The Pathology of Manu Ginobili

by sungo on Feb 16, 2009 8:00 AM CST Comment 68 comments

I no longer have cable television, and my computer is fritzwonkular most of the time. I'm also wading into what is supposedly the most difficult semester of pharmacy school, so watching Spurs games will likely be the rare occurrence for me. But I still plan on writing on special occasions, namely every Monday. Because Mondays are special. And because Mondays mark the beginnings of weeks, a time often devoid of fun, hope and general good feelings.

Much like my writing. So it should be easier for you to swallow.

Every Monday, 8:00 a.m. central time, like Swiss clockwork. I'll always throw something about the Spurs in there, sprinkled amongst ramblings, muffled cries for help, and whines, gripes and curmudgeonings. And Shins' lyrics.

You've been alone since you were 21
You haven't laughed since January

There won't be many photos though. They seem to take a lot of time to find, credit, and caption. And I would always feel like I'm just ripping off FreeDarko's visual non sequiturs.

While watching the Spurs / Hornets game from the anti-bowels of the Where the Spurs Play Center, Wayne commented how much faster Tony seemed in person.

I think Wayne was right.

There was one particularly telling fast break. Sean Marks, back-pedaling at the elbow, was essentially the only guy back for the Hornets. Tony ran at him full speed, went around him and then laid the ball in on the same side of the basket. All Marks had to do was turn around, take one step and block the shot. He didn't even get turned around.

Of course Tony does this every game, against all sizes of opponent. But seeing it live and realizing the guy still seems ridiculously fast when he's 200 feet away from you... it gives you a different appreciation for his insane athletic ability, like watching a cheetah chasing down a gazelle from a helicopter. Except Tony only has two legs.

And he didn't eat Sean Marks.

But my brains can make sense of Tony's greatness. The NBA is obviously comprised of world class athletes. Even amongst them, Tony's one of the fastest end to end, and few can match his quickness. He understands how to attack individual defenders on the fast break and has the ability to finish with either hand on either side of the basket. I understand why Tony is one of the 25 best players in the NBA. It's not complicated.

But I cannot figure out why Manu Ginobili is even in the top 100, let alone the top 20.

(None of what I am about to say is new to anyone who reads this blog. There's nothing left to say about Manu that hasn't been said here before. Well. Manu Ginobili wears 6" Jimmy Choo heels to bed. That would be new. Back to it: but for the grace of Manu goes PtR.)

He's not overly quick. He's not a great leaper. He's not a great shooter. What most befuddles me is how he continually, repeatedly, over and over again, ad nauseum, get wide open step-back jumpers from 18 feet. He'll face a guy up, work some hypnotizing voodoo or some shit, and wind up taking an essentially unguarded 18' jump shot. Most of the time the defender doesn't even get a hand in his face.

It's as if Manu has learned how to imbalance his opponent, how to get him shifting the wrong way. More importantly, he seems to anticipate the vulnerability and execute his step-back as the imbalance is occurring.

He ends up with all the time in the world.

(This must drive other NBA players crazy. It's one thing for a guy like Lebron to get the best of you. That's explainable. Just look at the guy. He's a freak. Dwight Howard? Freak (plus he prays and stuff). Tim Duncan? Tall (plus he's boring so he doesn't count). Kobe? Quick as hell, amazing athlete, crazier than shit. Yao Ming? Crazy communist genetic-engineering. Chris Paul? Ridiculously quick hands and first step. Etc.)

I don't know how Manu got to be this way. Maybe it's purely instinctual. Maybe he read Book of Five Rings and it all came together in a shroom-induced fury of clearheadedness. Maybe I'll take the ~~sportswriter's~~ easy way out and credit his time playing soccer.

I wonder if even he knows the origin, the planting of the seed. I think he does. I think he guessed the ending of the The Usual Suspects and can sense magma shifting miles beneath the surface of his earth. I think he's trying to unravel the very foundational fibers of the NBA. I think he's diabolical. I think he's formed a one-manned cabal.

The evidence is there.

He'll dribble through a guy's a leg or go around his back during a layup, but only when necessary. He'll occasionally try to dunk on somebody, but only when the situation suggests it is the most prudent course of action. He'll attempt outlandish passes and impossible shot blocks; but allow me to suggest and believe he does it primarily for the same reason Einstein attempted to quantify the universe:

Because there is joy in the attempt. And because he thought he could.

He scrapes, claws, and tosses subtle elbows as he goes to the basket, yet he does it coldly, without aggression. He rarely, if ever, makes eye contact with an opponent, but it never comes off as a lack of respect. You never seeing him talking with opponents during the game. He doesn't smile on the court, but he plays like there's no other place he'd rather be. He doesn't hype his game to the media. He downplays his own abilities and emphasizes his struggles.

This is not by accident. This is part of his game. Part of his plan.

He's won a gold medal and three NBA championships, but he's lacking something so fundamental to the NBA, to sports, to competition in general.

Manu Ginobili is entirely without swagger.

He does not strut. He does not preen. He is not there to put on a show. He does not react to hard fouls. He does not react to being booed. Manu Ginobili's performance may ebb and flow, reacting to his health, or to the situation, or to the quality of defender. But from game to game, the competitiveness never changes. Ginobili doesn't need to be pushed to achieve the paramount of his abilities, and this is why he has un(?)intentionally become a mirror that reflects the inadequacies of the NBA's world class basketball players: deep down we all know that swagger comes hand in hand with insecurity. We strut not to convince competitors of our dominance; we strut to convince ourselves.

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I would usually make some smart ass comment or another, but not this time. That was a great piece of writing.

When you look like I do it's hard to get a table for one at Chuck E. Cheese- Zach Galifianakis

by Hipuks on Feb 16, 2009 8:45 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Agree!

Nice piece indeed. I dun think I have encompassed all that you are trying to say here, but I “feel” the intangible crux of the post I think :P

Though I would add, Manu, to some degree, always had a bit of contortionist ability which he uses, to his credit, in destabilizing ppl in front. Instinct is key with Manu.

by LionZion on Feb 16, 2009 2:15 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

You’re absolutely right about the game looking different in person. Here’s my favorite Manu in person story:

In 2003, the CEO of our company gave my boss tickets to a late-season Spurs vs. Timberwolves contest. We were about 15 rows up near mid-court; to give you an idea of how good these seats were, we were sitting 1 row back and a few seats over from Kevin McHale. Watching that close is like watching guys play pickup ball at a rec center, except they are all taller than six feet (in some cases, much taller) and incredibly quick. Watching on TV you don’t appreciate how fast the action is; even regular passes are thrown like 90 mph fastballs. In this game, Stephen Jackson hit a three at the buzzer to send it in to overtime, where we lost. But then that team went on to win the title, so in your face, KG.

Anyways, one of the Wolves guards (maybe Anthony Peeler) was dribbling up court on a semi-fast break. Manu Ginobili was with his man at about mid-court, when he saw the guard advancing the ball and left his man. He ran along the midcourt stripe, perpendicular to the guard dribbling, eventually crossing directly in front of the guy, and stole the ball.

The guy who was dribbling took one more phantom dribble BEFORE HE REALIZED HE DIDN’T HAVE THE BALL. It was like an Elmer Fudd “Wascally Wabbit” moment.

It’s hard to do the play justice, but let me emphasize that he stole a dribble from an NBA guard while running perpendicular to the play. PERPENDICULAR. He didn’t come up from behind and poke the ball away or anything like that. Imagine the timing necessary. Try to think about trying something like that in a pickup game and having it not end up in a major collision.

In most categories athletically, I think Manu is average or even a little below average. However, he has Jedi-like reflexes and anticipation. Just because a guy is technically faster, since he reacts more quickly, he gets a head start.

Great piece, BTW, Matthew.

by tomasito on Feb 16, 2009 8:51 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

great point tomasito. it’s no secret that Manu is athletically a notch below most NBA players but his reflexes are like none other. I never thought of it like that.

by speedostuffer on Feb 16, 2009 6:21 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

“deep down we all know that swagger comes hand in hand with insecurity. We strut not to convince competitors of our dominance; we strut to convince ourselves.”

Beautiful, hit the nail on the head

Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall. - Confucius

by raynorschiene on Feb 16, 2009 9:17 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Okay, let’s try this again: I imagine it all boils down to this: basket is a game where you have to put the ball through the hoop. If you can find more ways to do that, you’ll have more chances of being effective. (Okay, that sounded better in my head. Moving on.)

Honestly, for many years Tony seemed a bit one-dimensional in his offensive game: layup after layup, always in the way you said. Now he’s developed a reliable jumper, so it makes sense to see him score so much, but for a while I was amazed that Tony could do so much with only quickness and layups. (And there were in fact many games in years past when he was denied his penetration and withered away.) He couldn’t even dunk…

I remember the first time I really watched Manu play: he was quick. Really quick, and moved weird. I mean, it was like a permanent fast zig-zag, and then straight to the hoop for a dunk (yes, the first Manu play I remember is a dunk…). The defenders were just standing there, almost as if they hadn’t moved. Hopefully someday I’ll go back and find that play. Much like Tony, his long jumper came and went, but he seemed to have a knack to find his balance mid-air after being bumped, and he already got some wonderful dimes. He seemed like a complete player. If anyone watched that Kinder Bologna game I linked to in December, you’ll know what I mean.

Manu is deceptively strong, deceptively tall, deceptively athletic and has a style that doesn’t resemble that of most USAian players. Someone brought this up some time ago, but it’s incredible just how similar the players born and trained in the States play nowadays. Their jumper looks similar, the way they move off the ball, everything. I imagine it’s just such a professional environment that kids are coached since they’re young, and not many have the opportunity to try something new or different or crazy. For every kid that shoots like Marion, there are a hundred that copy Knee-Mac’s style. Manu is different, a lefty, has a bald spot, and is just crazy (see Stampler’s avatar). It’s so difficult to guess what he’s going to do, even for us fans watching it at home.

I’m more amazed at Tony’s success every day. He really worked his ass off to improve his game, and it shows. He plays to his strengths these days, and even though I doubt he’ll ever reach the next stage (read, Kobe/LeBron), he’s really come along.

Now that’s out of the way… Holy crap, what a great post, Matthew. I’m serious here, this is the post of the year. I know it’s not important because this is already in the main page and doesn’t need any extra attention, but I will rec you regardless. And whoever doesn’t rec you will turn into my sworn enemy and our families will perpetuate a blood feud for generations. Kudos to you.

Looking forward to your posts. Good luck with school.

Straight from the No-Stat Zone to your computer!

by LatinD on Feb 16, 2009 9:18 AM CST reply actions 2 recs

And whoever doesn’t rec you will turn into my sworn enemy and our families will perpetuate a blood feud for generations.

This made me laugh out loud in the Life Sciences Library.

by sungo on Feb 16, 2009 2:48 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Good Job

Great article about my favorite player. I continually annoy my friends by giving their children Manu jerseys(they are not Spurs fans.) I explain their child is not LeBron and chances are will not be as big as Shaq. But in their own little world if they play like Manu they can have success. Forget be like Mike, be like Manu. Yes Jordan played hard on both ends of the court and didn’t take a night off. But he was ridiculously atheletic.
Manu is a good athelete but that is not where his greatness lies. It is that never say die attitude that we love. And humility he reminds of my favorite football player. Earl Campbell. After a touchdown he would lay the ball on the ground or hand it to the ref.
He acted like he’d been there before.
That’s why you love the Spurs ,pure class. Phoenix showed their classlessness by booing Tim and Tony. I hope if S.A. ever hosts an allstar game that Spurs fans would show all players respect.

by Niloticus on Feb 16, 2009 10:08 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

we say that but last year in the playoff series with the Hornets, it seemed like our fans were cheering that West was hurt when he got that hard pick from Horry. I want to say we are all classy and respectful, but there are always bad apples.

I did enjoy them booing the Spurs with the skills challenge, the one with tim, Becky Hammon and D-rob. When they announced Tim they all booed and Tim just gave a hearty smile and waved, hilarious

What the Bowen giveth Horry taketh away. --LatinD (2008 Playoffs Round 2, Game 1)

the Spurs do not defeat you so much as they grind you into tiny shards of psychological wreckage.
-the Denver Post

by Hamer_SpursFan on Feb 16, 2009 12:46 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I just can’t give the Hornets respect. :P
I know I shouldn’t boo, but I still might.

by LionZion on Feb 16, 2009 2:46 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

get out of my head M.I.A.!!

awesome post, man. i wonder if the Spurs FO recognize this and how this affects their recruiting?

who are you who can summon fire without flint or tinder? there are some who call me ... tim.

by ptruser on Feb 16, 2009 11:11 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

I just wanna say one thing: looking forward for the Powell’s Monday post. Forget about the garbage time all-stars, this is the best Mondays can offer.

"It's a basic truth of the human condition that everybody lies. The only variable is about what."

by Chilai on Feb 16, 2009 12:39 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I want to add that even Manu’s dunks are unique. Most dunks are pretty similar. Give me Manu’s dunk at the hornets over any Lebron dunk.
I dont know exactly what is the thing that makes them so special, maybe its because Manu flushes it like if the world’s life depended on it. They are not made with agresiveness or fury, but with heart and passion. He is the only guy who dunks with PASSION. And then… nothing, just go to the next mission. Its only one dunk, the game continues. No time to celebrate, the villains are darting to the other side of the court.

"It's a basic truth of the human condition that everybody lies. The only variable is about what."

by Chilai on Feb 16, 2009 12:47 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I always liked the way The Admiral dunked…….like a tomahawk with class (if that’s even possible). I agree with you on Manu’s dunking, though—it’s vicious without being malicious.

"You may all go to hell, and I will go to Texas." -Davy Crockett
"Give me an army of West Point graduates, and I'll win a battle. Give me a handful of Texas Aggies, and I'll win a war." -Gen. George S. Patton

by spursfan4ever on Feb 16, 2009 4:38 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

The Heart of the Matter

Absolutely brilliant post Powell. That’s the writing that got me hooked on PtR over all others. And the attributes you note in Manu are what brought me back to watching the NBA and then, only the Spurs. What’s funny is that, to some extent, it is Manu’s lack of obvious physical gifts (although I guess being 6’6" is hardly anything to sneeze at, but by NBA standards …) that helps him to be constantly underestimated by his opponents. To me that was particularly highlighted in the spectacular block of Dwayne “Herpes” Wade’s shot a few weeks ago. Wade SAW MANU COMING, yet did not alter his move to the hoop. You just know Wade thought, “this scrawny white boy (never mind that most Latinos don’t consider themselves to be white, but that’s another discussion)? No way he can block my shot, I’m Dwayne fucking Wade, man.” And as you reference, shot blocked, Manu didn’t preen, shout, do a big cojones dance, nada. He got the fuck up and headed down court and was in place for a rebound or tip in should Mace have missed. Shit, Manu was in place before every Spur but Mace. Manu is completely into every moment on the court. He loves the game more than he loves himself. Not many athletes can say that. Look forward to your posts and good luck with pharmacy school.

by agutierrez on Feb 16, 2009 1:16 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Awesome post and Recced.....

I remember back in 2003 on the way to winning that 2nd Championship i clearly remember even to this day the series with the Lakers and the one play that gave me full confidence in that Spurs team was the Ginobili reverse slam in the playoffs (dont ask me why.. maybe coz it was so rare seeing any spur dunk even back then)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22hSsrFzmIg

by spurred on Feb 16, 2009 3:52 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

ahhhh, Memories.

That was the moment I knew Manu was going to be special. I mean, for a rookie to do that to the lakers in the playoffs was just ridiculous back then.

by Tim C. on Feb 16, 2009 11:31 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

btw…. a rec for LatinD for his blood feud quote :D

by spurred on Feb 16, 2009 3:54 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I’ve been working on my intimidating webage.

Straight from the No-Stat Zone to your computer!

by LatinD on Feb 16, 2009 6:44 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I was certainly intimidated. I fear that you might actually send people to the afterlives that you rec them to.

by tomasito on Feb 16, 2009 6:58 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Don’t make me invoke the wrath of Hades.

Straight from the No-Stat Zone to your computer!

by LatinD on Feb 16, 2009 7:09 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

(That’s like opening a can of Greek whoop-ass.)

Straight from the No-Stat Zone to your computer!

by LatinD on Feb 16, 2009 7:23 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Another +1

by spursfan4ever on Feb 16, 2009 10:51 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Unbelievable Post!

Now THAT was a post that ranks up there with the greatest works of literature I’ve ever read. Including The Scarlet Letter, A Tale of Two Cities, and anything Shakespeare deigned to pen (yes, I went there!). Nice to see a post where Tony and Manu both get props. I always used to get nervous with TP and his inconsistent shot, but he’s grown up before our eyes the last couple seasons. And your piece on Manu……wow. I gotta go read it for a 4th time (and this in the last 20 min.) Recced to hell, my friend.

by spursfan4ever on Feb 16, 2009 4:42 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Great post...

and I feel your situation with no cable and slow internet connections… my only regret regarding no cable and slow internet connections is not being able to watch the games and therefore contribute to the game threads accordingly. It does free quite a bit of time to focus on school work though…

by LasEspuelas on Feb 16, 2009 6:48 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I dont know how people here feel about torrents, some of them are available after the game is played and for very good games they are worth the wait (think beating the celtics, suns and duncan’s three pointer against phoenix last year). I always see people posting live feeds but never torrents, is there a reason for that?

by LasEspuelas on Feb 16, 2009 7:24 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

You’re kidding, right? This is piracy central. Torrents feel goooood.

And for the record, the latest game previews have a link to a torrent archive of basketball games. Check the one I’ll post tomorrow. If you have any suggestions, don’t hesitate to tell me, so I can add it.

Straight from the No-Stat Zone to your computer!

by LatinD on Feb 16, 2009 7:26 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

In that case… I found this a couple of weeks back:

DavkaBT

They have many spurs game the day after the game was played (although some of them are mysteriously missing)

by LasEspuelas on Feb 16, 2009 7:34 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Heh. Yeah, that’s the one we have in the game preview. Has been around for many years. It’s what I used before game feeds existed.

Straight from the No-Stat Zone to your computer!

by LatinD on Feb 16, 2009 7:35 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

By the way… I went back to one of your old posts and saw the onenation link…. Is that what you were referring to?

by LasEspuelas on Feb 16, 2009 7:35 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Check this one.

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by LatinD on Feb 16, 2009 7:36 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I used to add that link last year, IIRC, but it took me some time to add it to ATS’s template. It’s there for good now. And thanks for the suggestion, regardless.

Straight from the No-Stat Zone to your computer!

by LatinD on Feb 16, 2009 7:37 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Nice…. thanks LD

by LasEspuelas on Feb 16, 2009 7:40 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Nothing to thanks, LE. :)

(BTW, your nick is 100% better than that “Los Spurs” they picked for that special jersey last season.)

Straight from the No-Stat Zone to your computer!

by LatinD on Feb 16, 2009 7:43 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Im happy with it… although I had no idea that there were blogs for all sort of pro-teams affiliated with this one. Had I known I probably would have never picked it…

by LasEspuelas on Feb 16, 2009 7:48 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Can’t be worse than choosing “LatinD” when you were 15 and sticking with it out of sheer stubbornness.

Straight from the No-Stat Zone to your computer!

by LatinD on Feb 16, 2009 7:50 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I’m so glad you’re stubborn

TITLEBOT 21 READY TO PERFORM MISSION. BANK SHOT CALCULATING.
- Goathair at theblowtorch.blogspot.com

by jollyrogerwilco on Feb 17, 2009 12:36 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

BTW in Panama they say Los Espurs which is a little crazy…. ;-)

by LasEspuelas on Feb 16, 2009 7:49 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

That’s what my dad calls them. Then again, any word starting with “S” gets an extra-special Dominican “E” appended to it.

by tomasito on Feb 16, 2009 9:32 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

They call “Espurs” in all Castillian-speaking countries. “Sp” isn’t a natural-sounding pronunciation, so it’s deformed by everyone that lacks the necessary inkling of English pronunciation.

Straight from the No-Stat Zone to your computer!

by LatinD on Feb 16, 2009 9:36 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Manu doesnt say Espurs… he says Espuelas…

by LasEspuelas on Feb 16, 2009 10:08 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Eh. I meant that many try to say “Spurs” and can only say “Espurs”.

Straight from the No-Stat Zone to your computer!

by LatinD on Feb 16, 2009 10:11 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

It was my belief, from listening to many native spanish speakers speaking english, that it was unnatural for them to and put two hard consonant sounds together. Like “are stupid” comes out “are eh stupid”.

DAH-VEED, is it just the beginning syllable that is the problem? Would they say “La Espurs”? Give me some data on this.

We specialize in misinformation around here. Facts and stats just get in the way.

by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Feb 16, 2009 10:34 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Erm. Don’t know what the rule is, and didn’t quite understand your question. I don’t think it’s a pronunciation issue – it’s just that there are no words built like that in Spanish, so they end up going for what’s familiar.

It’s not a problem in the middle of a word, though, because the consonants are part of different syllables. For instance, “castillo” ("castle") has the “st” combination, but the syllables are pronounced independently (“cas”-“ti”-"llo").

¿"La Spurs"? No, dirían “Los Spurs”, porque “Spurs sounds male, and is plural. The article "los” is used in those cases. (“La” is female singular.)

If I didn’t answer your question, try explaining yourself again and I’ll answer tomorrow. Passing out now…

Straight from the No-Stat Zone to your computer!

by LatinD on Feb 16, 2009 10:43 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

You wouldn’t say “Los Espurs” on purpose, it’s just how it comes out. I would guess that there’s a muscle-memory issue at work, wherein the formation of the “s” sound followed by a consonant is very nearly always preceded by a vowel.

If “S” begins a word, it again is very nearly always followed by a vowel. For grins, I looked in my Spanish-English dictionary, and only found a couple of words that begin with “S” that are not followed by a vowel, and those words were ALL borrowed from other languages (“Smoking,” “Snob,” “Sputnik,” for example). Furthermore, if those words were to be pronounced by a native speaker, they would come out like “eh-Smoking” or “eh-Sputnik.”

It’s not that there’s a rule, per se, it’s just an accent-induced mispronunciation. I would compare it to how most English speakers can’t say the Spanish versions of “T” or “D” or “R” quite right.

Interestingly enough, when speaking Spanish, I myself would naturally insert a tiny “eh” sound before hitting an English word starting with S + a consonant, even though I would consider myself a native English speaker.

by tomasito on Feb 18, 2009 11:10 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

What tomasito said. Although people is Spain might say “Los Espurs” on purpose, because they love to mangle foreign languages.

And “smoking” was in your dictionary? Really? In the “Spanish” part? “Sputnik” just killed me.

Straight from the No-Stat Zone to your computer!
http://dunkincheerleaders.blogspot.com

by LatinD on Feb 18, 2009 11:24 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Here’s another one. “Big dummy” came out “Big uh-dummy”. So, it wasn’t just an S + consonant that I was hearing.

I completely think it is muscle memory. I was just wondering what the root of it was.

We specialize in misinformation around here. Facts and stats just get in the way.

by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Feb 20, 2009 2:48 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

"Big uh-dummy"? That one doesn’t compute. The phonetics translate well for that one.

Straight from the No-Stat Zone to your computer!
http://dunkincheerleaders.blogspot.com

by LatinD on Feb 20, 2009 5:26 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I just have to point out that UT has a surfeit of available computing solutions (free Wifi, high-speed connections, etc.). If you are not watching games, you just don’t want it bad enough ;-)

by tomasito on Feb 16, 2009 7:00 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Thats assuming you go to UT right?

by LasEspuelas on Feb 16, 2009 7:17 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

He's talking to me

I have a fast enough connection, it’s my computer that’s the problem.

by sungo on Feb 16, 2009 9:19 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Do you live on campus at UT? I applied there for grad-school but they rejected me…. chemie there is very good…

by LasEspuelas on Feb 16, 2009 10:08 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

No, I live in an apartment.

by sungo on Feb 16, 2009 10:20 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Being the bastard that I am, I must rub this in, Powell....

Sawed Off: TAMU 81, t.u. 66

WHOOP! :)

by spursfan4ever on Feb 16, 2009 10:53 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Congratulations on the win, Ag

The very fact that you guys have a term for when you beat the Horns (sawed off, etc) and Texas doesn’t just shows that for you guys, it’s a special thing to beat the team in burnt orange, and for them … well, it’s just business as usual.

But by all means, enjoy the win for all it’s worth. And as you WHOOP, please try not to feel too much like KG.

TITLEBOT 21 READY TO PERFORM MISSION. BANK SHOT CALCULATING.
- Goathair at theblowtorch.blogspot.com

by jollyrogerwilco on Feb 17, 2009 12:41 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

All other teams in the Big XII have a term for when they beat a&m, we call it “Saturday.”

"If I was the kind of guy who posted a signature line, this would be it from now on." -SiMA

by SgtinManusArmy on Feb 17, 2009 4:04 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Wow, Texas Tech has like two good years and somebody’s head swells to the size of Mike Leach.

We specialize in misinformation around here. Facts and stats just get in the way.

by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Feb 17, 2009 9:41 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Forget not my friend that Tech is only Big 12 football team to have a winning record all 13 years of the Big 12, but he does need to calm the freak down with all this leaving talk.

One man's toxic sludge is another man's popuri

by Big50 on Feb 17, 2009 12:14 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Hasn’t Tech beaten A&M like 5 out of the last 6 times or some such?

by tomasito on Feb 18, 2009 11:18 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Actually it’s 7 of the last 8. Pretty soon we’ll stop counting; it’s just so easy with their entitled attitude and all. But we don’t define “good years” as beating a&m anymore; we just fire people if it doesn’t happen.

"If I was the kind of guy who posted a signature line, this would be it from now on." -SiMA

by SgtinManusArmy on Feb 18, 2009 11:44 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

That’s pretty funny.

by tomasito on Feb 18, 2009 11:18 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Powell did his undergrad at A&M. He’s an old ag.

We specialize in misinformation around here. Facts and stats just get in the way.

by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Feb 17, 2009 9:41 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I know, that’s why I had to give him a hard time. :)

by spursfan4ever on Feb 17, 2009 4:18 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

That makes me really sad

As you know, Texas is a big-time basketball school. Waiting lists for tickets, sellouts, incredible passion… oh wait, no it’s not. I literally do not care at all that A&M beat UT in basketball.

In fact, I went to undergrad at UT, have lived in Austin almost 15 years, and am currently in graduate school getting a Master’s in engineering, and I have NEVER been to a UT basketball game. Not even one time.

I will grant that it is distressing when A&M beats UT in football, though.

by tomasito on Feb 18, 2009 11:17 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Being somewhat contrarian, yet perhaps saying the same thing, it’s possible that world-class athletes getting paid mega bucks and showered with attention might be entirely too secure with themselves. Pace G.K. Chesterton, complete self-confidence is not merely a sin; complete self-confidence is a weakness. In competition, total self-confidence blinds; individual competitive weaknesses can’t be seen. This becomes a team liability because the overly confident player will try to do more than he’s capable of, keeping his teammates from effectively contributing. As the team fails and the role players aren’t having much of an effect, the self-confident player appropriates more confidence for himself leaving none to go around.

Manu has undeniable skill, so he was going to be good. But he’s great because he’s listened to great coaching.

by Jason Roberts on Feb 17, 2009 1:01 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

To me, Manu has always been fairly simple to explain. You take a guy with Brent Barry’s body and athleticism, give him Pete Maravich’s showmanship and basketball sense, and then mix all that with Jordan’s competitiveness. The result is a unique player the likes of which the NBA has never seen before and probably won’t see again.

"Like feel or follow or fuck" she said...

by Aaronstampler on Feb 17, 2009 1:01 AM CST reply actions 0 recs