Tag: In the News

SI predicts strong season but no title for Spurs

Back in the day, it was one of the two most eagerly anticipated sports journalism moments at my house each week.

In that halycon area before 24-hour sports networks and message boards, a young reader was happy to get any kind of information apart from the daily sports page. In those days, we got one college football game on television each Saturday, two NFL games on Sunday and no televised NBA games at all until Christmas Day.

So it was always a big event each Friday when the Sports Illustrated arrived with the glossy pictures and flowery writing. On Saturday, the notes and boxscores that arrived each week with the Sporting News were just as keenly awaited.

But both publications still have a special meaning for me and I typically drop what I am doing to at least glance through each publication upon arrival these days. Old habits die hard for  me, even after more than 40 years.

So it was understandable Wednesday that when the Sports Illustrated arrived with its NBA previews, it would be appointment reading.

I was amazed they were able to , which leads me to believe they were ready for a long time and just awaiting the end of the lockout for release.

But whatever. It was still interesting to read what old buddy Sam Amick had to say about the Spurs heading into the season.

Here is the Sports Illustrated preview:

SAN ANTONIO SPURS:

What they’ve got: San Antonio is hoping to get one more ring out of Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker. While they looked like eventual world champs during a 57-13 start last season, their six-game upset at the hands of the Grizzlies in the first round might have marked the end of an era.

What they need: The Spurs need to figure out the fate of small forward Richard Jefferson and power forward Antonio McDyess. Even if they don’t use the amnesty provision on Jefferson (three years and $30.5 million remaining), the clause makes it easier to move him; his contract would be seen as an expiring one. McDyess hinted at retirement at the end of last season, but has not said definitely what he will do. Rookie forward Kawhi Leonard, out of San Diego State, will help but not enough to offset the loss of guard George Hill, who was traded to the Pacers in June.

Bottom line: The Spurs will win on most nights, but they won’t win it all.

Amick’s observations are cogent and his bottom line is kind of a barometer about what the national media is thinking about the Spurs.

Namely, expect a strong winning season, but don’t be surprised if we see the same kind of ending for the Spurs in the playoffs that has resulted in first-round ousters in two of the last three seasons.

Former Spur Charles Smith in nasty spat with retired players’ union

Spurs Nation will remember Charles Smith as one of the most maddening talents to ever play for the team.

Back in the days before Tim Duncan filled the paint for the Spurs, Smith was counted to provide an inside threat with David Robinson. He had averaged at least 20 points in two different seasons earlier in his career. More of the same when he arrived in San Antonio from New York in a trade involving J.R. Reid.

Instead, Smith became one of the biggest bust in franchise history, averaging 7.7 points and 3.4 rebounds in 51 career games (and 37 starts) over two seasons with the Spurs. He was let go on Jan. 6, 1998 after not playing since the end of the 1996-97 season. He never played in the NBA again.

Smith surfaced several years ago as the president of the National Basketball Retired Players Association.  But  just as suddenly as he left the Spurs, Smith was sacked last year in a palace coup orchestrated by a group of other retired players.

Peter Vescey of  the New York Post reports that NBRPA CEO Arnie D. Fielkow and president George Tinsley the estranged Smith has been contacting members regarding the possible start-up of a rival retired association. On Nov. 18, 2010, after two years on the job, Smith was furtively fired by Tinsley and a five-man board.

Board member Dan Schayes replaced Smith, though briefly. Numerous players, led by Earl Monroe, fiercely objected to how the coup was handled. Several believed that Smith’s firing was disputable and that the membership wasn’t given a vote.

Schayes was removed several months later and Fielkow assumed  the operations of the organization. But in the meantime, Smith has threatened to sue the NBRPA for his wrongful discharge.

Spurs fans from back in the day probably are wondering where that fire and determination was during Smith’s short career with the Silver and Black.

Happy Thanksgiving from Spurs Nation!

This is the day for all of us to reflect on all that we have to be thankful for.

I hope everybody will have the opportunity to spend time with friends and family to celebrate the true meaning of the holiday.

And while you’re enjoying some more stuffing or an extra piece of pie, let’s pause for few moments to think about all of the sacrifices made by the brave men and women who are serving our country to help preserve our freedom.

For all of the military personnel out there who might read these missives, I appreciate all that you do for all of us.

Enjoy the football today. And let’s hope that the spirit of the holiday inspires David Stern and Billy Hunter to make some compromises and seal a new labor deal about the time that the Baltimore-San Francisco game starts tonight.

That would make it the best Thanksgiving of all — at least  for NBA fans.