I begin off at this time’s Open Thread with modicum of gratitude.
Again in 2017, I discovered PoundingTheRock.com whereas looking the net for Spurs associated tales. I immediately turned a fan. I keep in mind spending a while listening to each episode of “A Fifth of Spurs” and studying a backlog of articles. I quickly found the Fanposts and instantly arrange an account.
At the moment, PtR had their very own merchandise on the market every so often. I noticed a publish a couple of new launch and after ordering, posted a query within the feedback, “What number of t-shirts has PtR launched?” The editor-in-chief, J.R. Wilco, posted a response, “Would not or not it’s nice if somebody figured that out.”
I made a decision to take that as my first task.
I combed by the positioning way back to I may till I had compiled a listing of shirts. Ultimately, I used to be lacking one or two, however I did get Wilco’s consideration. He reached out and we had a cellphone name. Full disclosure, my spouse described my aspect of the dialog as “giddy.” What can say, I used to be a fan.
We mentioned quite a few Spurs associated subjects in addition to writing and some concepts every of us had. I pitched a collection protecting the gamers whose jersey numbers had been retired, and the Hanging From The Rafters collection was born. My first piece on James Silas, the primary member of the Spurs to have his jersey retired, posted on August 1, 2017. Eight years in the past at this time.
I saved up the Hanging From the Rafters collection, updating it over time to incorporate Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, and Tony Parker.
It wasn’t at all times clean crusing. In my first yr I took on writing a number of the Sport Previews. For a matchup the place the Spurs have been dealing with the Philadelphia 76ers with out the companies of Kawhi Leonard, Rudy Homosexual, and Manu Ginobili, I boldly predicted a victory, “Spurs by 17.” I used to be approach mistaken. The 76ers ended up beating the Spurs by 17 on that evening.
It wasn’t lengthy earlier than I used to be requested to put in writing a each day Open Thread, one thing that lent itself to conversations for any dialogue whereas permitting articles to keep up on matter feedback. At this level, I’m creeping up on my 3000th article.
In these eight years I’ve labored with some exceptional individuals. People I’ve now recognized longer than most coworkers from my day job. I’ve developed stable relationships based mostly on trustworthy collaboration and constructive suggestions.
I get to do one thing that I actually love: write in regards to the San Antonio Spurs, my favourite workforce. It retains me related with others who share the identical ardour for Spurs tradition.
And within the final eight years, because the Spurs have had their ups and downs, I’m glad to be nonetheless be watching each single recreation — excited to see what develops, regardless of the end result. Because of all of you who learn, and remark, and share.
Right here’s to a different yr of pounding the rock!
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