The new NBA season has just started and already the same stories we were hearing last season have been regurgitated, recycled and re-debated by basketball pundits, so called experts, and stuffed neckties all across the print and electronic media.
Kobe Bryant wants out of LA, or to be more precise, he wants out of a Laker uniform. What else is new? The Bulls were interested, until Bryant put a stop to the deal when he found out Luol Deng would be offered as part of the deal, and not be there in Chicago to play along side Kobe. Please, Dr. Buss, trade Kobe, so this story will become old news and Rick Bucher and Stephen A. Smith can find something else to argue about, like who will be the champs this season. One thing is a bankable wager: it will not be the San Antonio Spurs. The Spurs will not repeat for a number of reasons.
I could state the obvious and note that the Spurs have never won in even numbered years. They won in ‘99, ‘03, ‘05, and last year in ‘07, and since that means they can’t possibly win it again this year, right?
I could also sight the fact that the Spurs are a team comprised of mainly veterans and are among the oldest teams in the league, and are just too susceptible to fatigue to compete deep into the NBA postseason, which by the way, is way too long anyway.
I could even stretch things a little and mention the fact that the Spurs roster is loaded with international players from The Netherlands, France, Argentina, and The Virgin Islands, and if these players represent their home countries in world competition that would further compound the fatigue factor as those players would have essentially played non stop for a year and a half.
I have been a Spurs fan since they relocated to San Antonio from Dallas as the ABA’s Chaparrals in 1973. I’ve enjoyed all four championships and lamented through twenty win seasons, the offense only mindset of Doug Moe and the very forgettable but brief (thank all that is holy) Jerry Tarkanian era.
However, the reason the Spurs will not repeat as NBA champions this year is quite simple. The definitive, iron clad, lead pipe cinch, wager the farm reason that they won’t repeat? Because Bill Walton says they will.
Bill Walton had a playing career that commanded respect, including championships with Portland and Boston, but his analytical and prognosticating skills leave a lot to be desired. The analysis he provides during ESPN and TNT broadcasts is legendary for it’s inanity. While Hubie Brown, the former coach and NBA icon provides in-depth analysis illustrated by telestrations which actually explain the nuances of basketball at the pinnacle that is the NBA, Walton provides such startling wisdom in remarks such as “These guys are good” and “Cleveland needs to play better to beat San Antonio”. Where else could the average basketball fan find such sage commentary on a par with Walton’s? Who else could provide such astounding commentary and analysis? I could. You could. If my dog could speak English she could.
I have nothing against Bill Walton personally, I just am of the opinion that his ability as a commentator to provide true workable knowledge of the game is overrated. To me a team picked by Walton to win it all surely will not. His pick to win it all at this time last year? The Phoenix Suns, whose fans have long lamented the success of the Spurs and feel that it was at their expense. Maybe Walton’s picking of a team to win the David Stern trophy is actually a curse, that is, maybe it’s like being on the cover of the John Madden video football game. That’s it! Walton is the John Madden of the NBA.
So, there you have it, the main reason the San Antonio Spurs will not repeat, because Bill Walton has predicted they will. For the record, he predicted this on the set of the NBA Shoot Around on ESPN on Wednesday, and said they would beat the Celtics in the finals, but what does he know?
Repeating is such a difficult feat that I think anyone is fairly safe picking against any team to repeat a championship in any sport.
I thought Bill was a hippy with his head band and scraggly red beard and not nearly as classy as Alcindor back in the day. But I love his boys now and think he is hilarious to listen to.
Towelboy- Thanks for leaving a comment. The Southwest Division is probably the toughest of all in the NBA. Every team can concievably make the playoffs and compete seriously. Dallas' implosion last year leaves me thinking they're just not ready to be champions.
Your not picking the Spurs to repeat because Bill Walton has predicted they will or that they only have won in odd years? I would think you would have more of a reason then that, like they are to old or they shot their load but, because Bill Walton says they will, that's a little weak. And the mere fact that you are basing your predictions on nothing more than superstitious ideas? They brought all their players back. They still play great defense and their offense is getting better. Yeah, they're older but, they are experienced and motivated and, they brought some new players in also. Ume Udoka is playing well and, Ian Mahnmi could workout. The Spurs didn't blowup the team as usual. They have a good chance to win it all again. I know I'm optimistic that the Spurs will win back to back titles but, this is their best chance. I have faith in them. I'm a true Spurs fan.
OSL - I agree with you on the SW division and Dallas. Spurs are the favorites and Houston or Dallas could challenge. Dallas plays well against the Spurs and Houston plays well against Dallas. I believe the team left standing in the playoffs will win it all.
Last edited by Towelboy on November 3rd at 2:11 PM.
The Chaparrals? Now that brings back memories. I recall seeing them play the Carolina Cougars on a number of occasions. They had one of those typical shoot em up ABA backcourts with Glen Combs and Ron Boone.
As you know I think you mnay be wrong about the Spurs not winning this year. And you know I'm a Kobe fan and detest Buss and Laker management.
Just wanted to thank you for stopping by my blog now and then and contributiong. Not paying attention I thought you were Lioness at first. You people are nice gentle people at least on the blogs.As rough and coarse as I am, I appreciate when calmer people can see past the exterior and interact in the subject matter I'm offering. Thanks.
Dusty- Thanks for showing up here too. I was away for almost a year and have been back for a month or so. The NBA season always sparks debate and good discussions. Thanks again.
Bill Walton is good to have around because he's entertaining. He may not add much in the way of insight, but he's fun to laugh at, especially since he almost seems to be in on the joke.
I agree that the Spurs probably won't win it this year. It's funny how odd-numbered years tend to be good for the Spurs. They probably should've won the championship in 2001 too, but as we all remember, the Lakers got red-hot during the Playoffs. They also had the NBA's best record in 1995, and 1997 was the year everyone got injured and they ended up with Tim Duncan.
onesouthernlion- Hey I didn't mean to come accross like an #### with no sense of humor. I'm just very passionate about the Spurs(sometimes too passionate). The Spurs get no respect. They win 4 titles and, still no respect, now they know how Rodney Dangerfield felt. Sun's fans call the Spurs thugs and cheats. Other NBA fans call them boring because,they play old school basketball, their fundimentally sound, play great "D" and, they don't have any flashy players. Every year I hear Suns or Mavs are going to be the champs and it never happens the Suns are soft and Dirk is not a low post center, he's a oversized shooting guard. Sometimes I don't mind that the Spurs are under the radar. But when I hear they can't win back to back titles or, they only can win in odd years, I get a little pissed. The Spurs are a team of family and friends. Horry says he's never been on a team that cares about each other like them. Hell the team goes over pop's house for cookouts and parties. What other coach does that? And the players like and respect him. He treats his super star Duncan the same as every other player, no playing favorites, no egos and no criminals. They are class acts but,no respect from most NBA fans. All I hear is their boring and they're not, I don't get it. When Mike Finley went to the Spurs other players in the NBA call him and said why the Spurs? Because he knew it was his best chance for a ring and, was right. And dude I do have a sense of humor. Sometimes I take things too seriously and come accross a little stong. Sorry!
