Tag: San Antonio Spurs

‘The Mailman’ delivering overseas for troops on USO trip

Throughout his 19-season NBA career, it would be hard to imagine a more hated rival of Spurs Nation than Karl Malone.

Maybe it was the Malone’s celebrated elbow that knocked out David Robinson in 1998, earning him a $5,000 fine from the league. Or the way he ripped up a “Taco Cabana” promotional pinata en route to the Jazz locker room after he was ejected one time at the old Arena. But San Antonio fans never cared much for “The Mailman” or the Utah Jazz.  

But it’s a little hard to dislike him after his retirement, especially considering how .

Malone, comedian Jon Stewart, illusionist David Blaine and Admiral Mike Mullen are making a trip to visit United States troops overseas for the USO. The six-day, three-country tour has , including Kandahar Airfield, Forward Operating Base (FOB) Geronimo, FOB Delhi and Bagram Airfield, according to the Salt Lake City Deseret News.

Malone, who retired after the 2003-04 season with the Los Angeles Lakers, had some.

“We don’t do enough for our troops,” Malone said on the NBA’s official Facebook page. “I think sometimes we get the hero thing all screwed up. As an athlete, I never considered myself a hero. I just considered myself lucky to be playing.

“But these men and women of our Armed Forces, they’re the real heroes. They put their life on the line every single minute. The least I can do is to visit them and tell them thanks.”

While some athletes shunned their social responsibilities, Malone showed up unannounced after Hurricane Katrina in his home state of Louisiana with trucks and backhoes to help clean up the mess.

It’s the same with his support of the Armed Forces. Malone has real emotion for the troops overseas and doesn’t hesitate to express his appreciation.

“I have many friends and family members who have served (or are currently serving) in our nation’s Armed Forces,” Malone said in a USO press release, “and I have such a profound respect for what they do day in and day out. This USO tour is especially meaningful because of the friends I have met and I am honored to be a part of it.”

What about it Spurs Nation? Have your feelings mellowed a little towards Malone since his retirement — particularly after some of his recent good deeds?

Red-letter dates on Spurs’ schedule (circle them in pencil)

Here are some games not to miss on the Spurs’ 2011-12 schedule, lockout permitting. With the NBA labor crisis still nowhere near a resolution, we’d circle these dates in pencil, and hold off on hiring a babysitter for now.

for complete schedule.

Nov. 2 — The Spurs open the season at home against Milwaukee. The last time the Bucks visited the ATT Center, Manu Ginobili sank them with a buzzer beater.

Nov. 4 – First visit of the season from the Dallas Mavericks, who much to the chagrin of folks in San Antonio can now add “defending NBA champions” to their official title. The Spurs also face the Mavs on Jan. 29 and March 17 in  Dallas and on April 8 again at home.

Nov. 9 — First of two visits out west to take on Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers. After this, Spurs won’t face Lakers again until April, when they close the season by playing two of the final four games against their West Coast rivals.

Dec. 17 — Reigning MVP Derrick Rose and the Chicago Bulls come to San Antonio, repaying the Spurs’ visit to the Windy City on Nov. 30.

Dec. 26 – First of four revenge games against the Memphis team that knocked the Spurs from the playoffs last season in an historic 1 vs. 8 upset. This one will be at the ATT Center. Spurs also face the Grizzlies on Jan. 3 and Feb. 14 in Memphis and at home on April Fool’s Day.

Dec. 31 – Celebrate New Year’s Eve in style. Sort of. Spurs ring in 2012 by hosting the Toronto Raptors.

Jan. 11 — Ex Spurs guard George Hill will face his former team for the first time since his draft-night trade to the Pacers. This game  is in Indiana. Hill comes home to San Antonio on March 30.

Jan. 17 – Spurs vs. LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh in Miami. Enough said. Heat make their lone visit to ATT Center a few weeks later, on Feb. 1.

Feb. 6 – Spurs open nine-game rodeo road trip, beginning in Washington. Trip will also take them to Philadelphia, Toronto, Detroit, Memphis, Los Angeles (Clippers), Utah and Portland before concluding Feb. 23 in Denver.

March 7 – The only trip to the ATT Center for Amare Stoudemire, Carmelo Anthony and the reconstituted New York Knicks is part of a seven-game homestand that follows the rodeo trip. After the rodeo leaves town, the Spurs finish with 16 of their final 22 games at home.

Ex-Spur Schintzius thinks his mullet got him traded

Dwayne Schintzius was one of the original characters in the history of the Spurs franchise.

Old-school fans still remember his mullet haircut and his free-throw shooting woes during his brief one-season stint with the team. He was the Spurs’ No. 1 choice in the 1990 draft, but played only 42 games with the team before he was swapped to Sacramento after his rookie season.

Schintzius believes his mullet-style  lobster haircut he wore during his season with the team was the major reason for the trade.

It seems that then-Spurs general manager Bob Bass didn’t like the haircut and wanted his prized rookie to trim his locks. 

“He told me to cut it,” Schintzius  (hat tip Project Spurs.com). “So I got it cut and sent him the shavings in an envelope. I’m not sure he appreciated that. And then, away I went.”

Schnitzius was swapped for Antoine Carr. It began a journey that saw him play for six teams in an injury-plagued, nine-season NBA career.

Those frequent trades were something that Schnitzius told Johnson he accepted as part of being a professional athlete.

“After the first time, it wasn’t a big deal to move around,” Schintzius said. “Whoever signed my check, as long as I got paid, I was good.

“You’re always moving, finding a new place to live, new places to eat and shop, making new friends. All of the above. But you just say, ‘Oh well. It is what it is. I’m a professional athlete.’ It’s part of the deal.”

Even if his hair might have caused the first swap.