Go Spurs Go as we say goodbye to Tony Parker

What has happened to the San Antonio Spurs?  That is the question on many fans’ minds right now.

I’m not a sports guy.  I’m not even a guy.  I’m just sharing my opinions on the current situation surrounding San Antonio’s only professional sports team.

When my husband took me to my first Spurs game he repeatedly told me “that kid is someone to watch” each time Kawhi Leonard came on the court.  “He has just started,” he would say, “but he is going to be great.”

My husband was a Leonard fan from Day 1.  He was saddened by his injury during the finals but was hopeful that youth would be on his side and he would be back last season to lead his team to a ring.  Sadly we all saw the delays in his return and started to question what was really going on behind the scenes.

I am starting to fear that Leonard’s career may be going the way of Johnny Manziel’s football career.  I don’t believe he has been into drugs and parties but watching news reports it appears he may be coming across as a demanding Diva that no one wants.  Did he let his uncle have too much control of his career and offer bad advice?  It does appear that way to those of us trying to piece together the stories online to understand the bigger picture.  Now multiple news channels are reporting that last week Kawhi threatened to sit out again this season if he doesn’t receive the trade he wants.  Why would that make me want you on my team?  You sat out last season claiming an injury and now are threatening to sit out just because of a tantrum.  If I’m another franchise I am wondering if you are still injured and not sure I want to deal with Diva like requests.

I’m ok with Leonard leaving.  What makes me sad is the possibility that another very talented individual is possibly destroying his career due to poor choices.  I hope he does get a chance to be one of the greats.

My husband had mentioned to me several times that Tony Parker might be traded this year.  I refused to listen to him.  That would be a horrible decision, I would say.  Tony is a lifelong Spur.  If they traded him I don’t know if I could still respect the team.  So when my daughter was the first to see Tony Parker was leaving the San Antonio Spurs for the Charlotte Hornets she immediately picked up the phone and called.  First she called my husband.  As I was reading his texts to me with the news and commiserating with my staff she called me.  She felt this news was too big to send by text.  This is the ripple effect this kind of news has with Spurs fan.  We feel deeply for this team.

I immediately wanted to get rid of our seats.  My husband then explained to me that Tony wasn’t traded.  He decided to leave on his own for a better opportunity.  But as a fan I question what has happened to the Spurs franchise.

As a rule I do not like professional sports.  I feel that it is far too commercialized.  Sadly college sports are as well but that is still where I invest my support.  And I am definitely not a fair weather fan as I am a diehard Aggie and therefore a diehard Aggie football fan.  Anyone who follows college football knows how painful being an Aggie fan can be. 

One reason I like the Spurs is that they have consistently seemed to rise above the drama that infects so much of the professional sports world.  You don’t read about their players being arrested.  They still exhibit an integrity and honor that is lacking throughout so much of any sports these days.  Look at how humble David Robinson and Tim Duncan are after incredible careers and the good they are continuing to do throughout the community.  I think this is why all of these changes are so painful for long time Spurs fans.  We don’t know how to deal with a drama like this Leonard story.

I feel that some of this started when Pop turned to politics.  It felt that he took his eye off the ball and things seemed to change with the team.  They lacked leadership on the court for a while.  Tim was gone, Pop’s attention seemed to be elsewhere, and they were struggling to find leadership as their star player vanished.  Tony and Pop’s relationship is well known.  A piece of me wonders if Tony knows something we don’t.  He has publicly said he wants to play 20 years.  Is Pop going to retire soon?  Did Tony leave to get his last three years with a coach he respects?  No one could blame Pop if he retires.  He has had an amazing career and he is facing many changes personally with the loss of his wife. I hope he sticks around.  We fans trust him to rebuild this organization, to pull us from the drama, and to maintain the integrity of the Spurs as we know it.

So Manu I am asking you to stay one more year.  Losing all three of the Big Three like this will break my heart.  You’re my last hope.

And to Tony I say goodbye and good luck with a hearty Go Spurs Go!  You will be missed.

Now let’s hope Jimbo Fisher will give me something to root for in College Station!