Last year about this time Matt Yglesias made this observation in Slate:
America—at least in its own imagination—stands for certain things. For the idea that hard work and sound judgment bring success, and that success deserves celebration. That winners should be celebrated as long as they play by the rules. That teamwork, leadership, loyalty, and excellence all count for something. And that’s why the San Antonio Spurs, currently riding a stupendous run of 19 straight victories, are America’s favorite professional basketball team.
Except, of course, they aren’t.
I so relate to this, and I guess a couple of you do, too.
The rest of you have probably been ignoring the basketball playoffs for weeks and could not care less whether the Spurs are America's favorite or least favorite professional basketball team. [Or perhaps you have wondered why would a "spur" be a good mascot?]
Maybe you have entirely different NBA favorites. Or maybe you turn to football, soccer, or baseball to get your kicks and give your loyalties. I'm guessing that for some of you, college sports always has and always will trump those staffed by professionals.
There are also among my friends, who have already tuned me out in favor of sorting your yarn or to return to your kvetching about The Game of Thrones.
There are, however, few clubs that match the Buengers' psyche more than the Spurs. No side orders of drama, peevishness and petulance, impulsive bad behavior, or narcissistic attention seeking. Step up. Work together. Do things right. Appreciate the success of those around you. Even if it is boring (although, really, is winning ever boring?).
Tonight the Miami Heat and Indiana Pacers will decide who goes forward to face the Spurs in the Championship Series. I'm hoping for a physical clash of the Titans, where all the starters have to play more than their usual minutes and the game is not decided until the last seconds.
Davis and I have been and will continue to wear Spurs black for good luck (and most of you know Vickie in Black is a pretty rare occurrence).
I've even been sleeping in the Spurs shirt Davis silk screened for me for Christmas. He actually made one for each of us, which we wore like we were identical triplets (awkward or not) when we went to SA for a real live game.
So, tonight, Pacers and Heat. . . play hard! By Thursday the mantra will be Go Spurs Go!
He made 4. Was that 4th one for anyone in particular? Or was it for Erin?
ReplyDeleteOur family is four, so four is what he made. We have an extra one, just in case.
ReplyDeleteYour family is 4, of course - just like I will always have a father and a best friend. Yes, that is what I thought, but I just wanted to make sure. That makes me cry and smile at the same time.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely LOVE this post! As a native San Antonian - and a DIE HARD Spurs fan... I couldn't agree more! Spurs mentality is what every coach dreams of having on their team (and EVERY teacher wishes for their classroom). I could watch good, solid basketball every day of the week - but its not easy to find a Spurs game on in this neck of the woods. David set the tone with Avery & Sean... and Timmy has stepped up with Manu & Tony to make the Spurs the best franchise (and best men) in the league!
ReplyDeleteGO SPURS GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yea Tiffany! You are so right. And Go Spurs!!
ReplyDeleteBoth of our kids played AAU bball and we loved those years and miss them still. We have also been fans of the Uconn women (naturally here in CT)... but in recent years we've not paid much attention to pro ball, some of the egos involved kinda spoiled it for me. And, I think it's time they raise the net a little..
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