26th of June, 1999. These Fans Been Waiting To Exhale For 26 Years SAN ANTONIO, Texas -- I didnt go to New York this week to watch the NBA Finals. Its not that I didnt want to go; its that if the Spurs win on the road, the story in San Antonio would also be about the faithful fans who have been waiting for that celebration for a long, long time. Well the 78-77 win over the New York Knicks last night brought a dream come true for these fans because for twenty-six long years, the fans of the San Antonio Spurs have been waiting to exhale frustration and the bridesmaid mentality and inhale the breath of champions. While watching the game from a local tavern, I witnessed history in the making as those fans could feel the inevitable. Were going to win it, shouted a Spurs fan who painted his face in silver and black. Yeah Baby!! Were the champs!! another shouted. Yes the sports bar was in full effect. Spurs fans from wall to wall. The fans never lost their intensity. While Knicks fans kept chanting We Still Believe it was these fans and the thousands in the city and around the country who believed that statement. One fan, a ticket holder for 20 years summed it all up when the final buzzer sounded. Our guys just proved why the good guys can finish first, he said. They believe in each other and they believed in each other all year. Thats why were the first former ABA team to win this title. Whats truly astonishing though isnt what happened while watching the game but what happened after the win. Ive read stories from various newspaper writers, seen message board posts and listened to the smack from talk radio saying that the Spurs were going to have a tainted championship. Some said that the fans would burn the city down. Well I am happy to report that not only did none of this happen but as for the celebrations, they were as tame as tame could be. Horns may have honked. People danced in the street but not once did there seem to be any looting, rioting or other mess that is usually associated. Spurs fans like their team are class acts. So as this season finally comes to a close, the city of San Antonio has a few issues to plan and work out. The immediate one is the celebration parade along the Riverwalk and then a huge pep rally at the Alamodome tomorrow night. The parade will be at six while the rally will be at nine. Then its on to tackle the issue of a new arena. For eighteen months nothing was done about this issue but you can almost bet the farm in Vegas that a deal will be done very, very quickly. Not only will the fans vote on it but the citizens as a whole will vote on it as well. They will want to keep the team in town and watch Tim Duncan garner a few more of those gold trophies. Its been a great season and its been a Finals that I know I wont soon forget. But for the fans of the 1999 NBA Champions, they will have something to cherish. Its been 26 long years coming but finally the San Antonio Spurs have captured the prize that everyone wants. Congratulations Spurs fans, youre now fans of world champions! By Gregory Moore Gregory Moore is the Managing Editor of the San Antonio Informer, a weekly newspaper in San Antonio. He has been covering the San Antonio Spurs and the NBA since 1993 and is a member of the Professional Basketball Writers Association.

Past Articles from Gregory Moore 26th of June, 1999. These Fans Been Waiting To Exhale For 26 Years 22nd of June, 1999. When Will Knick Fans Finally Let Reality Sink In? 18th of June, 1999. Come 12 O'Clock Midnight... 14th of June, 1999. In 1995 They Were So Close... 8th of June, 1999. Witnessing History Is An Honor 6th of June, 1999. Stoudamire Complaining, A.J. Leading 2nd of June, 1999. It Was The Shot That Shocked The Northwest 31st of May, 1999. This Is The Wrong Time To Be 40 And Under 29th of May, 1999. It's Finally Here...The Best In The West 26th of May, 1999. Who's Voting For These Awards Anyway? 25th of May, 1999. Ten Years Ago...Detroit Was In This Same Position 20th of May, 1999. It's All About Experience 14th of May, 1999. What Are Your Expectations? 5th of May, 1999. Isn't This Reminiscent Of 1995?