These Nice-Guy Spurs Might Be Plain Finished

Got an e-mail from Nate after the first game of the Western Conference finals. “Evil 1, Good 0.” Clever.

Received an e-mail from Dan after Game 2. “I had the series going six games, but now it looks like a four-game SWEEP!” Cute.

Nate and Dan represent the kinder, gentler element of the Los Angeles Lakers’ fan base.

Erin represents another element: “The next time David Robinson is quoting those scriptures, you may ask him to quote a few regarding judging, jealousy and being a HUGE hypocrite.”

Erin does not identify one example of jealousy, hypocrisy or any other Biblical sin in Robinson’s life, but she is not alone in her dislike of the Spurs’ all-star center. Lots of Laker fans loathe Robinson. Lots loathe the Spurs. For a team with more nice guys and model citizens than any other in the NBA, San Antonio has stirred an extraordinary amount of hostility during these Western Conference finals.

I’ve received more than 100 e-mails on the series this past week, many from fans who want the Lakers to abuse and embarrass the Spurs. Why? For some, because the Spurs are dull.

Eric: “The worst thing in the world you can be is neutral. And if nothing else, David Robinson epitomizes everything neutral about the bland, oatmeal Spurs. Can it be possible for an entire team to have no personality?”

Some fans want Robinson hung on a cross. Others want Shaquille O’Neal to humiliate the Admiral, to “send that sissy David Robinson back to church for the summer.”

A few e-mails expressed sentiments not fit for print in a family newspaper. Many of those sentiments targeted Robinson, recently named the winner of the NBA’s Sportsmanship Award. Robinson, ever smiling, ever giving, inspires hatred among some fans that defies logical explanation. It’s not his low-post moves. It’s not his play in the paint. It’s his value system.

Eric: “You say Shaq likes to party. Well give me a party over a Bible session. My opinion is that God would choose a party over reading a biography of Himself too--no matter what David Robinson or Avery Johnson would say.”

Robinson has other problems in the eyes of Laker fans. For one, he’s not Shaq.

Carlos: “Shaq speaks his mind and David hides behind sound bites and political correctness.” No examples were offered. Just hit-and-run.

To be fair, many Laker fans expressed deep admiration for Robinson’s character and role model behavior. They just wanted to talk a little trash. Such as Patricia. She surmised San Antonio fans would bring cowbells to the playoffs to cheer their Spurs, but offered another suggestion: “Why don’t y’all Texans bring your COWS? Now that just might stop the Lakers, if they had to plow through cow manure on the court. Relish your ONE championship in a shortened season because you won’t get another.”

Patricia has support from at least one more Lakers fan who could not resist a dig at San Antonio’s title in 1999.

From R. Cruz: “I know a winner when I see one and the Spurs are not (*).”