championship veteran in Robert Horry. The only missing piece is marketing. 
 
OO What else you got? 
 
The Spurs have won one game. It means nothing yet. The Spurs have never repeated a championship. The Spurs are perceived as boring. Lack of respect is often used by fans when their respective teams’ accomplishments are ignored or quelled by The Big Time. That has certainly been the case with the Spurs. But respect has to be earned and force fed down The Big Time’s throat. Detroit is going to be fired up today. They will not go down easy. They can be dangerous. 
 
Go on Manu. Go on Tim. Tony. Big Shot. The world basketball stage is in San Antonio again for Game 2. Show ‘em what you got. 
 
<img src="http://www.spursinfo.com/photos/spurs/050609/050609_56.jpg" style="border:0;"/> 
 
<img src="http://www.spursinfo.com/photos/spurs/050609/050609_57.jpg" style="border:0;"/> 
 
<img src="http://www.mysanantonio.com/multimedia/slideshows/show_610/PISTONS-SPURS-G1(7).jpg" style="border:0;"/> 
 
<img src="http://www.mysanantonio.com/multimedia/slideshows/show_610/PISTONS-SPURS-G1(9).jpg" style="border:0;"/> 
 
<img src="http://www.spursinfo.com/photos/spurs/050609/050609_59.jpg" style="border:0;"/> 
 
<img src="http://www.spursinfo.com/photos/spurs/050609/050609_55.jpg" style="border:0;"/> 
 
HJM 
 
<hr /> 
 
grammar corrections <img src=http://www.sahoops.net/smilies/tongue.gif ALT=":P"> <img src="http://mars.walagata.com/w/pokerface21/timben.jpg" style="border:0;"/><img src="http://mars.walagata.com/w/pokerface21/timben.gif" style="border:0;"/> 
Edited by: <A HREF=http://p204.ezboard.com/bsanantoniospurs62937.showUserPublicProfile?gid=gamefacesa>gameFACE sa</A> at: 6/13/05 12:54 pm

ace3g · by **ace3g** on Sun Jun 12, 2005 5:47 pm

nice article gameface, and that guy with the basketball painted on his face, he is on the '03 championship dvd, he has silver and black painted all over his face and he says something like 
 
"we dont need kidd, we have our own kid in tony parker!!!" <div style="text-align:center"><img src="http://mars.walagata.com/w/ace3g/spur3s_copy.jpg"/></div> 
 
<div style="text-align:center"><blockquote>Quote:<hr>Offense Wins Games...Defense Wins Championships<hr></blockquote></div>

ManuAddicted · by **ManuAddicted** on Mon Jun 13, 2005 1:02 am

<blockquote>Quote:<hr>The only missing piece is marketing<hr></blockquote> 
 
I don't care because with this management, this staff and this players, we´re turning into a real dynasty, a decade ruled by a team who is now the most winning, not only in the NBA - in the entire world. 
We have the nucleus until 2010. And each time we add another player, the team is more powerful. We´re looking for another winner - Scola, who I expect to be succesful as what Manu did in his 1st year. 
The best offensive team couldn't stop us in Playoffs. The best defensive can't too in the Finals after 2 games. 
Don't care what marketing says. Don't care that selfish highlight players. Statistics rules. They're who fill the pages in basketball history books. And in this way, the Spurs will be another legend that will be remembered for years. 
 
<img border=0 src="http://www.sahoops.net/smilies/logo.gif" /> 
2004-2010 dynasty <img border=0 src="http://www.sahoops.net/smilies/winner.gif" /> <hr /> 
<div style="text-align:center">A man, a player, a star, a winner... who's worth every cent!  
<img src="http://www.usuarios.sion.com/vallejos/images/manu20.jpg" style="border:0;"/></div> 
<hr />

Blondie · by **Blondie** on Mon Jun 13, 2005 1:05 am

Thats AWESOME! <div style="text-align:center"><img src="http://www.sahoops.net/jackie/blondie4spursbanner.jpg" style="border:0;"/></div>

by **mstexmex** on Mon Jun 13, 2005 2:09 am

Great article and pics!!

SpursFanInAK · by **SpursFanInAK** on Mon Jun 13, 2005 5:14 am

Awesome work dude!

Melmart1 · by **Melmart1** on Mon Jun 13, 2005 12:44 pm

WHOA! Way to go, Hector! Very professional-looking job! I wish the articles on ESPN were this good... <img src="http://img194.exs.cx/img194/2226/3965751904808003ng.jpg"/>

gameFACE sa · by **gameFACE sa** on Mon Jun 13, 2005 2:09 pm

I wish I could have taken some of my own pics but i'm too lazy! <img src=http://www.sahoops.net/smilies/lol.gif ALT=":lol"> 
<blockquote>Quote:<hr>I don't care because with this management, this staff and this players, we´re turning into a real dynasty<hr></blockquote> 
ManuAddicted, I really hope the Spurs are able to win this year and then repeat. They have the nucleus to do so. And the repeats are what ultimately silence everyone else. In terms of marketing I do care what the NBA itself says but I could care less what the media says. For example Stern said he would love a Lakers vs. Lakers finals last year which he was stupid for saying and found himself backpeddling. I only care about the marketing of a team within the NBA. BTW your avatar gets me everytime! 
 
Here's a Stern quote on the Spurs out of something I picked up from a press table at yesterday's game: 
 
"……………. Our push on globality continues, and in some ways, theSpurs are sort of a United Nations team, which has demonstrated the impact of globality I think. 
 
Contrary to what has been written, we’re delighted with the two teams in The Finals. We’ve got teams that have fought their way through here against different teams with different styles of play, and it’s great to have a defending champion defending its championship on the court, and the team that has someone like a Tim Duncan, which is a player that is not only one of the best in the league but may be one of the best of all time. Sort of in a soup that’s wonderfully spiced by the likes of Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili and the likes. So welcome to The Finals and we’re delighted to be here. We look forward to a very good series." 
 
(The document refers to asapsports.com but they don't have this posted yet. I'll get the link later) 
 
 
<blockquote>Quote:<hr>He's Manu Ginobili. An original. Can he do it two games in a row?<hr></blockquote> 
Looks like the answer to that is YES! <img src=http://www.sahoops.net/smilies/pimp.gif ALT=":pimp"> 
 
Hey when it comes right down to it all I really want is to have a couple of beers and watch the Spurs kick ass! <img src="http://mars.walagata.com/w/pokerface21/timben.jpg" style="border:0;"/><img src="http://mars.walagata.com/w/pokerface21/timben.gif" style="border:0;"/>

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