Allegiances, Temptation and Betrayal
by J.R. Wilco on Oct 14, 2009 11:43 PM CDT
Email
PrintI don't know quite how to say this, or what to do about it, but a new precedent has been set, and I feel like there's no going back to the way things were.
Tonight, for the first time since 2002-03, I went to the box score for a Spurs game I hadn't seen and analyzed the stats of the player I was most curious about, to see how he did. And it wasn't Manu Ginobili.
I'm so confused. I feel like I cheated on him. And it's not like I had some internal struggle and just couldn't help myself.
No.
I didn't even realize that I'd done it until after I'd already noticed the double double, checked out the shot chart, calculated the rebound rate, tsked over the negative +/- number, and wondered about the zero assists. In fact I was just thinking about how long I'd likely have to wait before I could see me some HeavyD highlights, and was about to close the browser, when I realized that I hadn't checked The Sickness' box score.
I was disoriented -- off balance. The screen went swimmy and I thought I heard a muffled sob. Off in the distance, a single wolf howled a mournful note of sorrow and regret. A murky blackness hovered before my eyes and disappeared, replaced by the glow of the monitor and ... Manu's box score. I went over it, but my heart wasn't fully in it. It seemed seems like a dream, but I know it's the truth. It happened. And I wonder if he can forgive me.
Or if I can forgive myself.
Is it over between BLOG and me? No! Never ... it can't be. -- But I don't know what happened tonight. I just know that something new has begun. There's no doubt about that.
I was already starting to make plans for when LatinD came to town. I was going to get a brand new Manu jersey and rock # 20 as I hung out with PtR'ers and had a blast watching the Spurs.
Now ... as I think about a different number, I wonder how I'll look in a 45 jersey.
If Manu hasn't been replaced as my favorite player, he's at least currently sharing that spot with ... DeJuan Blair a rookie. Whether it was just a dalliance, or something deeper; only time will tell.
71 comments
|
4 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Don’t worry he’ll take you back. Remember last season when I was drinking the “Manu’s broke” juice? I embarrassed even to bring it up. But anyway caphill told me to say a few Our Manu Who Art in Heaven’s and I was forgiven.
Just call me The Profit
I think most of us are that way right now, just because of the relative novelty of having scored such a beast in the second round. But once you see Manu finally return in all of his regular season Manutastic-ness, I think you’ll be inclined to look for his boxscore first again.
9.20.21.24.34
ACLs are like crutches. They’re only for the weaklings who can’t get along without them. -jollyrogerwilco
B.U.T. Full. Just B.U.T. Full. I think you said a lot of things that we were all thinking about. Perhaps Tim is right though and it’s just because we haven’t seen Manu back yet. He’s been gone so long, that maybe we felt his true self wouldn’t come back, so we needed another player to be infatuated over. So we were on the rebound and Blair managed to get a hold of us, oh, how totally unexpected.
"He's Manu Ginobili"
"moonshine is dangerous stuff."- HIpuks
Um … I’m almost afraid to ask but, what’s the definition of
B.U.T Full?
From under the radar to hanging in the rafters - Big50
5 in 10
oh, that’s just read beautiful, with an emphasis on the first three syllables. I guess I could’ve written it B-U-T-Full.
"He's Manu Ginobili"
"moonshine is dangerous stuff."- HIpuks
by the little o on Oct 15, 2009 4:20 PM CDT up reply actions
Good thing, coz butt-full doesn’t quite work.
"Yes, it's important that I have good numbers, and I'm well-respected as a player. But I think it's more important that I'm respected as a man." - Some Tall Guy Who Wore #50
by theonlyromeo on Oct 15, 2009 10:37 PM CDT up reply actions
BLASPHEMY
I like Blair too, I’m happy we drafted him, but c’mon!
He hasn’t played a real game yet. Not a one. And I know Pop. I don’t care if this kid gets 20 OFF REBS a game in preseason. Pop doesn’t give a shit about Off Rebs. He cares about defense.
Which Blair doesn’t really play. Sorry. Hate to be the one to point that out to you. It’s not his fault. He’s a rookie, and he’s a 6’5" power forward. Barkley didn’t play defense either.
We got Timmy and Dice, and Ginger and Ratliff. Hell, even Mahinmi. Blair will get like 12 mins a night if he’s lucky. Or he’ll start out at 18 and gradually get George Hilled/Beno Udrihed into rookie “Bolivia” as Mike Tyson would put it.
Here are the list of guys on this team who are allowed to not play defense:
1. Timmy (until April).
2. Tony (pretty much Allen Iverson in his own end at this point, but with less steals)
3. Manu (just don’t get hurt, you fragile bastard)
4. Bonner (because he can’t, you see)
5. Finley (he’s got incriminating pictures of Pop, the Coyote, and an empty bottle of Bordeaux, that was insert- well you get the idea)
You know who isn’t on that list? DeJuan Blair, that’s who. Stop pretending or wishing that things will magically be different with this rookie than with the others. As if Pop is ever capable of learning anything. As if, as if, as if.
Your hope sickens me.
And even if Blair was Blake Griffin and he was going to play 40 mins a night, for you to abandon Manu for this one-trick pony?
“Ooooh a rebound. The Spurs never had a ”http://www.sportsmemorabilia.com/files/cache/dennis-rodman-autographed-san-antonio-spurs-8×10-photo_4a11405715e1328a34d1c8aebb250d14.jpg" >guy who could rebound before!"
For shame.
Give a man a chicken and you feed him for a day. Teach him how to chicken and he'll call you crazy and question your command of the English language.
I imagine people went ga ga over Rodman at the time, too.
We’ll see about his defense.
Straight from the No-Stat Zone to your computer!
Dunkin' Cheerleaders
Does this mean you’re gonna have 45 children?
If you haven't lived with a squirrel, you haven't lived. - Bob Ross
Well, I wasn’t prepared to have 20 kids out of respect to Manu, but I do have 4 or 5 children already. So that part works out better with Blair!
Actually, it’s probably better to be completely clear on this point. I have five kids.
And we’ve already established how I feel about five.
From under the radar to hanging in the rafters - Big50
5 in 10
Nicely written, but BLASPHEMER!!!
To Aaronstampler, maybe he is a one trick pony, but he was drafted to do that one trick. From everything I’ve seen in interviews, it’s also the only thing Pop has asked him to focus on. Obviously, that is no excuse to not play defense, but he is 20 years old and learning. You have to be impressed with his 28 point performance, 19 rebound performance, 2 double-doubles in 4 games, his 2:1 assist to turnover ratio, and 2:1 steal to turnover ratio. I’m even impressed that he has kept his fouls under 2 per 20 minutes of playing time. I thought he would be fouling like crazy because of his size, either being slightly too short or a little too slow to make the clean play. He has shot at or over 50% for 3 games in a row as well after that 6 for 15 opening game. Yes, it’s preseason, but performing is always better than not.
It’s the novelty. Wait a few months.
Straight from the No-Stat Zone to your computer!
Dunkin' Cheerleaders
This is the kind of encouragement I was looking for. Although Stamp’s tough love may work too.
From under the radar to hanging in the rafters - Big50
5 in 10
At least I’m going to assume it was tough love. Either way, it was tough — no doubt about it.
From under the radar to hanging in the rafters - Big50
5 in 10
You will make it out of this a better man JRW. Manu has a way of bewitching you all over again whenever you are not honest with your own heart and soul.
"If an expert says it can't be done, get another expert"
- DBG
by LasEspuelas on Oct 15, 2009 10:14 AM CDT up reply actions
But being honest with my heart is what all of this is about!
I can’t stress this enough, LE. I checked Blair’s box score without even thinking about Manu.
If I’d had an internal struggle about whether to check Blair’s for Manu’s first, then I’d know without a doubt that I just need to be honest with my heart, as you said.
But there was no struggle and didn’t think about it until after the act was already complete. That’s why I’m in such a crisis! If only there was some organization set up to help people in my position.
From under the radar to hanging in the rafters - Big50
5 in 10
BA - Blair's Anonymous
If you feel guilty about how much you adore Blair or you have been abusing Blair love many weeks and it is starting to affect your personal life, and if your relationships are suffering due to Blair love addiction, then:
Join us for weekly meetings of Blair’s Anonymous. We will listen and support you. We will work with you to help you overcome this addiction that has affected so many Spur fans since that fateful day June.
We are here for you.
"If an expert says it can't be done, get another expert"
- DBG
I wholeheartedly empathize or agree or am on board with this. Here’s why.
Blair brings something to the table that the Spurs haven’t had. Much like Manu when he came to the Spurs. Manu brought creativity, otherworldly competitiveness (ganas grandes), and crazy hustle plays without being the focus of the team. It was all about what he could scrap out of the game without Pop running every play for him.
Blair is the same way. The Spurs pretty much don’t do anything for him to get his numbers. It’s all about what he can claw out of it. In addition, we haven’t had a natural, determined rebounder like him since the crazy man. So yeah, I’m on board with this. He may not be the key to our season, but he is the thing that is new and the thing that is interesting.
Yep, I’m saying it. Manu isn’t interesting. For all the great he can do, I only care about one thing from him now. Be healthy. Same with Tim. We know what they can do. They just need to be healthy. If they had a column in the box score for “Is Still Healthy?” then that would be the first thing I would check.
We specialize in misinformation around here. Facts and stats just get in the way.
by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Oct 15, 2009 11:59 AM CDT reply actions
You’re seriously delusional, Wayne.
I love Blair. I love his enthusiasm and the emotion with which he plays.
However, you can’t compare him to Manu. Manu creates when he’s out on the floor. He has the ability of entering a game and doing whatever is needed to turn the tides in our favor. Whether it’s a steal, taking a foul or finding the best possible scoring opportunities for himself or his team mates.
I’m glad everyone’s enthusiastic and feeling the positive vibes for Blair, I think he makes a wonderful Spur. But, you don’t forget to dance with the one that brought you.
Superman wears Manu Ginobili pajamas to bed. - CMoney
But I agree with Wayne that we already know what Manu is capable (when healthy). I’m excited about what Blair can bring to the table over the course of the season. We’ve already seen some glimpses, and that’s what’s exciting. This is also applicable to Hill. And I now realize that I might now be on the list I avoided last night. However, I’ve also always been honest about Timmeh being my favorite anyway.
My people call it "sarcasm." - Lauri
What in my comment is delusional? The only comparison I made was
It’s all about what he can claw out of it
I love me plenty of Manu.
We specialize in misinformation around here. Facts and stats just get in the way.
by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Oct 15, 2009 2:58 PM CDT up reply actions
That’s not to deny I’m delusional. So if that’s was just a non sequitur then I agree.
We specialize in misinformation around here. Facts and stats just get in the way.
by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Oct 15, 2009 3:00 PM CDT up reply actions
This is precisely what makes Manu & Blair great. They find a way to excel within the system. Same with RJ which is why it was only lately that he showed his vintage form.
TEAM IS EVERYTHING. The sum is greater than its parts. All hail! D Synergistic Spurs!
by 'DSilverlining on Oct 17, 2009 10:08 PM CDT up reply actions
I hoped that I'd never have to do this
It’s so much better to be able to trust what someone says, than to have to remind them of it. But I guess this is the point we’ve come to. I’m being honest about my feelings, questioning myself openly and asking for help, and this is how you treat me, bella.
After all we’ve been through and what you’ve said to me.
Please tell me that I don’t have to doubt us at the same time I’m doubting myself.
From under the radar to hanging in the rafters - Big50
5 in 10
You heartless bastard… stabbed with my own dagger.
Never doubt me. Never doubt Manu. Please forgive me.
Superman wears Manu Ginobili pajamas to bed. - CMoney
Might have to have an Italian Margarita (or two) to dull the pain from that self-inflicted wound.
We specialize in misinformation around here. Facts and stats just get in the way.
by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Oct 15, 2009 3:33 PM CDT up reply actions
Thanks Stephanie.
We specialize in misinformation around here. Facts and stats just get in the way.
by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Oct 15, 2009 4:32 PM CDT up reply actions
All is forgiven
What does this makes those of us who always check Timmeh’s stats first?
My people call it "sarcasm." - Lauri
My loyalties are still in tact with Duncan and Manu, but for preseason, I’m checking boxscores for guys who have things to prove like Blair, Hairston, Williams, Haislip, and Ratliff. I really don’t care what Manu, Duncan, Parker, RJ, or Dice do in preseason. If they are great, great. If they suck, it’s only preseason.
This could be it! Maybe the regular season will start and everything will go back to being normal.
Oh, that would put me at peace. Please let it be so.
From under the radar to hanging in the rafters - Big50
5 in 10
I think that you’re only gonna start to really care about Manu’s stats as the post-season approaches, or even once the post-season starts. If you’re focusing on Blair’s stats during the pre-season, you’re going to be doing so during the regular season as well, since it is more important. You’ll also want to evaluate his game to see how helpful Blair could be during the post-season. Manu is a given, and we all know what he’s capable of during the post-season, and it’s greatness. Blair is still an unknown, a very likable unknown.
Face it JRW, you’re still very much like the rest of the stupid basketball fans looking for the new best thing. Oh, how you’ve disappointed me.
"He's Manu Ginobili"
"moonshine is dangerous stuff."- HIpuks
by the little o on Oct 15, 2009 4:31 PM CDT up reply actions
Manu is God
Blair is cerberus or some hellish monster like that
But right now Blair is the “new thing”….. we are all going to be back checking manu’s stats and highlights in a matter of 2 or 3 games
"Rock and Roll angels bring that HardRock Hallelujah"
Blair is just a shiny new toy. I expect the enjoyment to wear out once opponents figure out how to limit him. But Manu… they did have a saying, “once you go Manu…”
by silverandblack_davis on Oct 15, 2009 6:12 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
If they learn how to limit him.
Straight from the No-Stat Zone to your computer!
Dunkin' Cheerleaders
How do you do that? No one double teams a guy who’s going for a rebound. It just doesn’t happen. And if he’s not forced to get shots for himself, then he’s cleaning up from other guys as they create, like Manu did in the PtR moment.
Either way, you can’t limit stuff like that.
Consider the gun jumped
5 in 10
No Confusion here, I LOVE BLAIR!
First of all, I appreciate your honesty. It takes (ganas grandes) to say what you said. Having said that, I don’t have any confusion about my love and excitement for Blair. I too checked Blair 1st and then Ian. I didn’t care so much about what Manu or Timmie did. In Fact, I had stated earlier my wishes that they don’t even play in any preseason games.
The reason I don’t have this confusion is because of something my father used to do. You see, he owned two vehicles, a big , expensive, bad ass, dependable Toyota LandCruiser, and a cheap, crappy, embarrassing Hyundai accent. My dad rarely drove the big vehicle anywhere in the city, and his reasoning was that why use a cannon to kill a mosquito. Of course he didn’t know about Confucius but he used his logic. He said why use the 4×4 in the city, and when I need to go places that only the 4×4 can go, I get stuck with the Hyundai?. So, when he finally bought a Camry instead of the Hyundai, I got to be so excited and I loved so much. Now, whenever we went to those hard to get to places we always used the dependable 4×4 and we didn’t even remember the Camry.
Championships are won by a special breed. Manu, Tim, Tony are from that breed. Hopefully Blair will be a part of that someday. But for now, be happy for your Camry :)
by SaSleepless on Oct 15, 2009 9:04 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
Great Analogy
I’ll be happy for my DeJuan “Camry” Blair. But I don’t think he’d much appreciate that as a nickname.
From under the radar to hanging in the rafters - Big50
5 in 10
lol yeah I don’t think he’s a camry, maybe more like a semi.
by SaSleepless on Oct 16, 2009 12:01 AM CDT up reply actions
that deserves the original … +1 nicely done and recc’d to the 37th pick.
Superman wears Manu Ginobili pajamas to bed. - CMoney
Y’all are so out of it. Tony’s better than Blair and Manu combined.
"Yes, it's important that I have good numbers, and I'm well-respected as a player. But I think it's more important that I'm respected as a man." - Some Tall Guy Who Wore #50
I do things in order so I just check the stats from top to bottom, but I have found myself specially interested in Hill’s stats.
I’ve also been reading on Wiki how people aren’t entirely heterosexual or homosexual, that it’s more like a spectrum.
If you haven't lived with a squirrel, you haven't lived. - Bob Ross
by Hipuks on Oct 15, 2009 10:51 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
Well in that case it all depends on who is at each end of the spectrum to see how heterosexual or homosexual I am.
Wayne Vore O————————————————————————————————-[here]—-O Scarlett Johansson
George Hill O——[here]————————————————————————————————-O Barbara Walters
Just call me The Profit
Yep, that looks about right for me.
We specialize in misinformation around here. Facts and stats just get in the way.
by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Oct 16, 2009 12:28 AM CDT up reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
FanShots
Quick hits of video, photos, quotes, chats, links and lists that you find around the web.
Recommended FanShots
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
