Shortly after Dan and I got back from our honeymoon and started settling into our apartment in Albuquerque, the 2003 NBA Playoffs started. We watched every game in the series, following the San Antonio Spurs, who won that year.
It's no secret that I am not a great big sports fan. But Dan and his family are rabid Spurs fans as a result of living in San Antonio. So I figured I better start finding reasons to like the Spurs. Fortunately, the only professional sport I have ever even remotely been able to watch is basketball, because it moves quickly and I understand it. This in startling contrast to football, a game whose rules I am convinced are made up as the players go. To my great surprise a few games into the 2003 series, I realized I was really enjoying watching the Spurs. So here are the top reasons you should all drop what you're doing and root for the Spurs as they face off against the Detroit Pistons in this year's Playoffs:
1) Because the Spurs are nice guys. None of them has an attitude problem or a huge ego. They don't yell at referees, they don't cuss anyone out, they don't foul people intentionally. In Detroit, on the other hand, a fight broke out in the middle of a game earlier this season during which a player smacked a fan in the head with a chair. Real classy.
2) Because Tim Duncan is the MAN. Also, whenever a team member of his does something good, Tim pats them on the head like you would do to a little kid, and you realize how enormously tall the man is.
3) Tony Parker is consistently one of People Magazine's 50 Most Beautiful People, and he has a great accent. He also makes funny faces when he plays.
4) Manu Ginobili has great hair AND is from Argentina. He's also an incredible player.
5) Potential names for children. All around, the Spurs have the best first names in the NBA: Manu, Nzar, Mohammed, Beno, Rasho. We're considering naming our first-born child Manu Wachdorf, just because the name Manu is so much fun to yell. Try it!
6) Because we are emotionally fragile. Last year when the Spurs got eliminated by the Lakers in the semi-finals we cried, and if they lose in the finals this year, I'm pretty sure Dan won't be able to get out of bed for days.
Now that I've tried to drag you down with me, I have to get back to watching Game One. I leave you with an excerpt from a column by Bill Simmons of ESPN.com Page 2. I am enjoying the playoffs immensely, but if anything is ticking me off, it's the music. Seriously, who decided to play a Phil Collins song during the playoffs and how fast can they be fired?
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/050608&num=3\
Comments (4)
As an avid sports fan of all kinds, I have found that Mississippi State sports of any kind will test anyone to their limits. During one of their last basketball games, I got pretty excited and started yelling at the TV, screaming at the coach, pleading for my favorite guy to play, sending in plays from my easy chair.... I noticed some of my neighbors stopping in front of the house wondering what was going on (my front door and windows were open). I think they thought I was mad at Tommy. I know they think I am a nut job. Only MS State fans would understand.
Posted by joanne fedrick | June 10, 2005 7:20 AM
Posted on June 10, 2005 07:20
Haley,
You forgot the most important thing as reason to root for the Spurs. They are a "Team". Most NBA teams have an ability to have 5 games of 1-on-1 going on and it drives me crazy (I'm from Indiana. There you are taught to play basketball with respect for the game, the way some feel about golf). The Spurs, as well as the Pistons, play team basketball. Wow, let me see, the only two teams in the NBA that actually play as a team, and they are playing in the finals. I don't care who wins. I grew up a Pistons fan. I loved Isiah Thomas (who went to Indiana and led them to one of their 5 championships), and it was only a few hours from where I lived. So, I am pulling for a 7 game series, with basketball being played the way it was meant to be. GO TEAM BASKETBALL!!!
Posted by Jon Kane | June 10, 2005 8:51 AM
Posted on June 10, 2005 08:51
Amen, Jon. That's one thing I like about both teams. I think this will be a really great series because they're well-matched to play each other. And it will be actually watching basketball instead of, like you said, watching the two star players on either team go up against each other. That's no fun.
Ms. Joanne, we should get you and Dan together to watch a game. When the Spurs lost in the semi-finals last year, I think our neighbors may have considered calling the police there was so much noise coming from our apartment.
Posted by Haley | June 10, 2005 9:21 AM
Posted on June 10, 2005 09:21
Hey Haley,
I get the chance to read your blog about every two weeks. I haven't been able to find an email address for Aaron or Ryan. It would be great if you could email me there address or give them my email address. I loved the pictures of Aaron's wedding. I am doing good and keeping safe. Sometimes it can get pretty exciting over here. Tell Aaron that if he needs anything to call my family and they will do it courtesy of me. Tell him it is a kinship among warriors.
Lee Sybert
Posted by Lee Sybert | June 12, 2005 4:23 PM
Posted on June 12, 2005 16:23