Anything Matt Bonner says is a fact. That in itself is a fact.
The Red Mamba, heralded for his three-point shooting, but worshiped for his hair color, has become something of a phenomenon. Fans love him, just because. There’s the distance shooting and fiery beard, but mostly, he’s just a likable guy.
He’s also not one to doubt his own team. And why should he be? The San Antonio Spurs, who he has spent the last seven years with, have embodied greatness for a decade-plus. No matter how old or decrepit we portrayed them to be, they just kept coming back. They kept winning.
Only last season the Spurs finished with the second-best record in the Western Conference and went onto the NBA Finals, where they were one defensive rebound away from Tim Duncan’s fifth championship and the fourth of the Big Three era. Why doubt them at all?
Because they’re old. Or rather, they’re supposed to be. Don’t even ask for the ages of Danny Green or Kawhi Leonard; you’re just supposed to think the Spurs are old. Duncan is old. Manu Ginobili is old. Hell, Tony Parker’s on the wrong side of 30 so he’s old too.
Bonner doesn’t share the same thoughts about his comrades. He believes, like I’m sure the rest of the team does, that the Spurs are legitimate contenders, that they can make it back to the finals. That they’re not too old.
“Every year, people would always say that we’re too old but we always proved them wrong,” Bonner told reporters after an activity with kids at the Mall of Asia Arena, as quoted by Christian Jacinto and Jonas Terrado of Tempo.com.
“We don’t listen to what a lot of people are saying, and as far as with people saying that we’re too old, I don’t think so,“ he continued. “Look at Tim Duncan and his game, he relies on fundamentals, high IQ and skills and those things don’t mesh with age and as long as we’re healthy, we always have a good chance to be back in the finals.”
It’s become pretty clear over the years that Gregg Popovich’s crew couldn’t give two flying craps about what the outside world has to say. Were they to accept what reporters, pundits and comment-baiters said as truth, they’d have been in the lottery four or five years running now. Instead they’ve emulated consistent greatness.
Every year the Spurs are a part of the championship discussion. Every. Single. Year. It’s nothing short of incredible. They rarely go out and overpay free agents in search of a title—though Tiago Splitter’s contract is pretty steep—and have managed to build a dominant outfit from within. Free-agent suckers like the New York Knicks would love to know their secret, as would anyone who’s a fan of winning.
That’s what the Spurs do after all—they win. They may not always win a championship, but usually, they’re right there. And I’ve learned my lesson: I’ll never, ever count out the Spurs again. Never, ever.
So the next time you think about writing off Duncan, Parker, Manu and everybody else, think about everything else you know first. Think about last season. Think about how they almost beat the Miami Heat. Think about Matt Bonner.
Just think in general and you’ll come draw the same conclusion every time: the Spurs aren’t young, but they’re young enough.
Dan Favale is a firm believer in the three-pointer as well as the notion that defense doesn’t always win championships. His musings can be found at Bleacherreport.com in addition to TheHoopDoctors.com. Follow @danfavale on Twitter for his latest posts and all things NBA.
