Do we have a rivalry?
by J.R. Wilco on Sep 15, 2010 6:53 PM CDT
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PrintDennis Tarwood of SBNation Arizona recently extended the staff of PtR an invitation to chime in on the topic of whether we considered the Phoenix Suns rivals or not. I was happy to oblige (as was our own Tim C.) and my two cents' worth is after the jump. Dennis' entire piece, which examines the all of Arizona's professional franchises, is here.
Which weighs more: 4 rings or none?
What do Spurs fans think of San Antonio's rivalry with the Phoenix Suns? Well, I think the first, and easiest, answer is: not much.
Until this past May, that is.
If we're having this conversation in 2009, then there's not really much to talk about. The Spurs had won four meetings in a row, including the exceptionally sweet (or bitter, depending on your allegiance) 2007 clash that included Nash's bloody nose in Game 1, Manu's bloody eye in Game 3, and then the infamous semi-benchclearing Horry hip-check in Game 4. Then came 2008's first round. By the time the dust had cleared after Game 1, Finley's three had tied it in regulation, Duncan had dropped his only 3 pointer of the season to send it to double-overtime, and Manu had levitated to drop in the game winner. From that point on, the Suns fought with each other for the rest of the series, and no one had any energy left to take on San Antonio. After that, whenever Spurs-Suns was mentioned, a definite scent of pwnage would waft through the discussion.
By late 2008, the average Suns fan was so snakebit, that Roger Mason's game winning 3 pointer in the Christmas Game caused not one, but two fans on the baseline to put their hands on their heads in defeat: one before the shot even went in, and the other who followed up his cranium clasping by launching himself to the floor in despair.
Depressing.
With this kind of dynamic in place, it's understandable that Spurs fans traveling to Phoenix for a Spurs-Suns matchup, took pleasure in wearing Spurs jerseys (especially Bowen ones) confident that they wouldn't have to eat crow on the way back to their cars.
But then came 2010's sweep. And now the all-time playoff series stands at 6-4 Spurs, which doesn't look all that dominating, and brings up some interesting facts and stats. In the last 18 years, the two teams have met in the playoffs more often than they haven't. (That seems weird, doesn't it?) None of the 10 series has ever gone to a seventh game. The only year that San Antonio didn't beat Phoenix while on their way to a title, was the strike shortened 1999 season. (Actually, that's not an interesting fact at all, but just a obvious ploy to squeeze in a mention of the Spurs' four championships. Shame on me.) Phoenix owns the only sweeps in the series; the first meeting in '92 and the most recent brooming in May. (See, I'm an equal opportunity stat picker.)
Man, nothing's more embarrassing for a team than being swept -- except maybe being nearly outscored (24-20) by Goran Dragic alone, in the fourth quarter of a must-win game 3 at home. Seriously, did he drop 20 points in just a shade over 7 minutes??? I don't even know how many question marks that's worth, so I stopped at three, but you can consider that a repeating three, if you'd like -- I know I do.
So I guess the last 4 months and 6 days haven't done much more than take the edge off the pain of those four losses. And this is where it would probably be appropriate for me to talk about how motivated Spurs fans are to seek revenge for being ousted, but with all of the changes to Phoenix's roster, including the departure of A'm'a'r'e', it just doesn't feel like the same team any more. Most Spurs fans harbor at least a grudging respect for Nash, at most an outright bromance. Grant Hill is almost universally liked, Hedo's an ex-Spur, Robin Lopez is talented if bland. Richardson, Frye, Dudley, Childress -- there's just not really all that much inspiration to get fired up over. Even Dragic, who should probably get temperatures rising at least a little bit, just seems to induce incredulity as much as anything else.
So, what does PtR think of the rivalry? Speaking for myself, I'd have to say I'm thinking that it sure is great that a new season is about to begin, so we can forget about last year's hiccup, and get back to the way things ought to be: great defense, timely baskets, and the Suns going home early. The 2011 playoffs can't get here soon enough.
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Personally I have never seen the suns as a rival as I do Dallas or LA. To me there were just tuff competition along the way.The sweep doesn’t cement it to me as a rivalry because of the up and down season we had all yr long. Though If we had been a team like in 05 or 07 and got swept then I would now consider them a rival.
In boxing and in life,there are only three things one has to remember. Hands up, chin down and keep going forward. - Mills Lane
F-bomb the Lakers. If we had a rival, it would be them.
Not the Mavs – chokers
Not the Suns – chokers X2
Not the Rockets – the age of Hakeem is over
Nor the Blazers – although their rising
Nor the Thunder – not enough history
Nor the Jazz – whose best chances are behind them
Nor the Nuggets – whose recent ascent is all they have in recent memory
No one else worth mentioning
"The A-Train deserves to be in the Basketball Hall of Fame damnit. Highest field goal percentage EVER"
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/gilmoar01.html
You are all right. Whenever the yearly Phoenix-SA playoff series starts I just switch the channel on my TV and tune in to TBS commercials. Now that is some riveting TV. Who wants to watch the Spurs whooping the Suns AGAIN? And seriously those series are always super boring and 0% competitive. They might as well not play the games.
In all seriousness, it does not matter who usually comes on top in this match up, even the regular season games are full of hype and excitement. They are typically close nail bitters full of interesting back stories and history. I cannot agree this only became a rivalry six months ago.
"If an expert says it can't be done, get another expert"
- DBG
Games against PHX are entertaining and compelling, no doubt. But a rivalry needs more than that. When one team almost always wins (Spurs won 5 of 6 postseason meetings from ‘96 to ’08) then that’s just an interesting and often recurring competition that’s dominated by one team, but I don’t think it’s a rivalry* until either team has won, and could win.
*College sports excluded.
I’m trying to rediscover verbosity. - LatinD
Western Conference championships the past dozen years:
Lakers – 7
Spurs – 4
Mavs – 1
All others – 0
So you tell me, who is our rival?
I like those numbers, and I agree about L.A., but are you saying a team can only have one rivalry?
I’m trying to rediscover verbosity. - LatinD
ok, you can have many rivals but only one arch-enemy
"The A-Train deserves to be in the Basketball Hall of Fame damnit. Highest field goal percentage EVER"
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/gilmoar01.html
by Joe deLarios on Sep 16, 2010 12:09 PM CDT up reply actions
As my fav writer at the SBN Laker blog, Dexter Fishmore, put it (as quoted in the SBN Arizona article):
“It’s hard keeping track of all the different teams who think they have a rivalry with the Lakers. In the Western Conference alone, there are 11 different franchises (all but the Hornets, Grizzlies and Wolves) whose fanbases cultivate an imagined rivalry with the purple and gold.
“From the East, they’re joined by the Celtics, Magic and now the Heat. The 76ers have faced the Lakers in the Finals four times since 1980, so they’re probably on the list. I’m sure there’s someone in Milwaukee still irked about the Lew Alcindor trade. You get the idea.
“This is what life’s like for the NBA’s flagship franchise. As Kenny Powers might say, ‘Everyone wants a piece of our sh-t.’”
And as you say Jolly just because some fans imagine their team as a rival doesn’t mean it is reciprocated.
Hey if repeating as champions were that easy even the Spurs could do it.
the Lakers
You are only young once, but you can be immature for a lifetime
by the little o on Sep 15, 2010 11:24 PM CDT up reply actions
So who would you say is the Lakers rival?
Oh Celtics no question. Mostly from the 80s and the last few years. I don’t get too worked up about the 8 titles Bill Russel won in the 50s & 60s or the 5 titles the Lakers won in Minnesota before they moved to L A.
And I would probably feel different if the Lakers & Spurs met in the playoffs more than they have.
Hey if repeating as champions were that easy even the Spurs could do it.
"The A-Train deserves to be in the Basketball Hall of Fame damnit. Highest field goal percentage EVER"
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/gilmoar01.html
by Joe deLarios on Sep 16, 2010 12:10 PM CDT up reply actions
I should have added “in a row”. I was thinking of this:
The Boston Celtics won the NBA Finals 8 years in a row during the 1958-59 to 1965-66 NBA seasons.
Though I am certainly no expert in Celtic team history.
The Lakers main rivals are the Celtics regardless if “Kobe remembers the Spurs” or not.
Hey if repeating as champions were that easy even the Spurs could do it.
It was also half a century ago with something like eight teams in the NBA – but Celtic fans sure don’t forget it.
Btw, they prefer that you use the body of the message and not the Subject line – so comments aren’t bolded.
Hey if repeating as champions were that easy even the Spurs could do it.
It was more like 8 teams in each conference as allowed to 15 each. Sorry about the bold text. I am quite new at this. And I would think any true NBA fan wouldn’t discard a teams 11 rings no matter what era. That record will never be touched so please don’t act lik it’s no big deal just because it’s the celtics and it was about 50 years ago. Russel is arguably the all time best ( I don’t agree, but one could argue) and he deserves more credit from the younger NBA fans. I’m 22 fyi
A few of those Laker titles have also been won in an age the league was…..less competitive than it is now.
The Spurs = Not your granddaddies 7th seed !
I figure Magic won 5 in the 80s & Kobe won 5 in the 2000s. Those seem “modern era” to me. The ones in Minnesota, not so much.
Hey if repeating as champions were that easy even the Spurs could do it.
Ya magic and kobe did get 5…maybe If I said he had 3 then u would have a legit reason to post that. Russel was the man. No questions. 8 straight and 11 total. Impressive in any era.Crazy how the spurs have one less title than LA and yet me have probably spent 1/10 the money. 4 rings without having to " sell out" isn’t too shabby in my book! Go spurs!!!
Seems like a low number to me but if you’re happy with it then great.
Hey if repeating as champions were that easy even the Spurs could do it.
4 in 13 years is probably one of the highest ratios of championships to seasons played in NBA history. Pretty much 1 every 3 years. Rather weak if that was supposed to be some sort of morale breaker. Surprised u guys lost in the finals at all after trading kwame for pau. If we traded oberto for Dwight Howard, we wouldn’t have lost to the 08 celtics.
4 in 13 years is probably one of the highest ratios of championships
I’m no math wiz but isn’t it 4 between 2007 & 1999? So let’s see, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999 seems like 9 seasons to me. And 9 divided by 4 = 2.25 years between. If you’re happy with it then great. Can’t imagine any team doing better than that.
Hey if repeating as champions were that easy even the Spurs could do it.
Take a look back when I said the Kobe/Duncan era. Thus i was referring to tims 4 vs kobes 5. Duncan came in the league 97-98. Considering 97 doesn’t count, it’s actually only 12 seasons. Certainly not 9 haha. And 12 divided by 4 is 33.3% my friend. One out of every 3 years in tim duncans career he has won a title. Kobe only has about 5% better at 38.4 % and he had shaq for 3 of those titles!! So do us all a favor and step down from ur high horse, and give the spurs some props for once. For all we know after this season Timmy and Kobe will both have 5!!! Go Timmy D!!!!
P.S- one thing that Duncan has over Kobe is never losing in the finals. Kobe did it twice.Jordan never lost in the finals. And neither did russel. Even in the 69 finals when the heavily favored lakers with Baylor, chamberlain, west, and I believe Gail goodrich were at home in game 7 at the forum and lost to the " too old" celtics. Never count out a team like the spurs. We believe!!!
Yawn, I repeat
. . . if you’re happy with it then great.
Hey if repeating as champions were that easy even the Spurs could do it.
Ya…I assumed exhaling would be the high point of your retort. I mean who pays attention to facts and stats anyways right? Go spurs!!!
BatManu, give up, olf has just not been the same since the Lakers won again this year. Not only can he not admit when the Spurs deserve kudos, his arrogance is starting to rival you know who.
Timmy D .... enough said.
Well he sure does seems like the stereo-typical biased laker fan. Why can’t everyone be as classy as spurs fans?! :)
Gail Goodrich had gone to Phoenix in the expansion draft that year, and then came back to the Lakers in the 70-71 season.
i'll take makin the Finals over losing in the first round any day
or the second round. I love the Spurs, they IMO, are the only true rival the Lakers have in the WC because they are the only other ones that know how to build a championship roster.
The point is, you can’t just let it fucking go or give the Lakers credit can you? Give me 7 finals appearances and 5 titles over 4 appearances and 4 titles any day. And he’s my very best favorite stat. Since Phil Jackson became a head coach…
19 years experience
13 NBA Finals
11 NBA Titles
In LA, it’s 10 years experience, 7 NBA Finals, 5 titles.
And this in an era where there’s so many teams it’s very difficult to acquire a 2nd and/or 3rd all-star to combine with your own superstar (every team has one). Russell played in an era w/o a salary cap, free agency, and less teams, therefor easier to have a stacked team.
TOP THAT.
I believe the point is that this is a Spurs blog. While we are polite to guests from other blogs,(some blogs aren’t) some come here only to boast about their team or to put the Spurs down. I believe BatManu was trying to get olf to admit the Spurs deserve a few kudos as well. Not going to happen, been tried before. But BatManu is fairly new and didn’t know that. Think it was that more than not giving the Lakers any credit.
If that doesn’t explain things maybe this will. If you are looking for us to marvel about the Lakers, not going to happen here. On the other hand, I promise not to go to your blog and ask the fans there to marvel about the Spurs. LA is the team to beat right now. Okay. You weren’t a few years back. Okay. Spurs have won a few Championships as well. And since this is a Spurs blog we like to talk about it here. And we like to rag on the Lakers, Mavs and a few other teams here as well. And we should feel free to do just that on our blog.
Timmy D .... enough said.
by Ms. Smith on Sep 21, 2010 2:31 PM CDT up reply actions 3 recs
Well put… and rec’d.
Hey, if posting a sharp, insightful, yet non-sarcastic comment were that easy, even olf would do it.
by freshtunarightofftheboat on Sep 21, 2010 2:40 PM CDT up reply actions
I'm fully aware of what blog this is
This was my first SBNation blog, and is still my favorite. Don’t lecture me like I’m your child, because it might be vice versa.
If you don’t like fans backing opposing teams on your site, then don’t bring them up and bash them. This site, like all SBNation sites, is free to the public. The public is not 100% Spurs fans, and therefor, does not have to share your opinion about the Spurs or any other team.
I’m not attacking other posters here on PTR about their views of the Lakers versus the Spurs, just BattManu, who seems fairly new to the process of critically analyzing a team and recognizing matchup situations. I’ve been more or less lampooning is lack of knowledge throughout this comment thread.
Dude, I’d didn’t have a problem with most of your post that Ms. Smith was replying to, even though it seemed to me that you were lecturing BatManu like a child (hmmm, pot… kettle…. black?)… but you added a gratuitous “TOP THAT” at the end, which I don’t feel was polite, made me grind my teeth a bit and is why I rec’d her post.
Yes, you are entitled to express your opinions and this is a public site… but freedom of expression does not mean freedom from others expressing their opinions about your opinions.
Hey, if posting a sharp, insightful, yet non-sarcastic comment were that easy, even olf would do it.
by freshtunarightofftheboat on Sep 23, 2010 1:26 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
and yes, I am aware of your compliments about the Spurs. Thank you. That is polite of you.
Hey, if posting a sharp, insightful, yet non-sarcastic comment were that easy, even olf would do it.
by freshtunarightofftheboat on Sep 23, 2010 1:26 PM CDT up reply actions
Oh you’re funny!! Such outrage!
Wasn’t lecturing you, maybe you took it that way because you needed to. Vice versa, really doubt that, you’d have to be older than dirt.
Honestly, most of us don’t bring up the Lakers, we have olf to do that, so excuse us if we reply in kind.
Do I even get any credit for saying the Lakers are the team to beat right now?? That being said, I can’t stand them, think they have no class at all, horrible sportsmanship, yada yada. BUT I have felt that way about them since becoming a BB fan. Winning season, losing season made no difference to me, can’t stand them. And if you don’t like me saying so, sorry. AND I think Phil is a jerk too. Don’t care about his stats. Good for him, still doesn’t make him a decent person. I do however like Magic. See, some people just like to be a fan and be passionate about the game with out the stats or matchups or anything else. I could watch Manu play all day and not care how many points he scored but just be amazed at how he scores or steals the ball, etc.
These are just my opinions, I am entitled to them, just like you are entitled to yours. Doesn’t make either of us right or wrong.
Timmy D .... enough said.
Not to mention u practically getting swept by the pistons in 04 after trying yet again to buy ur way into another championship. In case u forgot the spurs beat that same team next year :) ye ye
Man dredging up 2004, you must have majored in frickin’ history or something. And you seem to be trying to make me feel bad. Don’t bother, I’ll have a tear running down my cheek when we hoist another banner the first game of the season.
Hey if repeating as champions were that easy even the Spurs could do it.
True. The league was different. But being in the wilt chamberlain era has got to count for something. Would u say 11 rings then would be = to say…5-7 rings today?
I dont know what to say to that.
And I really dont like saying something to suggest the teams of yester-year may have been somewhat inferior….
but the fact of the matter is, no team will EVER EVER EVER win 8 straight titles again. The league is too competitive…
The Spurs = Not your granddaddies 7th seed !
Hah I was wondering how long we’d have to wait for the olf.
That’s really the kind of thing that guy writes? I thought the ESPN Dallas blog was bad… this has gotta be the new example for smarmy, self-congratulatory dreck that always comes out of big media markets… the Lakers truly are the Yankees of the NBA in this regard.
As for rivals, the Mavs or Nobody would be my pick. The only criteria I use is drama: how good the stories and series have been. The Spurs and Lakers are always missing each other – either dodging the other team or one team is on the way up while the other is going down. I can remember two great LA-Spurs series, which isn’t enough.
Mavs and Spurs have had competitive and watchable series, and there’s a compelling story in the middle – Duncan denying Nowitski a chance to play in the finals almost every year. Even the ultimately meaningless playoff encounters (like ‘10) were more evenly matched than the average LA-Spurs series. So I’d give it to Dallas, even if it’s a little one-sided.
I thought the ESPN Dallas blog was bad… this has gotta be the new example for smarmy, self-congratulatory dreck . . .
Whoa! Easy there Mr Burger. I thought Jolly did his usual quality job on this fanpost.
Hey if repeating as champions were that easy even the Spurs could do it.
Well played, olf.
I love the old intentionally-misunderstanding-someone-for-comedic-effect ruse. It’s one of my faves and works well as long as it’s not overdone.
I’m trying to rediscover verbosity. - LatinD
I like your logic on this, greyberger. Nearly every Spurs-Mavs matchup is intense, and the fact they share the state (and a highway) only makes the whole thing better because the two fanbases often live side-by-side.
I’m trying to rediscover verbosity. - LatinD
Yes, I dislike the Lakers, but most non-Laker fans dislike the Lakers (the same could be said of the Celtics). The Mavs are the main rivals, although after this last year’s playoffs, I can see why some would consider the Suns a secondary rivalry.
With all due respect, gentlemen, we're not as crazy as she is.
Hard for me to say this is a rivalry. Even though we got swept in the playoffs it doesn’t mean a rivalry was born. I think the Suns and their fans are just really happy to finally get past the Spurs in the playoffs so they have that to feel good about. Great, they beat us. Well done. Now we just move on with our lives. The Suns are definitely a fun team to play and the games are always exciting, but I’m not quite ready to call this one a rivalry.
"I've got Tim (Duncan) and you don't. That's the difference." -Gregg Popovich
I think, to have a rivalry you should fight for the top prize. It means now that you should be able to challenge the Lakers. Neither us, nor Phoenix is strong enough to have a rivalry. You cannot have a rivalry if the only prize is who will be squarely beaten by the Lakers in western semifinals/finals. Do the Warriors have a rivalry with Memphis? Not really, they are just not good enough for these kind of things. You can only have a rivalry when you can smell the trophy.
"We lost so many games that we shouldn't have lost," - Ginobili, May 2010
I didn’t know we were playing for Kobe’s “respect” now. I personally cannot care less about his “respect”, I just want our team to kick his tail and make him cry like a little baby. Unfortunately, it doesn’t look likely. We branded ourselves as a playoff team, still two series out of the three we played in last two years were pretty embarrassing. We always bragged about our D, but for some reason we didn’t play any D against Phoenix. Whatever we did in the offseason, I’d like to see the team doing something good during the season and especially in the postseason before I am ready to claim that the Spurs are any match for the Lakers. Last two seasons we were nowhere close to be challenging the Lakers. Whether we can turn around that this season is still to be seen.
We were supposed to challenge last year. We were not expected to be the 7th seed and got swept by the Suns.
"We lost so many games that we shouldn't have lost," - Ginobili, May 2010
I disagree to a certain extent here Krondor. To me, the NBA playoffs are all about match ups. I mean, how happy were we not to have to play the Mavs when they finished with the best record, big ups to the warriors for that one. I think we are a bit of a bogey team for the Shaq-less Lakers.
"Are you gunna bite all day little doggie, or are you gunna bite?"
by Joseph Parkes on Sep 22, 2010 12:15 AM CDT up reply actions
My bad. Sorry Kondor.
"Are you gunna bite all day little doggie, or are you gunna bite?"
by Joseph Parkes on Sep 22, 2010 12:33 AM CDT up reply actions
Match ups are important for sure, Joseph. But I don’t know, how bad of a match up we would have been for the Lakers last year. They played an excellent defense, were very strong inside and had Kobe for an extra punch. I don’t think we had a championship caliber team last season. Hopefully, this season will be better.
"We lost so many games that we shouldn't have lost," - Ginobili, May 2010
Suns, Mavs, Lakers. All three are worthy challenges. Rivalry in my opinion boils down to a mixture of shared hatred and respect. I consider all three teams to be our rivals. And since we have never lost in the finals, the eastern conference doesn’t exist.
In the west, we are the Lakers biggest challenge year in, year out. But I wouldn’t have thought we were enough of a challenge since the Gasol trade to have even been in their rear-view mirror. The Lakers lately have been looking towards their finals counterparts.
As olf quoted, and I agree, most teams do think they have a rivalry with them. It does have to be reciprocated though. And depending on the fan, the Spurs i imagine more often than not would be considered a laker rival.
Then again the lakers greatest rival for the last 5 years has been LeBron James since he has stollen so much media spotlight from Kobe, the fans feel slighted.
"Are you gunna bite all day little doggie, or are you gunna bite?"
I agree with Joseph Parkes.
Rivalry comes down to how you feel. Me personally, whenever a Spurs-Suns game was coming up, I was looking forward to it. Because of all the battles we’ve had. Doesn’t matter if we mostly beat them or not. It’s about feelings.
"Age ain't nothing but a number!" - Reggie Miller after a Dice block
It’s about feelings.
Bakkie, I must admit that by this evaluation, it’s a rivalry for me. Case in point: in the last 10 years, the series I was most worried about, was the 2007 Western Conference Semi’s against the Suns. Before it began, I just didn’t know how we could beat them, and I was seriously nervous before every game.
No other team has made me feel that way in recent memory.
I’m trying to rediscover verbosity. - LatinD
I would rank them Lakers, Mavericks, Suns, because that’s the order I hate those teams in. Lakers for competitive reason, Mavs because I hate Mark Cuban and they’ve pulled the odd upset, and Suns, I actually have a hard time mustering much hate, except I can’t stand their whining fan base and how every one fawns over little Stevie Nash and how it’s not fair that he gets beat up by the mean ol’ Spurs. So I don’t hate them the way I hate the Lakers and Mavs, but I do still enjoy beating them like a drum. I suspect Lakers fans probably feel about the Spurs about the way Spurs fans feel about the Suns. Which of course makes them even more infuriating and worthy of my hatred.
GO SPURS GO!
Even after last season’s sweepage, I just can’t conjure up the hate for the Suns just yet. Especially after the ‘08 Christmas dagger and the Duncan 3, I couldn’t help but feel something alarmingly close to pity for the franchise that’s worked so hard and kept getting their sunny hearts broken in such ruthless ways. Honestly, the sweep was a bit of a relief—maybe now the Suns fanbase can attempt to move on since they’ve finally got the ol Spurs monkey off their back.
My hate is usually reserved for the Mavs. The geographic positioning is key. Of the 3 fanbases in the Great State of Texas, the Mavs’ fans are often the most obnoxious despite their lack of accomplishments. Can’t help but take a certain amount of satisfaction every time SA takes ’em out.
When it comes to the playoffs, though—it just doesn’t get any better for me personally than Spurs-Lakers.
"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
I agree with most of the points here, except of course about the “whiny Suns fanbase,” but I digress.
Prior to last year, it was a little embarassing when I heard my fellow Suns fans refer to a rivalry with the Spurs. Rivalry? Yeah, like a rivalry between a tree limb and a woodchipper, right?
Now, our hatred of the Lakers grew so much after last year’s WCF that we’ve almost forgotten all about our former tormenters. It was a very clean series between the Suns and Spurs. No one whined (not even Amare), no cheap shots, no screwjobs. I have to say that now that the Suns have finally put one on the Spurs, it still doesn’t feel like a rivalry. We’ll see what the next chapter beholds.
Oh, and memo to Dexter and the other Lakers fans – it’s purple and YELLOW. Not gold, YELLOW. I know that gold sounds cooler, but once more, it’s Y-E-L-L-O-W.
Thanks PtRers, and happy hunting.
"We didn’t go for coffee and this kind of stuff."
-El Dragon on his relationship with Sasha Vujacic
Oh, and memo to Dexter and the other Lakers fans – it’s purple and YELLOW. Not gold, YELLOW. I know that gold sounds cooler, but once more, it’s Y-E-L-L-O-W.
STFU Suns fan, bite me Suns fan ah hell call it whatever you want but don’t tell us what to call it please. Enjoy the lottery.
Hey if repeating as champions were that easy even the Spurs could do it.
Oh absolutely not, just agreeing with our Suns fan that it does indeed look yellow, not gold.
And I’m playing nice today.
Timmy D .... enough said.
It was a joke, not a counter. “Good luck in the lottery” was a counter.
All quibbles aside though, now that I’m not blinded with frustration I’m actually able to view the Spurs objectively, and I’m curious to see what Duncan can do alongside Splitter. I think that all the chatter about the Spurs being old and done or whatever is foolish.
Looking forward to seeing what the next chapter of the Spurs v Suns “rivalry” will behold. Damn I hate summer.
"We didn’t go for coffee and this kind of stuff."
-El Dragon on his relationship with Sasha Vujacic
by RMason on Sep 16, 2010 9:19 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
it's actually not purple
It’s called FORUM BLUE AND GOLD
don’t tell us what our colors are. Lest I start calling the Spurs colors Gray, Night, and Old Person White.
Hmmm… it’s true that pure 24K gold has a luster that is quite unlike any color on the Lakers’ jersey (or for that matter, any jersey I’ve seen). But as far as I’m concerned olf can call his colors whatever he wants… after all, he hasn’t quibbled about our using the term “Silver and Black.” :)
And personally, I like the color of silver over that of gold, even 24K gold. Pairing silver with black makes it that much better… my favorite character in Zelazny’s Amber series wore those colors. Very stylish.
Hey, if posting a sharp, insightful, yet non-sarcastic comment were that easy, even olf would do it.
by freshtunarightofftheboat on Sep 21, 2010 2:22 PM CDT up reply actions
I knew that, but wasn’t going to bother pointing it out. So it’s blue and gold. Sorry, looks purple and yellow to me. You can call the Spurs colors anything you want, I don’t care. I’m not going to lie just to make you feel better, I see purple and yellow. Now you can call ‘em what you want to, just can’t tell me what to call them.
Timmy D .... enough said.
Ms. Smith, I didn’t understand your post until I realized that it’s in reply to tandur’s post, directly above mine. :)
For a moment there, I thought maybe you had a problem with me….
Hey, if posting a sharp, insightful, yet non-sarcastic comment were that easy, even olf would do it.
by freshtunarightofftheboat on Sep 23, 2010 1:29 PM CDT up reply actions
Yep, sometimes even when you hit reply it doesn’t end up in the right spot. I think I got side tracked and hit post after you did.
Nope, seems you and I agree on a lot of things, that might be scary to you !!!
Timmy D .... enough said.
seems you and I agree on a lot of things, that might be scary to you !!!
Nope. GOOMTA.
Hey, if posting a sharp, insightful, yet non-sarcastic comment were that easy, even olf would do it.
by freshtunarightofftheboat on Sep 23, 2010 4:11 PM CDT up reply actions
For anybody thinking of rivalry, I would recommend watching again the 4th quarter of Game 3 (it’s painful, I know). Dragic started to make his shots and the Spurs were almost like “thank you, Goran, now we can start our summer earlier and avoid being beaten by the Lakers”. It is amazing, how easily the Spurs took the defeat. Same for Game 4 – no pride, no fight, just some imitation of a contest. That series had a preseason intensity level. Now, Boston-Lakers has been a rivalry recently, those guys seem to honestly dislike each other.
"We lost so many games that we shouldn't have lost," - Ginobili, May 2010
In the days before we got lucky and drafted Duncan, I’d have said that our biggest rivals were Houston… they seemed to be blocking our way to the Finals every year.
Hey, if posting a sharp, insightful, yet non-sarcastic comment were that easy, even olf would do it.
by freshtunarightofftheboat on Sep 17, 2010 6:00 AM CDT reply actions
I don’t know if there is a rivalry but it sure was sweet to sweep the spurs…especially after they just upset dallas.
olf….I see you on PtR more then on SSR?
it will be fun reading all the “wait I thought these guys were supposed to suck this year” post. one thing we can all agree on is if you’re blogging about bball during sept, then YOU CAN"T WAIT for the season to start.
"I’ve been in the league 14 years and I don’t think I’ve been called for a carry yet. It’s news to me," "I’ve never heard anyone complain about me carrying the ball. The best coach in the league Gregg Popovich didn’t have a problem with it last week."
What can I say? Somebody has to keep these Spur lovers in line.
Hey if repeating as champions were that easy even the Spurs could do it.
you like it here…..com’n you can admit it. some times even laker fans get tired of talking about kobe…well maybe some laker fans, I think Dex is fine talking about kobe all day.
"I’ve been in the league 14 years and I don’t think I’ve been called for a carry yet. It’s news to me," "I’ve never heard anyone complain about me carrying the ball. The best coach in the league Gregg Popovich didn’t have a problem with it last week."
I think Dex is fine talking about kobe all day.
That means a lot coming from a guy whose login is 2NASHTY.
Hey if repeating as champions were that easy even the Spurs could do it.
i know right…i told him the same thing once, i think i actually said somthing like “dex your kobe man crush is impressive, and thats coming from a guy whose login name is 2NASHTY” then I changed my avetar to have kobe in it in tribute to dex’s kobe man crush.
"I’ve been in the league 14 years and I don’t think I’ve been called for a carry yet. It’s news to me," "I’ve never heard anyone complain about me carrying the ball. The best coach in the league Gregg Popovich didn’t have a problem with it last week."
Hey you two, let’s get back to talking about the Spurs! Oh and the Suns, that’s what this particular thread is about, sorry olf…can’t always be about your Lakers.
See what a classy blog this is, folks come here from other blogs to enjoy each others company….
Timmy D .... enough said.
this is a very classy blog and the people here are great host, almost makes not want to hate the spurs……..
almost…..
"I’ve been in the league 14 years and I don’t think I’ve been called for a carry yet. It’s news to me," "I’ve never heard anyone complain about me carrying the ball. The best coach in the league Gregg Popovich didn’t have a problem with it last week."
almost…..
Is that the way you feel? PtR’s not classy enough for you to pause your Spurs hate? But we almost are? Well fine!!!
Why don’t you go back to BSotS and gripe some more about how Horry’s hipcheck robbed you of a championship? We didn’t ask you to come here with your, “I’m such a nice Suns fan” attitude, gain our trust, and then stab us in the back like this.
And don’t think we’ll be missing you when you’re gone … because we won’t.
Not one little bit.
…
2NASHTY?
I’m trying to rediscover verbosity. - LatinD
just for that I'm posting in the title block...the hip check, ouch. now I have sad face.
I thought this was funny go to min 1:42
"I’ve been in the league 14 years and I don’t think I’ve been called for a carry yet. It’s news to me," "I’ve never heard anyone complain about me carrying the ball. The best coach in the league Gregg Popovich didn’t have a problem with it last week."
Hey I thought we were over the Hip check since Nash admitted he sold it in some interview recently.
Timmy D .... enough said.
around 1 min 42 sec
"I’ve been in the league 14 years and I don’t think I’ve been called for a carry yet. It’s news to me," "I’ve never heard anyone complain about me carrying the ball. The best coach in the league Gregg Popovich didn’t have a problem with it last week."
Well yeah, no one is saying Horry didn’t knock him out of bounds. Just saying the reaction to it got way out of control. If Nash would’ve jumped back up right away, maybe your guys wouldn’t have reacted the way they did. I for one wish it had never happened, and don’t think Horry meant to take him out like that. He has even said it wasn’t his intention. Even tho Horry had been our go to bad guy, had not seen him being intentionally dirty. Don’t think Pop would tolerate that.
Crap, I’m in a Hip check discussion with a Suns fan. Never mind, just forget everything I wrote, it won’t matter anyway.
Timmy D .... enough said.
whats a Hip check and who is Horry?
"I’ve been in the league 14 years and I don’t think I’ve been called for a carry yet. It’s news to me," "I’ve never heard anyone complain about me carrying the ball. The best coach in the league Gregg Popovich didn’t have a problem with it last week."
Wow, a reasonable Suns Fan, that makes three I know. Okay I won’t bring up Horry or the Hip check again and promise to never mention Duncan hitting that 3 pt.
You know I think that actually cost me a position that I really wanted, company is based in Phoenix and I make the mistake of asking if they were BB fans. Guy says yeah as a matter of fact I was at the game when Duncan hit that 3 pt shot, probably his first ever….
Timmy D .... enough said.
there is no such thing as reasonable fans…I just realize there is no point in discussing whats his face doing that one thing and some dude getting suspended and what could’ve happened if nash and co faced the cav…..never mind.
Duncan wheeling off that three is forever burned in my memory. spurs fans may not think the suns are rivals but thats just one of the many WTF moments the spurs have handed the suns. Kobe going super nova on us, ok, he’s kobe he does that. timmy draining a buzzer beating three..?!???!
"I’ve been in the league 14 years and I don’t think I’ve been called for a carry yet. It’s news to me," "I’ve never heard anyone complain about me carrying the ball. The best coach in the league Gregg Popovich didn’t have a problem with it last week."
I do love the slow motion replay. It’s obvious soccer was Nash’s sport.
"Are you gunna bite all day little doggie, or are you gunna bite?"
by Joseph Parkes on Sep 17, 2010 9:08 PM CDT up reply actions
i’m still convinced Horry was just trying to take a charge. :)
Rim Rockin' Red Rocket -silverandblack_davis
by SpursfanSteve on Sep 18, 2010 10:30 AM CDT up reply actions
I never thought of it that way…poor horry he was just try’n to give nash a congratulatory chest bump
"I’ve been in the league 14 years and I don’t think I’ve been called for a carry yet. It’s news to me," "I’ve never heard anyone complain about me carrying the ball. The best coach in the league Gregg Popovich didn’t have a problem with it last week."
honestly, if Horry had flopped (something he was particularly good at) i think we’d all remember the whole thing differently.
Rim Rockin' Red Rocket -silverandblack_davis
by SpursfanSteve on Sep 19, 2010 5:29 AM CDT up reply actions
Horry was trying to cut him off at the sideline and possibly take a charge. But he misjudged Nash’s speed and realized at the last instant he wasn’t going to get into position in time. Did he realize this too late or did he simply choose not to matador out of Nash’s path? Even Robert may not know the answer to that one.
by doggydogworld on Sep 21, 2010 9:20 AM CDT up reply actions
Horry was sending a message. The game was over. The suns had won and they were trying to send a message of their own, by running up the points. Horry went out there and put a hard foul on little Nashie. Who in great football fashion, sold it. Case closed.
"Are you gunna bite all day little doggie, or are you gunna bite?"
by Joseph Parkes on Sep 22, 2010 12:11 AM CDT up reply actions
Rivals
The Suns are the Spurs rivals…….along with the Lakers, Mavs & Rockets. But only the Lakers are ‘hated’ or ‘heated’ rivals, IMO…….the other teams are rivals because of how close they are to San Antonio (Mavs & Rockets) or because of times met in the playoffs (Suns). I thought the Jazz were a rival but I guess not so much anymore since they got moved to a different division with the division realignment.
"Good things come to those who keep fighting"
I think the Mavs fit into the “hated”/“heated” rivals category. They’ve beaten us a few times, we’ve beaten them a few times, and there’s always some bad blood when they meet.
Tony apologist since 2010.
A punch to the gonads will do that for any fan base. I dislike Terry.
"Are you gunna bite all day little doggie, or are you gunna bite?"
by Joseph Parkes on Sep 19, 2010 8:29 PM CDT up reply actions
I think it’s been a rivalry from the suns perspective for quite a while. If a team ended the Spurs playoff run so frequently over the last ten years we would all consider them rivals. From the Spurs prospective I’m not sure the suns have been seen as rivals. Either way there have been some great memories for Spurs fans through the years! SCREW the lakers!!!!!!!!! I hope they all get hurt in the preseason and miss the playoffs bastards!
I don't know who the Spurs fans consider their rivals
But from a Lakers-fan perspective, the only team that ever worries me in the Western Conference is San Antonio. Other teams might push us at time, but they fall short due to various reasons, most of them immaturity. But games vs. the Spurs, the loser is going to be the one who could make technical adjustments to stop the other team’s precision offense.
For me, a sports rivalry is less about how players on one team feel about players on another, or even about how fans of one team feel about particular opposing teams. It’s more about how fans of one team “hate” fans of another, and vice-versa. Classic rivalries like the Yankees-Red Sox, Giants-Dodgers, UNC-NC State, etc. depend on this dynamic.
Now, while I might refer to the vast majority of Lakers fans in my area as ‘mindless’ (because so many of them really don’t ‘get’ the game of basketball; some don’t even pay attention unless the team is in the Finals), I don’t really “hate” them. Nor do I despise the fair-weather fans of “My Little Ponies.” Even Houston Rockets fans, whose team tormented us in the years I was in San Antonio, are OK… one of the guys at work there was a Rockets fan, and we were pretty good friends, even to the point of attending several Rockets-Spurs games together. So I’d have to say I don’t consider any teams to be ‘rivals’ in the classic sense.
As for fans of other teams ‘hating’ Spurs fans? Could any reasonable person ‘hate’ a bunch of classy fans like us? :D
Hey, if posting a sharp, insightful, yet non-sarcastic comment were that easy, even olf would do it.
by freshtunarightofftheboat on Sep 27, 2010 12:12 PM CDT reply actions
For me, a sports rivalry is … about how fans of one team "hate" fans of another, and vice-versa. Classic rivalries like the Yankees-Red Sox, Giants-Dodgers, UNC-NC State, etc. depend on this dynamic.
This is a really interesting argument. I may re-visit this later on.
Thanks, tuna.
I’m trying to rediscover verbosity. - LatinD
My pleasure, jrw… and congratz on manning the helm here! Best wishes.
Hey, if posting a sharp, insightful, yet non-sarcastic comment were that easy, even olf would do it.
by freshtunarightofftheboat on Sep 27, 2010 8:25 PM CDT up reply actions
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