I believe. I have hope.

Well said Bella! We really need to get this pic of Tim on PTR permanently. Let’s do this.

I’m with you Bella, nice post, well done!

Recced to the Alamodome.

Look at that beautiful picture. So many years of basketball bliss!

Nice, I totally agree. I simply have 3 words for you: Go Spurs Go!

Well said Bella!

Being a fan means supporting your team – good or bad, win or lose.

Constructive criticism is always healthy, as is a critical eye towards organizational moves.

But bitching and pointing fingers and calling for heads to roll is not only often times short-sighted and simple-minded, it is really disrespectful and unwarranted. Especially for a team and organization that brought us fans the 4 banners pictured above – in only nine years time!!!

There are plenty of reasons that the Spurs may very well lose in the first round of the playoffs this year, and there are certainly no shortage of people willing to tell you exactly why in their expert opinion.

But those who are being so negative, pessimistic and just plain hating on the Spurs now , simply because the team didn’t have more success this season, just seem…I don’t know…“fair weather”-ish in a way.

To me, this is what it means to be a fan. To continue to follow, cheer, hope and pull for the victory even when the chances are miniscule at best.

Everybody has their own definition; their own way to live out being a fan. But I wouldn’t feel like a fan if the Spurs came back and I didn’t see it happen when I had the chance. It would cheapen it for me if I chose to skip Game 5 and they came back to win it and the series. I’d feel like I wasn’t a part of it — like I’d jumped on the bandwagon. I’ve been following them all year long and for years before, but I’d still feel that way. Just like I’d feel cheap if I gave up on a game with 2 minutes left and down 10 and we came back. It would be like I hadn’t really cheered for them, as though they weren’t my team. I would have missed the whole reason for being a fan, to see your team come through against the odds.

I’m not saying this is the best or only way to be a Spurs fan. But it is my way.

Thanks for posting this, Bella. I’m with you.

The blazers are in a similar situation, they worked their asses off for 54 wins, but so did your spurs, so we had to be paired up with our worst matchup, the rockets. Homecourt advantage was overrated i guess.

Now, we are down 3-1, on our heels, granted we don’t have the experience and resolve of your team, but we are a slow paced offense that leans on a one man recking crew to get the job done, sound familiar?

Good Luck I hope your team takes the Mavs to 7 games and gives y’all some hope.

Couldn’t agree more, bell. Your posts and comments are always a pleasure to read. Recced to Pop’s wine cellar.

Complete agreement. To hell with the pundits that have burried our guys for a few seasons. Let’s stand with our guys, believe and be ready to host both game 5 and game 7. Besides, it’s the Maverics.

Hey, as long as Timmy laces up his adidas, he’ll never let the Spurs say die, creaky knees or not!

Give ’em hell tonight, SA!

Can anyone get this message to our guys on the bench?? Manu perhaps? I know he has a bum ankle right now but how’s his enthusiasm? Have they lost hope?? We can argue all we want to as Spur’s fans, but really, where does that get us?? Our team??

If the Spurs have lost hope then all hope is lost. Yea, they get a lot of their fire from the fans, but what about their own teammates? I don’t know about any of you but I have seen a lot less cheering from the bench when the going gets tough. Less of the coming head to head and saying “It’s not over!! We can DO this!! Get back out there and destroy them!!”
Instead, I see them sitting back on the bench with a shocked or beaten expression. Where did the team spirit go?? That is what worries me. I have not lost hope, but, have they?

Don’t get me wrong… I will be cheering my guys on til the bitter end or radiant glory of a fifth ring.
THIS IS MY TEAM!!!! TO HELL WITH THE REST!!!!

GO SPURS GO!!!

I don’t see why there’s all this realism vs. hope animosity right now. In my view, you can have both. I still believe with all my heart that the Spurs can win this series, but have my doubts about whether they will. I always believe in this team ‘til the bitter end, but what they’ve shown so far hasn’t been SPURS basketball. Still, I know they’ve got it in them, and I hope we still get to see it this year.

Bella if you’re wrong then I don’t want to be right.

Love the optimism, girl! I will be sitting on my couch tomorrow night rooting for the Spurs, win or lose. Sure, I’d like to win, but part of the fun of being a fan is seeing both the sun shine and the rain fall (or snow, if you’re in CO). This is the time to enjoy the Spurs and their beautiful brand of basketball. And I plan on enjoying it, since I unfortunately have missed half of this series’ games.

4 wins are needed to claim a series. neither team has 4. so until that happens, its not over.

fuck you fate, and the horse you rode in on.

Instead, I’d like to issue a challenge to all the passionate, opinionated and highly intelligent participants and readers of PtR.
I was gonna write a comment but then I read the requirements, so I’ll abstain.

hell yeah peeps – lets ride!