1980's Spurs Memories: The Fragments

I've been a Spurs fan most of my life. Here are the fragments of my earliest Spurs memories.

If you're a fan, suffer through the self-indulgence, it will be worth it when you find out about my  personal experience with Coach Pop.

My fandom probably started when I was 9 years old. In December of 1986, my Dad brought home front-row tickets because a co-worker couldn't attend. Up until this point in my life, I have memories of my father and I watching some of those classic Lakers-Celtics battles (my dad rooting for the Celtics, and I was rooting for the Lakers) at one point in life I remember being completely surprised San Antonio even had a team as the Spurs were never on TV and no one I knew talked about them at all. 




Here's my ticket stub. $30.00 bucks for a front row seat!
That's still only a little over $64 in 2014!


 

I remember a few distinct things about the game, one was a souvenir basketball rolled down from the somewhere above us right to my seat. I looked up but have no idea where it came from. I was able to keep it and take it home. The other was Tom Chambers came barreling towards us chasing after a loose ball. He landed right below my legs and the ball popped up right into my hands. I looked down at Chambers, looked up and saw the ref looking at me. I threw the ball at the ref and I felt pretty cool. Back in those days, few Spurs games were on TV - no highlights exist but I found a full game on youtube from a few months later in the season.

From then on, I remember checking the newspaper and checking out the sports section for information on the Spurs. It was hit or miss as I had other important things in my life like candy, baseball cards and comic books. Plus, the Spurs stunk at the time (a 2 year anomaly for the most successful small market pro sports team ever). 

Other early memories included me staying home sick when the local news broke in to announce David Robinson had signed with the Spurs. I wasn't aware at the time how important this was (see the details in the video below about his options) but it was the turning point in Spurs history. It is very likely, the franchise would have stunk for another 3-5 years and been moved. Here's a TBS report about that day.




With the start of adolescence, my interest in sports grew. In the summer before 6th grade (1988)  I got this t-shirt to show my friends what a big Spurs fan I was - even though David wasn't going to play until the following year.

 

 

 

One of my most treasured childhood memories also happened in the summer of 1988. It's strange to think about but the NBA and especially the Spurs were small potatoes compared to 2014. The organization really had to  sell the idea of going to the games of a crappy team - so this meant getting the players and coaches out into the local community.

There were several H-E-B promotional events planned around the city and one of our local H-E-B's was chosen as a location. Johnny Dawkins, the Coyote and a then, brand new, little-known assistance coach named Gregg Popovich would be there. They would have autographs, ticket giveaways and have some games for the kiddo's.

My dad took me down to the H-E-B and we first got in line for an autograph from Dawkins (that is now lost in the mists of time). I hung out shooting hoops with a bunch of kids for awhile and then, the contest began. I am not sure if I knew what the prize would be, but it was a 12 game pack (for two) that as on the line. The whole package was only $176.00!!

The contest was a version of "Knockout" - where the kids were lined up and shot free-throws. If you made your free-throw, you were "safe" and continued on,  if you missed and the kid behind you made their attempt, you were "out" of the game. The game started with a bunch of kids, my memory is a bit hazy but at least 15-20, possibly more. I can't say for sure but I believe Coach Pop was hosting the game, grabbing rebounds and passing the balls back to the kids to shoot. Although I don't have a memory of him doing so, I have a very good reason to think this, as you will see below.

What was strange about this game of "Knock Out" was that the Spurs Coyote was playing with the kids.  Even more strange, he  was actually knocking kids out of the contest (maybe he was ready to go home??).  I was shooting well and was knocking kids out left and right. Slowly but surely the contest dwindled down to three of us - me, a girl about my age and the Coyote.  I think the girl knocked out the Coyote and we traded buckets a few times. Then, I missed.  I was sure that I was going to suffer the indignity of losing to a girl but then, she missed and I made my next attempt, winning the game!

Which brings me back to Coach Pop.

I had no memory about Popvich being there. After all, he was part of the newly hired staff of Larry Brown (himself, new to SA) and practically an unknown. Even by basketball standards, he was a no-body.

My memories about this great victory of mine centered on winning the contest and meeting Johnny Dawkins. Then, I was digging through some of my dad's old documents when I came across a copy of an old letter that my dad had written back to the Spurs:

 

 

 

For those that didn't bother (or who can't read my dad's handwriting) it complements Coach Popovich for the way he treated all the kids, stating he was "considerate" about the kids feelings during the contest and how, "The Spurs have a quality individual in Coach Popovich".

I was shocked. It turns out I  had most likely taken shots passed from one of the NBA's all-time best head coaches! Popovich is known for his gruff demeanor and it's true he will not suffer a fool, but if you dig long enough, you find out he has a heart of gold. The guy's the real deal- smart, no-nonsense, tough and caring head coach. Also, he's a liberal so that makes me like him even more.





Our tickets were center-court, on the lowest level of the upper deck. Actually pretty good seats for as high as they were, plus, there were free! Here's my Spurs ID card from the 1988-1989 season. I have no idea what this card was for, but I am sure I had in my wallet to show my friends. Typically, they spelled my name wrong.

  

Our package included the opening night against the defending champs, the LA Lakers. I chose this 12 game pack because it had the Lakers and Celtics, and other option only had the Bulls.  The Spurs actually  won that game on opening night in a major upset. The crowd at the old Hemisphere Arena was rocking and rolling with excitement and it was a ton of fun.

As it turned out, that game was the zenith of the experience.  The Spurs lost the next 11 games we went to. Even when the Celtics came to town, Larry Bird was out with health issues and we still lost.  As an 11-year-old fan, it was frustrating but I always got stay up late and I learned a lot about basketball that year.

The following year was the most anticipated season in Spurs history (before or since) with David Robinson finally arriving after that 2 year delay. Although we didn't get a season ticket package, my dad did manage to score opening night tickets against, once again, the LA Lakers. It was David Robinson's first regular season NBA game and he did not disappoint. He had 23 points and 17 rebounds in a victory. Again, it was an amazing game to be at, and it felt like we finally had one of the "greats" playing for "our" Spurs!

A minor miracle I still had this ticket, I think I found it in one of my old baseball/basketball card boxes in college. Also, note it was $11.00 bucks to watch NBA history (even if it was "upper balcony").

 

So, the 80's ended quite well for the Spurs, they were on the up-swing and I was a very happy 12-year-old. Eventually, I will write a part II but until then, Happy New Year, to no one in particular!