That is my considerably annual Thanksgiving Day piece. I say” considerably” annual as a result of I don’t consider I’ve completed this yearly at the moment – although I could possibly be mistaken. I usually am.
Earlier than I begin with the issues I’m grateful for, I discover it odd when folks say, “If I don’t see you earlier than Thanksgiving, have a very good one!!” Does that imply in the event that they do see me once more earlier than the vacation, all bets are off? I feel it must be “Whether or not I see you once more or not, I hope you’ve got an amazing Thanksgiving!” Or possibly simply “Hey, have an amazing Thanksgiving!” Who’s with me? Anyway, on to issues I’m grateful for.
1. The primary factor Spurs followers are grateful for: we lastly have a very good crew once more. Each season because the Spurs went 48-34 document in 2018-19, the Spurs have gained lower than 35 video games, bottoming out with back-to-back 22-60 data in 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons. Whereas the crew was higher final season, the Spurs have been nonetheless not what you’ll describe as “good”. After all, as soon as Victor Wembanyama and De’Aaron Fox went down with accidents for the 12 months, the Spurs have been what you’ll describe as “dangerous”, ending with 34 wins.
Against this, this season’s buzz across the league, and the crew, is totally completely different. Even with out Fox for the beginning of the season, and Victor’s latest absence, the crew has remained aggressive. I’m very grateful to as soon as once more activate the sport and expec a Spurs win – a sense we haven’t had in years. I’m additionally grateful to listen to the pre-game commentators on the varied networks describe the crew in glowing phrases, additionally one thing we have now not been listening to for some time.
2. We’re additionally very grateful that the 22 and 34 win seasons turned out so properly on the draft nights after every of these years. After successful the Victor lottery, I wrote about how buddies have been congratulating me:
“One of many many nice issues about having a birthday, commencement, or a promotion at work is receiving congratulatory notes from family and friends. Final Tuesday was a kind of days for me regardless that I didn’t simply have one other youngster, graduate from anyplace or get promoted at work. I additionally didn’t win the lottery, which absolutely would have led to many calls and emails asking to borrow cash. However as an alternative of me successful the lottery, my favourite crew did. So many individuals reached out to me that I started to suppose possibly I did win the lottery. Despite the fact that none of them have been Spurs followers, folks have been so completely happy that I used to be completely happy that it made me even happier.”
As a aspect be aware, I’m certain the NBA may be very grateful that the Spurs gained that draft lottery over Charlotte. The Spurs are the proper group to develop a generational expertise, whereas the Hornets are … not.
After which the Spurs adopted up the Victor residence run by choosing Stephon Fortress and Dylan Harper within the subsequent two drafts. Wow, the latest NBA draft and draft lotteries has given the Spurs loads to be glad about. Though it’s too early to inform, ten years from now we could also be saying that the Spurs’ draft the previous three years have been the most effective three consecutive drafts ever – particularly if Carter Bryant turns into a productive NBA participant.
3. Having these younger stars mentored by our semi-young and nonetheless younger veterans has additionally been worthy of a Thanksgiving toast. As an illustration, regardless that Keldon Johnson misplaced his beginning job on account of all of the additions, he has handled that demotion like a promotion. “If I’m not beginning, I would be the finest sixth man I might be!” He continues to play with ardour and enthusiasm, letting everybody on the crew know the job of being an NBA participant can be an absolute blast. Get pleasure from it, and let everybody know you do. I’m very grateful to Keldon, together with fellow vets Devon Vassel, Harrison Barnes and Fox, together with the proper low season addition Luke Kornet.
4. I’m grateful to be a part of a superb group of writers right here at Pounding the Rock, together with Charlie Thaddeus and his endlessly entertaining post-game rants entitled “What We Realized From [insert the most recent Spurs game]. I learn every of Charlie’s posts, and revel in every one. However I must disagree together with his November 19 publish written after Victor’s calf harm was introduced. Charlie was actually NOT grateful about Victor’s harm — none of us have been, Charlie predicted Victor’s accidents could be an ongoing difficulty:
“The danger of Victor Wembanyama getting harm is larger than it’s for lots of different gamers. His anatomy is exclusive. It places pressure on his joints and muscle tissue and knees and ankles and bones in ways in which nobody else actually has to take care of. The possibilities of him struggling one thing that retains him out for a two month stretch or a season or, knock on wooden, even longer really feel excessive. Larger than most. Take a look at Invoice Walton, Yao Ming, or Greg Oden prior to now or, shoot, have a look at Joel Embiid and Anthony Davis proper now. Large males on this league staying wholesome 100% of the time is just not one thing that occurs and Victor Wembanyama is among the largest males we have now. If you happen to can’t see the items of that puzzle sitting on the board then you’re being willfully ignorant at this level.”
Maybe I’m being willfully ignorant (and grateful to be so!), however I’ve a special tackle Victor’s long-term prognosis. As I wrote whereas Victor was a rookie, and even thinner than he’s now, his body-type and coaching routine led me to reject the comparisons to Walton, Ming, Oden, Embiid or F.I.A.D. (F.I. stands for “Regularly Injured” Anthony Davis), I’d as an alternative evaluate Victor to The Admiral and the Nice Duncan and, most of all, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar:
“However as encouraging as these numbers are from the Spurs’ home-grown legends, I take much more consolation from one other NBA nice — Bucks and Lakers star Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Victor and Kareem share comparable physique sorts: lengthy and lean. . . I nonetheless come again to the Kareem comparability: swish motion, physique kind, and dedication to staying unfastened and cellular. I’ll stick with wishing — and hereby predicting — Victor Wembanyama may have a protracted, productive and wholesome NBA profession. And whereas I’m at it, let’s have him spend all of it in San Antonio.”
I can be very grateful if I’m proper – and I’m certain Charlie can be too. As Bruce Springsteen sang (and continues to sing), “Present a bit religion, there’s magic within the night time.”
5. Nearer to residence, I’m very grateful to all my buddies with season tickets who permit me to attend Spurs video games when the crew visits Los Angeles to play the Lakers or the Clippers. Thanks to Ken and Kim, TD, Mike, Peter and Marc! In associated information, and with insincere apologies to my Clipper fan buddies, I’m very grateful to have a look at the standings and see that the Clippers are 5-13.
6. Additionally near residence, it appears like Palisades Excessive can be opening up firstly of 2026, having been closed because the wildfires which decimated the Palisades and Altadena final January. I’ve had a weekly Sunday morning recreation at Pali Excessive for a few years. Returning to the Pali Excessive health club a 12 months after the devastating wildfires can be a particularly grateful occasion. Even higher, the LA Occasions yesterday morning had an article with an image of the primary home accomplished within the Palisades because the fires. Extra to return. Final January, I wrote about looking my workplace window and seeing flames within the Palisades. I a lot want the views now, together with this sundown from early this week looking that very same workplace window as I did on January 7, 2025:
Lee Dresie
7. Lastly, I’m very grateful that every one three of my groups both have completed or are doing so properly. Together with having fun with my Spurs’ resurgence, I’m a Dodgers fan (gained the World Collection!) and a Rams fan (finest document within the NFL!). Thanksgiving is feeling fairly good.
