When the San Antonio Spurs drafted Cory Joseph from the University of Texas, one of the statements General Manager R.C. Buford made about Joseph was he has “terrific Spur qualities.” There is no definition for Spurs qualities, but many of the players who pass through this organization inherit them as they spend time in this culture.
Take former Spurs Stephen Jackson and Beno Udrih, they were recently traded to the Milwaukee Bucks and they both attributed their time with the Spurs as positive influences in their career writes Tom Enlund of the Journal Sentinal.
“I learned how to be a professional (in San Antonio),” said Jackson during his introductory press conference Wednesday at the Bradley Center. “Playing with David Robinson, Tim Duncan, and Danny Ferry, those guys showed me the business of basketball. How to approach games, how to approach practice and film and how to get prepared for games.
“I think that’s the reason I was able to have success in my career so far. Those guys definitely showed me how to be professional in this league and I think it’s helped me be a leader.”
Udrih played more in his first championship season with the Spurs than he did in the second, but he said that even by just observing in San Antonio, he learned how important the “little things” were to a successful team. Such as?
“The character of the players,” said Udrih. “Awareness. Everything matters. I think sometimes little stuff makes a team better more than the big stuff.
“I learned in San Antonio when I was playing there…I was able to observe things and just learn how a team basically should play. The last couple years, defensive mentality was winning championships. And team mentality.
“It wasn’t the stats or the players with the crazy stats. It was a team effort.”
As many former Spurs players, coaches, and front office personnel have made their way around the league, most of them always reiterate that their time in San Antonio has taught them how to be leaders. Recently traded guard George Hill wasn’t bitter about being dealt for draft picks on draft night, instead he told the city of Indiana he’s going to take what he learned with the Spurs and lead the Pacers organization in the right direction.
(Photo: Daylife.com)
