It is no secret that I am a Spurs fan.

And sometimes people give me crap for being a Spurs fan, which I pretend to not understand because it’s not like I’m a Timberwolves fan or I don’t know insert not currently great NBA team here (Rockets) fan, I’m a Spurs fan. But I pretend to not understand because it doesn’t make sense but I get it; The Spurs are not “hollywood”. We don’t really have scandals, our team loves each other and loves the game, but they don’t get Nike contracts or punch fans to generate press because they want one thing and one thing only (that thing is not fame), to win.

Here’s the thing, I am a Spurs fan all season, even when we lose, even when we play like crap, even when Manu throws a million crappy three’s, I root for them because they are my team. Around this time of year people send me all the news articles that pop up about how great Tim Duncan is, the best player according to NY Times, Sports Illustrated, ESPN, etc. According to the experts though he’s only the best once we reach the finals. Next November, no matter what the outcome of these upcoming games are, I guarantee the Spurs will almost be forgotten. They will most likely win, they will probably dominate the West, but Sports Center won’t mention it until we get to the Playoffs. Even now, that we are the Western Conference Champions we’re getting very little air time, everyone is talking about Miami. That’s okay, we like it that way, we’d rather our game not be analyzed and torn apart by Magic and the semi circle of experts, we’d rather surprise you on the court.

Here are some quick facts if I haven’t convinced you that we are a great team:
And it’s not just Tim Duncan. Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker are also most likely future hall of famers, they are amazing players who work together. And let’s not forget Pop. The coach that is famous for one word sideline interviews that make journalists cringe, but the coach that also has led his team to four NBA championships, one of only five coaches to accomplish that stat and of that five Gregg Popovich has the highest winning percentage .727 (16-6) of any in the Finals.

So whenver some stranger see’s me in my Manu jersey and says something stupid about the Spurs I just smile and nod, because I know what the press has forgotten to tell them; that we are not only a good team, but we are a historic team. We are the Best of the West.
Game one of the NBA Finals airs June 6th at 9pm ET on ABC