- 27885, 130, Hess, BW-R Peterson-149-99-1102H-4, 1 stage frack, 200K lbs sand, t6/15; cum --
**************************
The Sports Page
NBA
In my adult life I have spent more years in San Antonio than any other city, thirteen I believe. My wife's family is from Los Angeles.
San Antonio has only one professional sports team among the big four sports: the Spurs. I think of San Antonio as a basketball city first and foremost. It unites the south half of the city with the north half. While living withing walking distance of SAT for over a decade, it was my impression that San Antonians had two seasons: basketball season and looking forward to basketball season.
Similarly, despite being so much else, when I think of Los Angeles, I most often think of the Lakers. Perhaps the connection with Phil Jackson who grew up in Williston, living in a house just one block from where I grew up, reinforces the connection.
So it was with fascination and interest to follow the NBA draft and free-agency trading of the past few weeks. I don't follow the NBA all that closely any more but enough to enjoy it. In today's Los Angeles Times, the sports writers look at the winners and losers. Among the five winners: San Antonio Spurs, at the top of the list, #1; and the LA Lakers, at #5.
The Spurs made the biggest splash in free agency and have put themselves back in the conversation as a major contender for the NBA crown.
They lured unrestricted free-agent All-Star power forward Lamarcus Aldridge away from Portland, giving him an $84.1 million contract. Then San Antonio won the derby for free-agent power forward David West giving him a veteran minimum deal of $1.5 million.
Equally important, the Spurs re-signed their best young player Kawhi Leonard ($95.3 million) and guard Danny Green ($45 million) and found out ageless wonders Tim Duncan, 39, and Manu Ginobili, 37, are returning to play.The Spurs players must absolutely love their coach to stick with him all these years. It really is quite amazing.
That story about signing David West for a veteran minimum of $1.5 million was shocking. Again, from The Times:
It has to be bad in Indianapolis if David West opted out of his contract, and walked away from $12.6 million, to take an $11.1 million pay cut to sign with the Spurs.
West didn't like the way the Pacers treated his friend, Hibbert. Pacers' boss Larry Bird soured on Hibbert and made it clear he wanted to move the center to another team.Hibbert was traded by the Pacers to LA Lakers a few days ago.
But getting back to David West: can you imagine anyone walking away from $12 million to take a $1.5 million salary? His agent must be going nuts. With a decision like that, maybe he needs a new agent. At least there's no state income tax in San Antonio, and the weather is a whole lot nicer.
And back to the Spurs: Duncan and Ginobili staying on for another season. The arena is always sold out in San Antonio, but with Duncan and Ginobili coming back that is simply incredible for the fans.
*********************************
If You Look Hard Enough, You Might See The Staples Center
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.