Spurs Insider Podcast, 2026-07-29 22:26:00
专栏作家迈克·芬格和跟队记者汤姆·奥斯本讨论了马刺队休赛期决定带回整个NBA总决赛轮换阵容，新援托拜厄斯·哈里斯和小塔里斯·里德将如何补充这支队伍，以及为什么主教练米奇·约翰逊下赛季最大的任务可能是让每个人都感到满意。
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以下是播客的文字记录：
迈克·芬格：从南德州一个高度机密的绝密地点网络，这里是马刺内幕暑期休假版。我是迈克·芬格，身边是《圣安东尼奥快报》马刺跟队记者汤姆·奥斯本，他刚结束七月的短暂休整回来。杰夫·麦克唐纳正在享受他的假期。汤姆，我们本周会非常想念他，深切地想念杰夫。希望他正在给他所有充满活力、乐观、积极的精神电池充电。想知道你是如何给你那乐观的精神电池充电的，汤姆。我们上次很想你。
汤姆·奥斯本：嗯，很高兴回来，迈克。很高兴见到你。这些日子简直是一个休假接着另一个休假。是啊，我是怎么度过我的小休假的呢？嗯，我和妻子离开了拉斯维加斯……
迈克·芬格：嗯嗯。
汤姆·奥斯本：……沿着海滩开车去洛杉矶待了一周。嗯，非常愉快，非常美好的时光。
迈克·芬格：我敢打赌那一定很惬意。
汤姆·奥斯本：玛丽安德尔湾、圣莫尼卡，以及中间和周边的景点。玩得非常开心。不过，我们有一次小小的冒险。
迈克·芬格：嗯哼。
汤姆·奥斯本：我们想去一家叫Casa Vega的餐厅吃饭，你可能听说过。
迈克·芬格：好的。
汤姆·奥斯本：它曾在《好莱坞往事》中出现过。那家店已经开了很久了。食物不错。去Casa Vega，你得穿过月桂谷。然后，我们当时在——
迈克·芬格：著名的月桂谷。是的，穿过好莱坞山。
汤姆·奥斯本：穿过好莱坞山。我们在冷水峡谷上。你瞧，我们那天过得真是刺激。我是说，那天很开心，是那种抛开所有工作烦恼的日子，你只是在享受生活。
迈克·芬格：嗯嗯。
汤姆·奥斯本：然后，你瞧，我们的车没油了。
迈克·芬格：[笑声] 天哪！汤姆，在2026年你怎么还能把车开到没油？
汤姆·奥斯本：没错。而且，这情况从我大学时代起就没再发生过了。
迈克·芬格：嗯嗯。
汤姆·奥斯本：所以——
迈克·芬格：租来的车没有警告提示吗？没有警示灯亮起吗？
汤姆·奥斯本：好吧。这完全是我的错。
迈克·芬格：嗯嗯。
汤姆·奥斯本：嗯，我大概两天前加过一些油，嗯，加到一半。我们想着应该没问题。但我没把洛杉矶走走停停的交通考虑进去。
迈克·芬格：嗯嗯。
汤姆·奥斯本：嗯，你知道，你还开着空调。这些因素都会导致汽油消耗。所以，这是我想说的重点。事情是这样的——
迈克·芬格：嗯嗯。
汤姆·奥斯本：呃，所以，我们没油了。我们卡在车道中间。谢天谢地不是在高速公路上。
迈克·芬格：是在一条路中间吗？你们堵住交通了？
汤姆·奥斯本：在冷水峡谷的路中间。而且，如果你熟悉好莱坞山，那里到处都是坡。我们当时正在上一个小坡，车没油了，打开双闪灯。人们从我们旁边绕过去。没有人抓狂，没有人按喇叭，但情况确实很尴尬。我打了电话给AAA。
迈克·芬格：嗯嗯。
汤姆·奥斯本：AAA一直很可靠，但需要等一会儿。
迈克·芬格：嗯嗯。
汤姆·奥斯本：呃，但这就是我想说的重点。有个人停了下来，把车停到路边，走到我们车前说：“需要帮忙吗？我以前也遇到过这种情况。我能帮上什么忙？”
迈克·芬格：嗯嗯。
汤姆·奥斯本：他下车后，你知道，我们把车挂到空挡，试着把它推到路边。但推不动，你知道，就我和这个人。但接着又有三个男人停了下来。
迈克·芬格：[笑声] 嗯嗯。
汤姆·奥斯本：又有三个男人停下来，呃，帮了我们一把。所以，这原本是件糟糕的事情，但最后变成了件好事。这让我感到很暖心——
迈克·芬格：是啊。
汤姆·奥斯本：——知道外面还是有这样热心的人，呃，在洛杉矶，愿意停下来帮助你。
迈克·芬格：而且其中一个人是卢卡·东契奇，卢卡·东契奇。[笑声]
汤姆·奥斯本：不，不是他。第一个停下来的人，他叫孟德尔。我只知道这个，他叫孟德尔。
迈克·芬格：孟德尔？这听起来像是编的。
汤姆·奥斯本：不，孟德尔，他站了出来，嗯，你知道。就像他说的：“我以前也遇到过这种情况，我想帮忙。”
迈克·芬格：[笑声] 不管怎样。
汤姆·奥斯本：是啊。
迈克·芬格：我是说，汽油这东西，就像是笔直而狭窄的道路。现在这年头总有些问题。有时候真的很难弄到。我想我得对你宽容点。你知道，我们正处在奇怪的时代。
汤姆·奥斯本：我承担责任，迈克。我说了，这完全全全是我一个人的错。但是，你知道，就像我说的，这原本是个糟糕的局面，但最后变成了好事，因为这些人都停下来帮忙。
迈克·芬格：嗯，这寓意挺好的。糟糕的局面可能变得好起来。呃，你知道——
汤姆·奥斯本：我真不知道怎么把这话茬接到马刺篮球上。
迈克·芬格：我不确定这能不能让我接上话头。我在努力，因为马刺……我猜想那个糟糕的局面，被撂在路中间的感觉，就像是NBA总决赛第四场，哦不，总决赛第三场，第四场，丢掉了25分的领先优势。然后努力想办法把坏事变好事。本地的篮球队正在度过一个，嗯，相当平静的夏天，汤姆，平静的夏天，一个汤姆·奥斯本式的夏天，没有什么大动作。他们没有参与勒布朗·詹姆斯的争夺战。嗯，他们基本上是把原班人马又带了回来。上次你还在从拉斯维加斯回来的路上，或者也许是从维加斯搬到洛杉矶的路上，那时候你正苦于找不到加油站，我和杰夫聊了聊夏天整体的运作。我们讨论过，嗯，今年夏天的策略就是带回整个核心阵容，增加一个所有人都认为他们需要的拼图，即一个能打四号位的人，一个能和维克托·文班亚马 (Victor Wembanyama) 一起在前场搭档的人，提供一点防守、一点得分能力。那个人就是托拜厄斯·哈里斯。选秀选几个可能在未来几年帮得上忙的球员。嗯，基本上就往前推进了。我想知道你对于马刺队今年夏天整体运作的看法。
汤姆·奥斯本：嗯，别忘了，他们还重新签回了大卫·琼斯·加西亚。
迈克·芬格：那倒是。那是本集播客的头版头条。
汤姆·奥斯本：是啊。嗯，不，是的，你说得对。这策略就是维持现状，不慌张，不做任何可能会破坏化学反应，嗯，破坏这支神奇地赢了62场比赛并闯入NBA总决赛的球队的举动。
迈克·芬格：嗯嗯。
汤姆·奥斯本：对于这样的球队，你得微调，而不是彻底改组。所以，嗯，你知道，他们这样做是正确的。嗯，你知道，他们还有一个阵容名额要填补。很可能会是那些双向合同球员中的一个转正。
迈克·芬格：嗯嗯。
汤姆·奥斯本：而且，呃，你知道，嗯，是的。所以，他们做事的方式是对的。做事非常布莱恩·莱特 (Brian Wright) 的风格，非常马刺的风格。
迈克·芬格：说到这个，嗯，我觉得有些经济和财务上的精打细算，他们目前离奢侈税线还差大约200万，而且我不认为奢侈税对他们来说是不能触碰的。但是，如果这么接近的话，设法避免交税也是合理的。所以，你刚才说的就很有道理，也许转正一个双向合同球员。基本上，是的，你有14份全职合同，你有三个球员包括大卫·琼斯·加西亚拿着双向合同。他们和伊曼纽尔·米勒分道扬镳了，对吧？嗯，不一定是一去不复返，只是为了给大卫·琼斯·加西亚腾出位置，让他重回双向合同。他拿着双向合同。所以，15人大名单里还剩下一个名额，你可以不填，也可以填上。并且，用低于那不到200万什么的金额来填补，以便保持在奢侈税线以下，这或许是个现实的预期。但是，这一切是想说明，嗯，阵容已经基本确定了，我想我们都同意。而且，你拥有的就是你所看到的，你所看到的就是你将要得到的。而且，在训练营开始前的接下来几个月里，不会有任何惊天动地的引援，来加到这套阵容里。所以，我们可以开始展望新赛季的期望值了。汤姆，当你堵在月桂谷路中间的时候，我不确定那是哪一天，但嗯，我进行了一次大远足，这是我每个月左右都要做一次的事情，去当地一家墨西哥卷饼店，和播客的朋友迈克·门罗还有巴克·哈维一起吃老头早餐。他们俩还是喜欢发表篮球见解。而且，他们的篮球见解，凭借他们多年报道圣安东尼奥马刺和NBA的经验，他们向我提出了一个看法：呃，尽管他们对本地篮球队评价很高，对圣安东尼奥马刺非常看好，但他们不太确定，这可能会是一个常规赛赢不了62场比赛的赛季。也许赢不了55场。你觉得这说得通吗？我想我有点同意他们的看法。也许事情不会那么顺利，某个时候你会遭遇伤病潮。呃，在经历了NBA总决赛的旅程后，也许不会有那种日复一日全力以赴的动力。我想知道你对巴克·哈维和迈克·门罗的那个看法——即马刺常规赛可能只会赢54或55场——怎么看。
汤姆·奥斯本：嗯，我的本能反应是：那又怎样？这算什么大事吗？你知道？嗯——
迈克·芬格：[笑声]
汤姆·奥斯本：——但是，呃，这又是旅程的一部分，你知道。他们很可能是对的，嗯，你知道。呃，他们必须克服这些，你知道，挑战。他们面临的一个巨大挑战，就是去年总决赛的结局。但，那也是动力。谁说这会很容易？难道他们应该赢下所有比赛，然后，嗯，横扫总决赛吗？这会很艰难的，是的。
迈克·芬格：而且，我认为这就是重点，既然你已经看到了，最终一切都取决于你在季后赛的表现——
汤姆·奥斯本：对，对。
迈克·芬格：——就有点那种“就算你赢不了62场又怎样”的危险心态。嗯，我相信马刺队以前拿过NBA总冠军，我没有查证，但我相信他们赢过总冠军的赛季里，常规赛胜场不到56场，甚至50场。我觉得你常规赛赢52场也能拿NBA总冠军。有人做到过的。嗯，所以，我觉得从更宏观的视角来看，我们看待下赛季故事的方式会不同，因为上赛季我们报道那支球队的时候，十二月初我们去拉斯维加斯报道那个盛大的NBA杯，那是他们迈出的第一大步，而且非常新鲜，这是一支连续六年错过季后赛的球队。他们当时能站上那个舞台就无比兴奋，那本身就是一大步，然后紧接着是一波连胜，接着是冲向50胜的狂潮，然后是60胜，再然后是62胜。这一路上的每一步，对于一支很久没有经历这些的球队来说，都像是重大的里程碑。我认为今年报道这支球队会有所不同，无论是在兴奋点、期望值，还是在所有那些方面。而这会是一件很有趣的事情去看着它展开，我觉得。
汤姆·奥斯本：是啊，是啊。我是说，嗯，上赛季他们确实有一点让人措手不及的元素。我知道这听起来很疯狂，毕竟你队里有文班亚马，但是，你知道，联盟并没有预料到马刺队在赛季末段展现出如此高水平的稳定性和表现。所以，是的，各支球队都会准备好的。嗯，竞争的本质不就是这样吗，对吧，迈克？你知道？嗯，所以，这会是一个有趣的赛季。呃，我猜现在还没板上钉钉的是首发阵容。我们上周聊过了吗？你们上周聊过这个吗？
迈克·芬格：首发阵容，是的。
汤姆·奥斯本：是的，首发阵容。首发阵容，呃，托拜厄斯，呃，朱利安。你打算怎么安排？
迈克·芬格：我们有过我们粗略的猜测。为了复述一下那部分对话，嗯，首先，首先，
汤姆·奥斯本：是的。
迈克·芬格：——呃，首发阵容被高估了。我想我们都能同意这一点。我们整个赛季采访过的每一位NBA教练都这么说，你知道，人们对前五名是谁太过于看重了。每个人都会打他们的25分钟。嗯，这倒是真的。其次，这对某些人来说确实很重要。当年马努·吉诺比利打替补的时候，这对他很重要。比如，当他不首发时，他确实会感到困扰，因为每个运动员都有一定的自尊心，希望自己的名字在比赛开始前通过现场广播被念出来，并且在比赛开始时和那群人一起站在场上。嗯，球员们确实都有自尊心。而且，我认为这不仅是任务的一部分，或许更是挑战所在，对于像米奇·约翰逊 (Mitch Johnson) 这样一位年轻教练来说，首先要决定哪些阵容组合在一起效果最好。其次，如何处理球员的自尊心。不是说这个更衣室里充满了自负，但他们是NBA球员。他们是年薪数百万美元的职业运动员。嗯，米奇·约翰逊要如何让每个人都感到自己有价值和受重视，并且对球队运作很重要？嗯，这是担任主教练的很大一部分工作。我们可以过一遍这个场景。既然现在是七月二十几号，汤姆，实在没什么别的好聊了。所以，我们可以探讨一下那是个好话题。我们可以探讨一下这个想法：我认为斯蒂芬·卡斯尔 (Stephon Castle) 会是一名首发。
汤姆·奥斯本：对。
迈克·芬格：我认为维克托·文班亚马会是首发。我认为达龙·福克斯 (De’Aaron Fox) 会是首发。而且，在这之外的两个位置，你有一些上赛季在首发位置上表现出色的球员。德文·瓦塞尔 (Devin Vassell)——
汤姆·奥斯本：我觉得德文算是实至名归了。
迈克·芬格：德文·瓦塞尔绝对是实至名归。正如我过去几个月里多次说过的，这个版本的德文·瓦塞尔，是你在2020年选秀时所能期待的最好情况。是2020年吗？还是2021年？2020年。这是德文·瓦塞尔的最佳情况。他完全是你想要他成为的样子。他非常适合这个角色。他和控球后卫搭档效果很好。他和维克托搭档效果也很好。在球场的攻防两端，他都做得很好。汤姆，你在季后赛期间写了多少篇关于德文·瓦塞尔的侧记？我的意思是，有20——
汤姆·奥斯本：相当多，都写得理所应当。全都理所应当。
迈克·芬格：——一篇又一篇，不断指出他在攻防两端做得有多好。他就像那什么，有一阵子好像每晚都能封盖七尺长人。太疯狂了！每个系列赛，他都要盖掉一个七尺长人。嗯，我基本上想说的是，很难说德文·瓦塞尔是需要去打替补的那个人。
汤姆·奥斯本：对。
迈克·芬格：朱利安·尚帕尼 (Julian Champagnie)，NBA近十年来最大的发现之一，近十年最高性价比的球员之一，近十年最划算的合同之一，从废品堆里淘宝淘出来的，一个以前连双向合同都很难保住的家伙，却成为了一支闯入NBA总决赛的球队的重要组成部分。嗯，在季后赛期间打破了一些丹尼·格林的三分球记录，在侧翼打出了非常出色的防守，而且，他当时还得和一些强力前锋在内线对抗拼身体，为你打首发大前锋。很难说那个家伙需要去打替补。嗯，但你又签下了像托拜厄斯·哈里斯这样的人，他有过硬的履历，在底特律季后赛的某些时段打得相当不错，嗯，然后你还有那个房间里的大象，迪伦·哈珀 (Dylan Harper)，他在季后赛期间活力四射，是几场比赛中的故事主角之一。而且，他已经赢得了晋升的机会。那么，你怎么处理这个局面？我刚刚为了两个位置提到了四个人。汤姆，如果你是米奇·约翰逊，你怎么——
汤姆·奥斯本：对。
迈克·芬格：——填补这些……我们就拿这两个位置来说。我们假设达龙·福克斯，因为他是队内薪水最高的球员，是驱动马刺快速攻防风格的发动机，他会首发。斯蒂芬·卡斯尔会首发。维克托会首发。就剩两个位置，我给了你四个名字。你首先想到的是什么？
汤姆·奥斯本：嗯，有一种论点认为，你完全可以就用上赛季结束时的阵容来开始新赛季。呃，他们赢了62场比赛，打进了NBA总决赛。那个首发五人组，嗯，你知道，打得相当出色。呃，所以也许你可以用那样的方式开始新赛季。
迈克·芬格：那就是德文·瓦塞尔和朱利安·尚帕尼。
汤姆·奥斯本：是的，然后你再进行调整。而且，是的，你说得对，首发阵容不重要，但我认为全明星周末之后，它们确实就变得有点重要了。你希望让每个人进入一个角色，在进入季后赛时能够全力以赴。但是，你知道，哈里斯，就像你说的，有过硬的履历。他上赛季首发了63场比赛，过去四个赛季，每个赛季都首发70场以上。呃，不让他首发会很困难，但那样的话，你又怎么安排迪伦呢？[笑声] 你知道，这些都是难题。而且，嗯，你知道，好的一面是，正如你指出的，这个更衣室，是的，有自尊心，是的，有职业自豪感，但没有人在这方面会走极端。所以，米奇，嗯，米奇可以进行调整。我个人倒是挺喜欢——
迈克·芬格：我个人倒也挺喜欢那个——
汤姆·奥斯本：我挺喜欢那个方案，你知道，就像我说的，你上赛季结束时打得相当出色，嗯，你知道，用那个首发五人组。也许就用那个阵容开始新赛季，然后视情况再进行调整。
迈克·芬格：这有点像去年发生的情况，当时哈里森·巴恩斯 (Harrison Barnes) 连续首发了多少场比赛？比如，上百场。
汤姆·奥斯本：是的。是啊，那是一个他非常珍视的纪录。[笑声] 你知道，对他而言放弃并不容易。但他还是顾全大局了。
迈克·芬格：他做到了，而且我们忘了，不应该说我们，我有时会忘记，嗯，一个NBA赛季有多漫长，球员们看起来像是重要拼图。让我们，比如说，让我们回顾去年感恩节前后，那时哈里森·巴恩斯在电视转播中是命中率百分百先生，你知道，并且，我记得赛季初有场对孟菲斯的比赛，那是场NBC直播的比赛，他在比赛末段有一波大爆发，包括一个像是21岁小伙子才能做出的扣篮。呃，你记得那场比赛吗？那场比赛里，哈里森·巴恩斯就像是这场对孟菲斯胜利的明星，你会想，哇，这支球队能进季后赛了。我们当时还处于赛季的那个节点。这支球队能进季后赛，而哈里森·巴恩斯，他就要成为自由球员了，他们得重新签下他。他们可能得花大价钱重新签下他，因为哈里森·巴恩斯将会成为季后赛之旅的重要组成部分。然而，一个NBA赛季是如此漫长，到了三月、四月、五月、六月，哈里森·巴恩斯已经坐在板凳席上观战了。哈里森·巴恩斯不再是重要组成部分。他们喜欢有他在身边。他是更衣室里受到重视的一员。他仍在一些季后赛比赛中获得出场时间，但他在球队中的优先级排到第10、第11位。我提起这个的原因是，我想这正好印证了你关于就从去年结束时的阵容开始新赛季的观点。你让朱利安和德文留在首发里，然后事情会发生变化。呃，年轻球员会崭露头角。也许托拜厄斯会逐渐适应一个角色。也许，就像哈里森·巴恩斯的情况一样，会有伤病出现。总会有伤病促使某种调整。然后，当调整发生时，也许一切就变得更容易了。有时候这些问题会自行解决。
汤姆·奥斯本：而且这是一个绝佳的问题。并且呃，你知道，托拜厄斯，我敢肯定所有这些情况都已经和他讨论过了。我确信他来到这里时，就知道所有这些情况都可能发生。而且，你知道，他的目标，他公开声明的目标，是赢得总冠军。所以，我确信无论他扮演什么样的角色，都不会对他产生决定性的影响。
迈克·芬格：这点很重要，而且很可能也印证了你关于赛季初保持现状的想法，因为嗯，托拜厄斯·哈里斯是那个主动加入，了解情况，知道自己要做什么的人。
汤姆·奥斯本：对，他是在了解情况的基础上加盟的，是的。
迈克·芬格：所以，相比于把朱利安·尚帕尼、德文·瓦塞尔叫回来，然后说，“哦，我们要把你们挪到一边，给托拜厄斯·哈里斯腾位置，” 你知道，我觉得更合理的做法是让托拜厄斯·哈里斯来的时候就知道，“嘿，这个轮换阵容已经相当满了。你可能一开始要打替补，也可能某个时候会首发。” 我觉得那是可能性最大的情况，汤姆。不过，这又给了我一个切入的话题。我觉得朱利安·尚帕尼和托拜厄斯·哈里斯的问题，比起后场的迪伦·哈珀情况，没那么棘手，没那么令人头疼。我觉得后场的情况会更需要小心处理。
汤姆·奥斯本：有人把这叫做房间里的大象，这可不是陈词滥调。
迈克·芬格：是啊。
汤姆·奥斯本：是啊。
迈克·芬格：而且，我看不到这会爆发，比如球员会撅嘴、会生气之类的。但是，就是那天赋摆在那里，还有……任何一个——我不知道你有没有看，可能没有，汤姆，因为你在沿海岸线开车兜风，享受快乐时光，还有把车开到没油之类的事——但我完全不是一个足球迷——因为世界杯是如此盛大的赛事，而且它就在夏天播出，人们都在享受它，我确实看了一些足球。我并不太懂我在看什么，但就像任何运动一样，总有那么些你不熟悉的球员，他们明显就是“厉害的家伙”，如果你明白我的意思的话。就像，你不需要很懂这项运动就能知道，哦，那家伙——法国的姆巴佩，阿根廷的梅西——那些家伙的动作方式就是和别人不一样。而且，他们明显天赋异禀。我认为，一个随便看看今年NBA季后赛的球迷，在看马刺队比赛时，当迪伦·哈珀上场，他看起来就像是那样的球员。对吧？就像，那家伙真的很会打篮球。你不需要很懂战术、各种细节，就能意识到那家伙真的非常出色。所以，总会到某个时刻，你会觉得，那家伙需要大量的上场时间。他是这支球队的核心部分。是维克托·文班亚马，但你甚至可以争论说迪伦·哈珀是球队长期计划里的二号人物。斯蒂芬·卡斯尔也在竞争行列，但迪伦·哈珀是那个上升势头迅猛的三号人物。呃，我们今年夏天每个播客都在重复这一点。我们很可能在夏天余下的几个播客里还会重复。但是，那可能是首要问题。嗯，也许是第二重要，因为第一重要的永远是保持健康，但对于这支球队来说，今年最大的非伤病问题就是迪伦·哈珀的定位问题。我现在还没有答案。但是，呃，我认为你应该相信马刺队的管理层。那些负责人，布莱恩·莱特、RC·巴福德、米奇·约翰逊，在处理这类问题上有着相当不错的记录。
汤姆·奥斯本：而且那个板凳席也需要一点朱利安·尚帕尼的活力，呃，在经历了上赛季那样的结局之后。[笑声] 你知道。呃，哈珀，是的，就像我们说德文靠表现赢得了首发位置一样，你也可以为迪伦提出同样的理由，你知道，当他在总决赛中健康出场时，或者在整个季后赛期间，他基本上都证明了自己。
迈克·芬格：是的。而且，总会有球员受伤缺阵的时候。我认为，嗯，这又是这套阵容的另一个奢侈之处：随便点一个队里的球员，假设他们因为腿筋拉伤之类的要缺席一个月，那个球员身后都有人能顶上来。这包括，我觉得今年你更有能力应对维克托·文班亚马缺阵一周或两周的情况。比如，卢克·科内特 (Luke Kornet) 在常规赛非常有用，他上赛季打出了扎实的一个赛季。人们因为他季后赛表现挣扎而忘记了这一点，但我觉得让他首发一两周，并让小塔里斯·里德从替补席……我想和你稍微聊聊你的夏季联赛观感，那个——
汤姆·奥斯本：是啊。是啊。
迈克·芬格：——呃，你知道，那家伙已经准备好上场了。他多大了，汤姆？22、23岁？
汤姆·奥斯本：22岁，22岁。
迈克·芬格：嗯，而且他可能是那种，如果卢克·科内特或者维克托·文班亚马需要休战一两周，他已经准备好承担替补角色的人。你可能不会想立刻把他扔进NBA总决赛里，但是……这又是个切入话题，汤姆。你对夏季联赛的印象是什么？像小塔里斯·里德这样的球员今年能帮上忙吗？
汤姆·奥斯本：那家伙很强硬。他很强硬。
迈克·芬格：他是的。[笑声]
汤姆·奥斯本：我是说，嗯，我在拉斯维加斯写过一篇关于他在队友中有多受欢迎的文章。我是说，除了文班亚马那种因为显而易见的原因而受人喜爱之外，我没见过哪个球员，你知道，队友们会这么不自觉地被他吸引。他们爱这个家伙。不仅仅是因为他的比赛表现，还有，你知道，他的为人，他把自己打理得很好。嗯，你知道，是的。他一场又一场地给人留下深刻印象，就凭他冲击进攻篮板、补篮得分的本事，你知道。所以，是的，他是一个真正的亮点。嗯，乔丹·麦克劳克林 (Jordan McLaughlin)，如果我们想全面聊聊夏季联赛的话，你知道，他就像是一个运动能力更强的特雷·琼斯，嗯，这是件好事。他同样具有那种竞争心，但嗯，是的，从这届选秀中，我们确实得到了一些可以培养的东西。
迈克·芬格：关于那两个首轮秀，我喜欢的一点是，我不认为……我想提醒大家，我觉得大多数人都意识到了，昆坦斯今年上场次数，如果我们设个盘口，就半场，搞个大小球，我可能会选小。[笑声] 就像，真的有很好的机会，昆坦斯今年打不了NBA比赛。但这没关系。他就是一个高潜力投资。他是个19岁的年轻人，天花板超级高，嗯，关键是他能搭档维克托·文班亚马一起上场，未来多年都可以当文班亚马的替补，成为一个在防守端真正意义上的强大力量。而且，嗯，这完全没问题。然后，我认为他们处理那个选秀首轮最酷的地方在于，你抓住了那个机会，因为所有人都吓坏了，不想用自己的首轮签选一个明年可能上不了场的人。你不想觉得自己浪费了一个首轮签，并且让你的球迷失望，好像你没有首轮签一样。然而，马刺利用了那个机会，他们觉得他有点被低估了，他一路滑到了他们的签位，这个机会太好了，不能错过。然后，你用另一个首轮签——
汤姆·奥斯本：嗯嗯。
迈克·芬格：——选了相反类型的，一个下限极高的球员，一个能马上准备好的球员，就像汤姆说的，22岁。而且，他能在本赛季就上场提供帮助。嗯，并且发挥作用。我不觉得他一开赛就会进入轮换，但如果有人受伤，如果你需要有人顶上来，我真的很喜欢他融入球队的方式。而且，我只是觉得，呃，这得向那里的选秀团队脱帽致敬，他们成功做到了这点。
汤姆·奥斯本：是的。我同意，嗯，杰登，你不需要把他藏到欧洲去，就把他藏在训练馆里就行。[笑声] 而且，呃，你知道，嗯，是的。我认为最明智、非常聪明的做法，就是今年让他"红衫"一年。并且，嗯，是的。嗯——
迈克·芬格：让他保持健康。
汤姆·奥斯本：——是的，小塔里斯，再说一次，你知道，我们总是这么说：那只是夏季联赛。但是，你知道，他身上就是有某种特质，看起来好像他准备好马上干些蓝领工作了。
迈克·芬格：马刺队和康涅狄格大学的教练组关系非常好，嗯，或者说建立了良好的关系。他们在那边花了大量时间——
汤姆·奥斯本：是啊。是啊，是啊。
迈克·芬格：——在斯蒂芬·卡斯尔那年。而且，我在斯蒂芬·卡斯尔的选秀大会上和丹·赫利聊过，在走廊里碰到他，他当时说，所有去他们训练和比赛的NBA球队中，没有任何一支球队像马刺那样频繁地出现在那支赢得全国冠军的康涅狄格哈士奇队周围。那一年，他们大量观摩了斯蒂芬·卡斯尔。他们建立了关系，当你那么频繁地出现在那里，你就会和项目里的教练、人员建立关系。所以，我认为他们对小塔里斯·里德非常了解。如果你是一名马刺球迷，这应该让你对他们掌握的信息量以及他们对那个小伙子的了解感到放心。所以，那可能是一笔好买卖。呃，大卫·琼斯·加西亚回来了，汤姆。
汤姆·奥斯本：是的，他回来了。而且，呃，他们对他不离不弃。脚踝伤势，你知道，那次伤病中断了他相当出色的发展联盟赛季。他们坚持留下了他。他回来了。我当时想，可能有一些来自其他地方的报价，比如美国以外的，但是，呃，是的，他们喜欢他。他们喜欢他的个性，就像米奇说的那样。他是个充满活力的得分手，你知道，以他的技术特点来说，他能有多高产就有多高产。但与此同时，他也努力在其他方面变得更好。那场他对阵亚特兰大的比赛，你知道，那场他有点接管比赛的味道，你一看数据，12分，但他还送出了6次助攻，就是填满了数据栏。所以，他们喜欢他。他对更衣室气氛有好处。他是有益于球队的那种人。而且，他是他们想要投入精力去培养的球员之一。
迈克·芬格：他们在更衣室里非常喜欢他。是真的喜欢，他们非常喜欢更衣室里有那家伙。
汤姆·奥斯本：我不知道，我猜上周你们可能聊过比利·多诺万了，但那是一步好棋，一步好棋啊。
迈克·芬格：我们聊过了。这是之前讨论过的事，当你还在的时候，嗯，也许是夏初，关于那个想法，嗯，我猜是肖恩·斯威尼去奥兰多魔术队拿到主教练职位的时候，我们提到过，那次讨论你可能也参与了，关于失去肖恩·斯威尼去魔术队是多大的损失。但是，这是马刺教练组的新纪元，他们会持续吸引到下一个想要成为主教练的最佳人选，因为人们会看到，如果你想在这个联盟当主教练，你可以来米奇手下工作一年，在一个拥有维克托·文班亚马、斯蒂芬·卡斯尔和迪伦·哈珀的教练组里工作，然后你就会得到机会。对吧。我完全没有负面意思，但我不认为比利·多诺万会是马刺队的长期助理教练。我认为他会在某个时候再次获得主教练职位。这是一条很好的途径。然后，下一个想要进入这种情况的人可以进来并这样做。我觉得这是个很酷的局面。波波维奇曾经有段时间就是这样，他培养出了像艾米·乌度卡、威尔·哈迪，还有呃，迈克·布登霍尔泽和迈克·布朗，[笑声] 奎因·斯奈德，所有那些类型的教练。然后，有段时间他不再出产这类教练了，因为马刺进不了季后赛。现在，我们又进入那个时代了。但是，你期待比利·多诺万能带来些什么吗？
汤姆·奥斯本：是的。是的，当然。我是说，这是一笔很棒的引援。他会在很多方面提供帮助。而且，米奇，你知道，米奇，他刚刚经历了一次艰难的季后赛之旅。我不是说他需要——我觉得即使没有比利·多诺万这笔引援，他也能做得很好——但这对米奇没坏处，你知道，这是一步好棋。而且，呃，你知道，我不知道，你继续，迈克。
迈克·芬格：不，我只是想说，就像你说的，每个教练，即使是经验丰富的教练，比如格雷格·波波维奇、菲尔·杰克逊，都有一个类似于军师的角色。[笑声] 你知道？嗯，波波维奇身边很多年都有汉克·伊根。
汤姆·奥斯本：是的，是啊。是啊。
迈克·芬格：是的。你需要，你不想你教练组里的所有助理教练都是乳臭未干的年轻人，你知道，呃，都是正在上升期的。你想有那种久经沙场的老将。所以，说米奇需要那样一个人，并不是对他的侮辱，因为每个教练都需要那样一个人。但是，在我粗暴打断你之前，你刚才想说什么？
汤姆·奥斯本：哦，不，你没有打断我。但是，嗯，我不知道在他这个年纪他的抱负是什么，但你知道，能接触到科利斯·威廉姆森 (Corliss Williamson) 是件很有趣的事。
迈克·芬格：是啊。
汤姆·奥斯本：兄弟，我真希望我们有更多时间和机会接触这些助理教练。因为能在史总身边工作，真的很有趣。他是个好人。他真的是。
迈克·芬格：他是个好人。就像我们之前知道的那样，但能听到你再次确认总是好的。我很高兴看到他今年获得了一些公众的关注。当你们，你和杰夫，总是去报道夏季联赛，有机会和那些赛季中无法公开发表言论的助理教练聊聊，那很酷，能看到一些科利斯的采访。我有机会在他第一个赛季时偶尔和他随便聊聊，他真的看起来是个非常讨人喜欢的家伙，而且所有队员都喜欢他。我很好奇——我不觉得他们已经——他们还没发布关于所有晋升和留任人员的官方新闻稿。那一直是个有趣的时刻。
汤姆·奥斯本：通常八月份会发布，是的。
迈克·芬格：通常八月份发布，但我希望他们能带回拉沙德·刘易斯，因为我真的觉得他——他去年和年轻球员们做了很多工作——
汤姆·奥斯本：他在维加斯现身了。
迈克·芬格：——去年和年轻球员一起。而且，呃，我觉得他会是个值得带回来的好人选。但是，他们教练组上上下下都有人才。我们季后赛的扣将之一，约什·布兰登。[笑声] 他，他可能成为那个教练组的一员，不过那将是八月份值得期待的事情了，看看哪些教练组成员会回归，哪些是他们新增加的。汤姆，赛程要出来了，我知道在奥斯本和麦克唐纳家，那可是大日子，因为八月份会有一场大的选秀，决定谁去哪个客场之旅。
汤姆·奥斯本：老天。
迈克·芬格：嗯，既然勒布朗·詹姆斯已经签约了，NBA——
汤姆·奥斯本：ESPN可以，ESPN可以分两晚电视直播这个，你知道，奥斯本和麦克唐纳的家庭谈判。
迈克·芬格：——关于分配客场比赛的谈判——
汤姆·奥斯本：是啊。是啊。
迈克·芬格：——绝对是档精彩的真人秀。
汤姆·奥斯本：会是档很棒的真人秀节目。
迈克·芬格：大问题就是，不是要过多透露家庭生活，但麦克唐纳家里确实有小孩子。奥斯本家没有。所以，这样说是不是意味着——因为你是个好队友，而且你重视麦克唐纳一家和他本人，你已经自愿承担圣诞节的比赛，[笑声] 包括万圣节、感恩节、圣诞节。
汤姆·奥斯本：万圣节、感恩节、圣诞节，是的。
迈克·芬格：是的。因为，你知道，麦克唐纳家的孩子们需要在节假日有父亲陪伴，因为他是他们如此好的榜样，是个如此好的父亲。所以，我很好奇你对今年圣诞节怎么看。你和奥斯本夫人是不是又要上路出差了，还是你觉得亚当·席尔瓦和蒂姆·弗兰克那帮人会允许你今年在圣安东尼奥报道一场圣诞大战？
汤姆·奥斯本：哇哦。嗯，回到麦迪逊广场花园（MSG），那会是一场相当盛大的圣诞大事件。
迈克·芬格：你对此不介意。
汤姆·奥斯本：是啊，当然。是啊。
迈克·芬格：是啊。
汤姆·奥斯本：当然，在纽约过圣诞，很愉快。
迈克·芬格：纽约过圣诞，很愉快，或许地上还有些雪，然后在赛后一小时被赶出MSG的工作室。[笑声]
汤姆·奥斯本：那太残酷了。我一直在等总决赛时也来这一出，但他们给了我们一点宽限。不多，就多一点时间。
迈克·芬格：你在海岸边开车，然后把车开到没油的时候，有没有关注那个新闻……就是说我们多年来去MSG采访的时候都被追踪了，而那栋楼里一直有监控在进行？
汤姆·奥斯本：可怕的故事。
迈克·芬格：可怕的故事。
汤姆·奥斯本：可怕的故事，是的。我没有——
迈克·芬格：毫不夸张，绝对恶心。
汤姆·奥斯本：是啊，是挺恶心的。是的。我百分之百同意你。嗯，是啊。世界上恶心事不少，但——
迈克·芬格：确实是。
汤姆·奥斯本：——但在洛杉矶冷水峡谷可没什么恶心的。[笑声] 你知道，科利斯·威廉姆森给我的感觉就是那种会停下来，给遇到困难的人伸出援手，帮你把没油的车推到路边的人。
迈克·芬格：所以那件事最后怎么解决的？AAA来了，带着一加仑壶汽油加到你的车里？还是——
汤姆·奥斯本：半加仑。半加仑。[笑声]
迈克·芬格：[笑声]
汤姆·奥斯本：而且，我不想诽谤AAA。他们很棒，但是，嗯，[笑声] 但我不得不滑行。到下一个加油站有15分钟路程，在谷底，你知道，你翻过那座山，离开好莱坞山进入圣费尔南多谷。所以，下一个在15分钟车程外。幸运的是，我们当时是下坡，所以我滑行了不少路。是的。
迈克·芬格：他们只给了你半加仑？
汤姆·奥斯本：是啊，是啊。是啊，是啊，是啊。情况挺难的。
迈克·芬格：你不能给他们6美元来个一整加仑吗？或者不管南加州那边卖多少钱？
汤姆·奥斯本：他们不是那样讨价还价的。但他们——
迈克·芬格：太离谱了！所以你就——
汤姆·奥斯本：不，他们赶到得很及时，我完全没有诽谤他们的意思。然后呃——
迈克·芬格：所以，所以，AAA给了你半加仑——明确一下，AAA给了你半加仑——
汤姆·奥斯本：是啊，他们赶到得很及时。
迈克·芬格：嗯嗯。
汤姆·奥斯本：是啊，他们赶到得很及时。我完全没有要诽谤他们的意思，然后——
迈克·芬格：但他们给你的油箱加了半加仑油，然后就跟你告别了？
汤姆·奥斯本：是啊，可能是一加仑。可能更接近一加仑。但是，是的，我被挥手告别了。
迈克·芬格：所以，即使在他们走了之后，你还是很紧张，你肯定紧张自己会不会又没油。
汤姆·奥斯本：但是，如果真那样，迈克，会有很多人，好莱坞山那里有很多好心人，会来帮你的。[笑声] 我跟你说，我经历了那件事，那件事，让我对这个世界感觉很好。
迈克·芬格：嗯，听众们离开这期节目时，可能也会对世界感觉良好。这是恢复对人性的信心的马刺内幕版。我想你将再次去休假，对吧，汤姆？下次你不会和我们一起了？又将是杰夫和他的闷闷不乐了？
汤姆·奥斯本：没错。
迈克·芬格：所以，这是我们的最后机会。
汤姆·奥斯本：是啊。
迈克·芬格：好的。
汤姆·奥斯本：是啊，杰夫肯定会精力充沛的，我确定。
迈克·芬格：嗯，你有什么大计划想和我们的听众分享吗？还是想在下个月到来之前都保密？
汤姆·奥斯本：不，就是要大量阅读。
迈克·芬格：啊，太激动人心了。阅读可不会开到没油。
汤姆·奥斯本：嘿，一本好书，嗯，也是一本令人不安的书，《尘雾之家》。是德州大学奥斯汀分校校友，安德烈·迪比写的。我多年前看过那部电影。
迈克·芬格：是的。
汤姆·奥斯本：嗯，大概2000年，是2000-2001年的电影。但是，那本书，嗯，强烈推荐。是的，令人不安，但是，是本好书。我不知道它能不能恢复对人性的信心，但它会让你思考那些让我们感到沮丧的小事。是啊。也许那些都不值得。
迈克·芬格：嗯，汤姆·奥斯本，在这期仲夏的马刺内幕节目中，你出色地帮助我们恢复了一些对人性的信心。我们下次会想你的。杰夫·麦克唐纳会来。在那之前，我们会记住，让我们的感恩之心大于我们的期望，我们会彼此照顾，无论你是在月桂谷的路中间还是别的什么地方，并且我们将保持真实。
由生成式 AI 翻译，翻译内容可能不准确或不完整，以原文为准。
查看原文：Mitch Johnson’s next challenge
Mitch Johnson’s next challenge
Columnist Mike Finger and beat writer Tom Orsborn discuss the Spurs’ offseason decision to bring back the entire NBA Finals rotation, how newcomers Tobias Harris and Tarris Reed Jr. can supplement that group, and why coach Mitch Johnson’s biggest task next season might be keeping everyone happy.
Suggested reading:
Why Tarris Reed Jr.'s Summer Spurs teammates sing his praises
Spurs will be counting on newly signed Tobias Harris to help in two areas
Spurs re-sign ‘dynamic’ guard David Jones Garcia to another two-way contract
Here is the transcript of the podcast:
Mike Finger: From a highly secure network of top secret locations across South Texas, this is the Spurs Insider Summer Vacation Edition. I am Mike Finger, joined by San Antonio Express-News Spurs beat writer, Tom Orsborn, fresh off his brief respite in July. Jeff McDonald is taking his respite. We’re going to miss him dearly this week, Tom, dearly we’re going to miss Jeff. Hope Hope he’s he’s uh recharging all his energetic, upbeat, positive batteries. Uh wondering how how you re-energized your um your upbeat batteries, Tom. We missed you last time.
Tom Orsborn: Well, um good to be back, Mike. Good to see you. It’s just kind of one respite after another these days. And yeah, how did I spend my little respite? Um my wife and I left Las Vegas…
Mike Finger: Uh-huh.
Tom Orsborn: …and drove to Los Angeles for a week along the beaches. Um very nice, very nice time.
Mike Finger: I bet that was nice.
Tom Orsborn: Marina del Rey, Santa Monica, points uh in between and outside. And had a very good time. We had one uh one adventure, though.
Mike Finger: Uh-huh.
Tom Orsborn: We wanted to eat at a restaurant called Casa Vega, which you may be familiar with.
Mike Finger: Okay.
Tom Orsborn: And um it was seen in “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.” It’s been there for a for a long time. Good food. So, to get to Casa Vega, you’ve got to go through Laurel Canyon. And so, we’re on—
Mike Finger: The renowned Laurel Canyon. Yes, through the Hollywood Hills.
Tom Orsborn: Through the Hollywood Hills. So, we’re on we’re on Coldwater Canyon. And, lo and behold, we’re we’re having a heck of a day. I mean, it was a fun day. One of those days where everything is just, you know, all work things are gone. You’re just enjoying life.
Mike Finger: Uh-huh.
Tom Orsborn: And, lo and behold, we ran out of gas.
Mike Finger: [laughter] Oh my god! How do you run out of gas in 2026, Tom?
Tom Orsborn: That’s true. And, it hasn’t happened to me since my college days.
Mike Finger: Uh-huh.
Tom Orsborn: So—
Mike Finger: There were no warnings in the rental vehicle? There are no lights that come on?
Tom Orsborn: Okay. It’s it’s entirely my fault.
Mike Finger: Uh-huh.
Tom Orsborn: Um I had uh we had put some gas in um I think two days before, uh filled it up halfway. So, we’re thinking that’s good. But I didn’t factor in the stop-and-go traffic in LA.
Mike Finger: Uh-huh.
Tom Orsborn: Um, you know, you got the air conditioning going. There’s just there’s just factors that go into uh gas being depleted. So, but here’s my here’s where I’m getting at. Here’s the here’s the—
Mike Finger: Uh-huh.
Tom Orsborn: Uh so, we run out of gas. We’re in the middle of the lane. Thank god it isn’t on the highway.
Mike Finger: This is in the middle of a street? You’re blocking traffic?
Tom Orsborn: It’s in the middle of Coldwater Canyon. And, if you’re familiar with the Hollywood Hills, it’s hills. So, we’re going up slightly, we ran out of gas, turned the emergency lights on. People are going around us. No one’s no one’s freaking out, no one’s honking, but it’s an uncomfortable situation. I call AAA.
Mike Finger: Uh-huh.
Tom Orsborn: AAA always comes through, but it’s going to be a while.
Mike Finger: Uh-huh.
Tom Orsborn: And uh, but here’s where I’m getting at. A guy stops, pulls over to the side of the road, comes over to the car, says, “Can I help you? I’ve been in this situation before. What can I do to help?”
Mike Finger: Uh-huh.
Tom Orsborn: And, he gets out, you know, we put the car in neutral, we’re trying to push it to the side. Can’t do it, you know, just me and this guy. But three other guys stop.
Mike Finger: [laughter] Uh-huh.
Tom Orsborn: Three other men stop and uh help us out. So, just it was it was a bad situation, but it turned into a good situation. It warmed my heart—
Mike Finger: Yeah.
Tom Orsborn: —knowing that there are folks out there just uh, in Los Angeles, uh wanting to stop and help you.
Mike Finger: And one of those men was Luka Dončić. Luka Dončić. [laughter]
Tom Orsborn: No, it wasn’t. The first guy who stopped, his name was Mendel. That’s all I got, his name was Mendel.
Mike Finger: Mendel? That sounds made up.
Tom Orsborn: No, Mendel, he took charge, um you know. As he said, “I’ve been in this situation before and I want to help.”
Mike Finger: [laughter] So anyway.
Tom Orsborn: Yeah.
Mike Finger: I mean, gas, it’s the straight and narrow path. There’s there’s issues going on these days. It it can be hard to come by. I guess I got to cut you some slack. You know, we are we are in strange times.
Tom Orsborn: I’m accountable, Mike. I said it’s all it’s entirely was entirely my fault. But, you know, like I said, it was a bad situation, but it turned into a good one because all these guys stopped to help.
Mike Finger: Well, that is a good moral. Bad situation could turn out better. Uh, you know—
Tom Orsborn: How we segue into Spurs basketball, I do not know.
Mike Finger: I’m not sure if that gives me a segue. I’m trying, because the Spurs have not I guess the bad situation, the the being left in the middle of the road, is blowing a 25-point lead in Game 4 of the NBA Finals, Game 3 of the NBA Game 4 of the NBA Finals. And uh trying to find a way to make the best of it. And the uh local Cagers are are getting through a um kind of peaceful summer, Tom, serene summer, a Tom Orsborn-esque summer, where there has not been a lot of activity. They were not in on the LeBron James sweepstakes. Um they’re basically bringing back the band. I I got to talk to Jeff last time about just the summer as a whole when you were still coming back from Vegas, or maybe moving from Vegas to LA, where where you were having a hard time finding gas stations. And uh we were discussing uh that the the the strategy this summer has been to bring back the whole core, add the one piece that everyone agreed they needed, which was somebody to play the four, somebody to play in the frontcourt alongside Victor Wembanyama, provide a little bit of defense, a little bit of scoring. That person is Tobias Harris. Draft a couple guys who might be able to help you in the next couple of years. And uh basically move forward from there. I’m wondering what your thoughts are on just the Spurs summer as a whole.
Tom Orsborn: Well, let’s not forget, they re-committed to David Jones Garcia.
Mike Finger: That’s true. That’s the headline of this podcast.
Tom Orsborn: Yeah. Um, no, yeah, you’re right. It’s uh, it’s status quo, it’s no panic, it’s it’s not making any kind of move that um, you know, will disrupt the chemistry, um disrupt the team that won amazingly 62 games and reached the NBA Finals.
Mike Finger: Uh-huh.
Tom Orsborn: I mean, uh, you you tinker with that. You don’t overhaul. So, um, you know, they’re they’re doing it the right way, I think. Um, you know, they still have a roster spot to fill. Probably going to be one of those two-way guys they promote.
Mike Finger: Uh-huh.
Tom Orsborn: And, uh, you know, um, yeah. So, they’re they’re doing things the right way. Doing doing things very Brian Wright-like, very Spurs-like.
Mike Finger: On on that note, uh I think some some economic, financial housekeeping, they’re about 2 million short of the tax, and I don’t think the tax is a no-go for them. But, it it would make sense to not do it if you’re that close. So, what you just said makes sense, maybe promote one of the two-way basically, yeah, you have 14 full-time contracts, you have three guys including David Jones Garcia on two-way contracts. They parted ways with Emmanuel Miller, right? Um not necessarily to never see him again, but just to to make room for uh uh David Jones Garcia back on a two-way. Um he’s on a two-way. So, you have one uh spot left open, which you do not have to fill, but can be filled, on the 15-man part of the roster. And, to uh fill that for the less than 2 point whatever it is to stay below the tax probably is a realistic expectation. But, all of that is to say that um that the roster is pretty much set, I think we agree. And, this what what you have is what you see is what you’re going to get. And, there’s not going to be a a earth-shattering acquisition over the next couple months before training camp um to add to what to what this roster looks like. And, so it we can start to look at expectations. And, while you were in uh the middle of Laurel Canyon holding up traffic, I’m not sure what day that was, but uh I got to uh go on my big excursion, which is the one I make every every month or so, to uh a local uh taqueria to have old-man breakfast with um Mike Monroe, friends of the podcast Mike Monroe and Buck Harvey. And, they they like to they still have basketball takes. And, their basketball take, years and years and years of experience covering the San Antonio Spurs and the NBA, and they pitched to me the idea that uh they’re not so sure the even though they’re they’re very high on the local Cagers, very high on the San Antonio Spurs, they think that this might be a regular season where they they the Spurs don’t win 62 games. Maybe they don’t win 55 games. Does that make sense to you? I I think I’m kind of on board there. Maybe things don’t go as well, you hit a uh you hit an injury patch at some point. Uh after you’ve been in the NBA Finals, you’ve made that run, maybe the motivation isn’t there to play day in and day out. I I’m wondering what your take is on the Buck Harvey, Mike Monroe take that maybe this is more of a 54 or 55-win regular season for the Spurs.
Tom Orsborn: Well, knee-jerk reaction: so what? I mean, is that any big deal? You know? Um—
Mike Finger: [laughter]
Tom Orsborn: —but, uh, that’s part of the journey again, you know. And and they’re probably right, um, you know. Uh, they they’ve got to overcome these, you know, challenges. They’re they’re facing a big challenge to overcome is how how they ended in the Finals last year, but um, that’s motivation. I mean, who says it’s going to be easy? What, are they supposed to win every game and uh, you know, sweep the Finals? It’s going to be tough, yeah.
Mike Finger: And, and I think that’s kind of the point there is that um now that you’ve seen that it all comes down to how you perform in the playoffs—
Tom Orsborn: Right, right.
Mike Finger: —there sort of is that danger of the “so what” if you don’t win 62 again. Um, the Spurs have won NBA championships, I believe I don’t I did not look this up, but I believe they’ve won NBA championships in seasons when they haven’t won 56 games, 50 that I think you can win NBA titles winning 52 games in the regular season. It’s been done. Um so, I think just bigger picture here, what we’re looking at in terms of the story of next season, it’s going to be different, because when we’re covering that team throughout last season, and we made our trip to the um NBA Cup extravaganza in Vegas early on in December, that was the first big step and it was so new, it was this team that had missed the playoffs six years in a row. Uh, it was so excited to be there, and this was a big step, and then there’s the winning streak that follows that, there’s the the the surge to 50 wins, and then 60 wins, and then 62 wins. And, then every every step along the the way seems like such a big, uh, momentous occasion for a team that hadn’t dealt with it for a while. I think it’s going to be a different team to cover this year in terms of excitement, in terms of expectation, in terms of all that stuff. And, that’ll be uh, that’ll be sort of fascinating to watch unfold, I think.
Tom Orsborn: Yeah, yeah. I mean, uh, there was a certain element of catching people a little bit off guard. I know that sounds crazy when you’ve got Wemby on your roster, but, you know, they uh, the league didn’t expect the level of consistency and and uh, play that the Spurs showed down the stretch. So, yeah, teams are going to be ready. Um, that’s what competition’s all about, right, Mike? You know? Uh, so, it’s um, yeah, it’s going to be a fun season. Uh, I guess what’s not set is the set in stone yet is the starting roster. Have we talked Did you guys talk about that last week?
Mike Finger: Starting lineup, yeah.
Tom Orsborn: Yeah, starting lineup, yeah. Starting lineup, uh, Tobias, uh, Julian. What do you do there?
Mike Finger: I, we had our uh our rough guesses. And to to to replay some of that conversation, um first of all, first of all,
Tom Orsborn: Yeah.
Mike Finger: —uh, it’s over the starting lineup is overrated. I think we can all agree on that. Every NBA coach that we talked to throughout the season says that, you know, like uh, too much is made of who the first five are. Everyone’s going to play their 25 minutes. Um, that is true. Second of all, it does matter to certain people. It mattered to Manu Ginóbili back when he was coming off the bench. Like, it bothered him when he wasn’t starting, because every athlete has a certain amount of pride and wants to have his name announced on the PA before the game starts and to be out there with the with the group when the game starts. Um, players do have pride. And, I think that’s part of the assignment, if not the challenge, for a young coach like Mitch Johnson, is deciding first of all, which lineup combination combinations work well together. Second of all, how to handle the egos. Not that this is a locker room full of egos, but it’s NBA players. It’s professional athletes making millions of dollars per year. Um, how does he how does Mitch Johnson um make everyone feel valuable and valued and uh important to the operation? Um, that’s a big part of being a head coach. And, we can run through the scenario. Since it’s July the 20-whatever, Tom, there’s not a whole heck of a lot else to talk about. So, we can go through that’s a good topic. We can go through the idea that I think Stephon Castle is going to be a starter.
Tom Orsborn: Right.
Mike Finger: I think that Victor Wembanyama is going to be a starter. I think that De’Aaron Fox is going to be a starter. And, beyond the other two spots, you have guys who did really well in starting positions last year. Devin Vassell—
Tom Orsborn: Devin’s kind of earned it, I think.
Mike Finger: Devin Vassell has absolutely earned it. Devin Vassell was the as I’ve said multiple times over the past few months, was the uh peak version of Devin Vassell that you drafted back in 2020. 2020? 2021? 2020. This is this is this is the best case scenario for Devin Vassell. And, he is exactly what you wanted him to be. He fits the role. He he plays alongside the point guards well. He plays alongside Victor well. Uh, he does it at both ends of the court. You wrote how many Devin Vassell sidebars during the playoffs, Tom? I mean, 20—
Tom Orsborn: Quite a few, all warranted. All warranted.
Mike Finger: —all over and over and over again, pointing out how well he did at both ends of the court. He was like that was there was that thing that uh where he was like blocking seven-footers every night. It was crazy! In every series, he blocked a seven-footer. Um, it’s hard to say Devin Vassell is the guy who needs to go to the bench, is is basically what I’m getting at.
Tom Orsborn: Right.
Mike Finger: Julian Champagnie, the one of the discoveries of the decade in the NBA, one of the values of the decade, the bargains of the decade, the bargains of the decade in terms of finding somebody off the scrap heap, a guy who couldn’t even hold on to a two-way gig um and becomes a an important part of a team that makes the NBA Finals. Uh, broke some Danny Green three-point records during the postseason, um plays really good defense at on at on the wing, some I mean, was was having to knock bodies with some power forwards, starting at power forward for you. It’s hard to say that guy needs to go to the bench. Um, but you sign a guy like Tobias Harris, who has some skins on the wall, played pretty well for stretches during the postseason for Detroit, um and then you have the elephant in the room, the Dylan Harper, who was a dynamo during the playoffs, one of the stories of some of those games. And, he has earned a promotion. So, what do you do with that? That’s four guys that I mentioned for two spots. How do you, if you’re Mitch Johnson, Tom—
Tom Orsborn: Right.
Mike Finger: —fill those Let’s let’s take those two spots. Let’s let’s assume that De’Aaron Fox, because he’s the highest-paid player on the team, is is the engine that that runs the Spurs’ fast-paced style, he’s going to start. Stephon Castle’s going to start. Victor’s going to start. Two spots, I gave you four names. What what’s your first inclination there?
Tom Orsborn: Well, a case can be made that you just you just start the season with what what you ended the season with. Uh, they won 62 games, made the NBA Finals. That starting five, um, you know, did pretty damn well. Uh, so maybe you start the season that way.
Mike Finger: That is Devin Vassell and Julian Champagnie.
Tom Orsborn: Yes, and then you tinker. And, yeah, you’re right, starting lineups don’t matter, but I think after the All-Star break, they do kind of matter. You want to get get everyone in a role and and uh, hitting on all cylinders entering the playoffs. But, you know, Harris has, like you said, the skins on the wall. He started 63 games last year, I think, last four seasons, 70-plus. Uh, it’s going to be hard not to not to start him, but then what do you do with Dylan? Uh, [laughter] you know, these are these are tough questions. And um, you know, the good thing is, as you pointed out, it’s a locker room that, yes, there are egos, yes, there’s professional pride, but no one’s crazy in that regard. So, Mitch uh, Mitch can tinker. And I I kind of like that—
Mike Finger: And I I kind of like that—
Tom Orsborn: I like that case, you know, like I say, you started the you ended the season pretty damn well, um, you know, with that starting five. Maybe start the season with it and go from there and then tinker.
Mike Finger: It’s sort of what happened um last year, where Harrison Barnes had started how many games in a row? Like, hundreds.
Tom Orsborn: Yes. Yeah, and it was a streak that he cherished. [laughter] You know, it wasn’t easy for him to give that up. But he did. Yeah.
Mike Finger: And he did, and and we forget, I shouldn’t say we, I forget at times, um how long an NBA season lasts in terms of players looking like they are important pieces of let’s say, let’s for example, let’s go back to last November around Thanksgiving, when Harrison Barnes was Mr. 100 percent, you know, on the on the TV broadcast, and uh there was I think a game against Memphis early on, it was an NBC game early in the season, when he had this huge flurry down the stretch, including like a uh 21-year-old type dunk. Uh, do you remember that game? Where it was like, Harrison Barnes was the star of this victory against Memphis early in the year, and you think, wow, this team could make the playoffs. We were still at that point in the season. This team could make the playoffs, and Harrison Barnes, like he’s going to be a free agent, and they’re going to have to re-sign him. They might have to spend a lot of money to re-sign him, because Harrison Barnes is going to be a huge part of the playoff run. Well, an NBA season lasts so long, [laughter] that by March, April, May, June, Harrison Barnes was watching from the bench. Harrison Barnes wasn’t a huge part. They liked having him around. He was a valued member of the locker room. He was still getting some run in some playoff games, but he was number 10, number 11 in terms of priority on the team. This the reason I bring that up is because I think it it goes to your point about about just starting where they finished last year. You start with Julian and Devin in there, and then things change. Uh, younger players emerge. Maybe Tobias grows into a role. Maybe, much like the Harrison Barnes situation, there’s an injury. There’s always going to be an injury that precipitates some kind of adjustment. And, then when that adjustment is made, maybe it becomes easier. Sometimes these problems solve themselves.
Tom Orsborn: And it’s a great problem to have. And uh, you know, Tobias, I’m sure all these scenarios have been discussed with him. I’m sure he came here knowing all these uh scenarios could play out. And uh, you know, his goal, stated goal, is to win a championship. So, I’m sure it’s not going to make a make or break him, uh, what kind of role he has.
Mike Finger: That’s an important point, and probably one that goes towards your idea of uh status quo uh to start, because uh Tobias Harris is the one who came in um knowing the deal, knowing, like volunteering to be part of this.
Tom Orsborn: Right, came on board knowing this, yeah.
Mike Finger: And, so as opposed to bringing Julian Champagnie, Devin Vassell back, and saying, “Oh, we’re going to move you to the side to make room for Tobias Harris,” you know, that I think it makes more sense to bring Tobias Harris in and uh him to have shown up knowing, “Hey, this is a this is a pretty full rotation. You might start coming off the bench, you might start at some point.” Um, I I think that’s probably the most likely situation, Tom. Um, but the the the one here’s here’s here’s another segue. I think the Julian Champagnie, Tobias Harris question is less of a potential uh bugaboo than the Dylan Harper situation in the backcourt. I think that’s the one that’s going to be more delicate.
Tom Orsborn: Somebody called it the elephant in the room and that’s not a uh cliché to use.
Mike Finger: Yeah.
Tom Orsborn: Yeah.
Mike Finger: And, and I I don’t see that blowing up in terms of um, you know, people pouting, people getting upset, whatever. But, it’s just the talent there and the uh just the thing that anyone can I watched—I don’t know if you did, you probably didn’t, Tom, because you were up driving up and down the the the coast and having fun times and running out of gas and what have you, but I’m not a soccer person at all—because the World Cup is such a huge event, and because um uh, you know, it’s on, in the summertime, and and people are enjoying it, I did watch some soccer. I don’t really know what I’m watching, but there are players like in any sport that you watch, that you might not be familiar with, that are just clearly the good guys, if that makes sense. Like, like you don’t have to know a lot about the sport to know, oh, that guy right there—Mbappé from France, uh Messi from Argentina—those guys just move different than everybody else. And, they clearly have talent. I think a a just a random fan watching the NBA playoffs this year, watching Spurs games, when Dylan Harper came into the game, he looks like one of those guys. Right? Like, like that guy’s really good at basketball. You don’t have to know a lot about Xs and Os, the ins and outs, to realize that guy’s really good. And so, um there’s going to come a point when it’s like, that guy needs to play a lot. He is a he is a central part of this team. It’s Victor Wembanyama, and and you might even argue that Dylan Harper is number two long-term. Stephon Castle’s up there, but Dylan Harper is is number three with a bullet. Um, and it’s just we’re we’re repeating this in every podcast this summer. We probably will repeat it in several more podcasts this summer. But, that is probably issue number one. Um, maybe maybe number two because number one is always staying healthy, but but the the the top non-injury issue facing this team this year is the Dylan Harper question. And, I don’t have an answer for it right now. But, uh I think I think you give the Spurs the benefit of the doubt. The people in charge, Brian Wright, RC Buford, Mitch Johnson, um they have a pretty good track record of of dealing with this type of stuff.
Tom Orsborn: And that bench could use a little Julian Champagnie juice, uh, [laughter] after the way it finished. Um, you know. Uh, Harper, yeah, and you can make the case just, just as we said that Devin earned starting position, Dylan, you know, kind of proved it in the Finals, or throughout the playoffs when he was healthy.
Mike Finger: Yep. And, there will be times um when when players are are hurt, and taking time off. And, I think that that just that’s a that’s another luxury of this roster is name a player on this team, let’s say they have to miss a month, a hamstring, whatever, there are there are people behind that player. And, that includes like I think you’re better prepared this year to deal with a a Victor Wembanyama down for a week, two weeks. Like, Luke Kornet is a really good regular season play like, he had a he had a solid season last year. People forget because of he had a rough playoffs, but I think you’re okay starting him for a week or two and having Tarris Reed come off I wanted to talk to you a little bit about your summer league, which uh—
Tom Orsborn: Yeah. Yeah.
Mike Finger: —uh, you know, that guy’s ready to play. He’s how old, Tom? 22, 23 years old?
Tom Orsborn: 22, 22.
Mike Finger: Um, and he could be a guy who’s ready to step into a backup role if if Luke Kornet or Victor Wembanyama go down for a week or two. You probably don’t want to be throwing him into the NBA Finals right away, but um do there’s another segue, Tom. Uh, what what do you think about your impressions from summer league and whether a guy like Tarris Reed is is going to be able to help you this year?
Tom Orsborn: Dude is tough. He’s tough.
Mike Finger: He is. [laughter]
Tom Orsborn: I mean, uh, I wrote a piece um in Vegas about just the popularity he has with his teammates. I mean, they I I don’t think I’ve seen a guy, you know, outside of the Wembys who you you love for obvious reasons, that, you know, the teammates just gravitated to him. They they they loved the guy. Not just because of his play, but, you know, who he is as a person, carries himself pretty well. Um, you know, but yeah. He impressed, uh game after game, with just his ability to hit the offensive boards, uh putbacks, you know. So, yeah, he’s he was a real bright spot. Um, Jordan McLaughlin, if we’re going to do a broad look at summer league, you know, he’s a he’s a Tre Jones with uh more athleticism, um which is a good thing. He’s got that competitiveness, but um so yeah, there’s some stuff to work with coming out of uh coming out of that draft class.
Mike Finger: One uh thing that I like about the first-rounders is, I don’t think I think people need to I want to caution everybody, I think most people realize this, like there’s a I if we would set a line of games played for Quaintance this year at a half a game, over-under, I might take the under. [laughter] Like, like uh like there’s a there’s I think there’s a really good chance that Quaintance does not play in the NBA this year. And, that is fine. Like, he is the upside play. He is the 19-year-old kid who is um super high ceiling, um key he he can play alongside Victor Wembanyama, be a Victor Wembanyama backup for years to come, be a be a sincere, legitimate force at the defensive end. And, uh that’s fine. And, then I think what was so cool about the way they handled the first round of that draft is you you you pounce on on that opportunity, because everyone’s freaked out, they don’t want to use their first-round pick on a guy who might not play next year. And, you don’t want to feel like you wasted your first-round pick and have your fans upset as if that you don’t have a first-rounder. Well, the Spurs took they they they took advantage of that opportunity, they felt he was a little undervalued, he slid to them at that spot, too good of an opportunity to pass up. And, then you use the other first-round pick—
Tom Orsborn: Uh-huh.
Mike Finger: —on kind of the opposite, where it was a super high floor guy, a guy who’s going to be ready right away, who’s like Tom said, 22 years old. And, he can step in and and help you this season. Um, and be there. I don’t think he’s going to be in rotation on night one, but if somebody gets hurt, if you need somebody to step up, I really like the way he fits into that. And, I I just think that uh I-It’s a tip of the hat to the to the draft people over there for for pulling that off.
Tom Orsborn: Yeah. And I I agree, um, Jayden, you don’t have to stash him in Europe, just stash him there at the facility. [laughter] And uh, you know, um, yeah. I think that’s the prudent, very smart move, is just to redshirt him this year. And, um, yeah. Um—
Mike Finger: Keep him healthy.
Tom Orsborn: —yeah, Tarris, yeah, again, you know, we always say this: it’s summer league. But, you know, there’s just something about him, just seems like he’s he’s ready to do some yeoman work right away.
Mike Finger: The Spurs had a really good um or have a good relationship with that UConn staff. They spend a lot of time up there—
Tom Orsborn: Yeah. Yeah, yeah.
Mike Finger: —during the Stephon Castle year. And, I’m talking to Dan Hurley at that Stephon Castle draft, saw him in the hallway there, and he had said that of all the teams in the NBA who were coming to their practices and their games, that that no team was around um the UConn Huskies, that national championship year, more than the Spurs. They saw a lot of Stephon Castle that year. They developed relationships, when you’re around that much, you develop relationships with with coaches, with people on the program. So, I think they know a lot about Tarris Reed. And, that should make you, if you’re a Spurs fan, feel good about the amount of information and what they know about that that young man. So, that could be a good deal. Um, David Jones Garcia is back, Tom.
Tom Orsborn: And, yes he is. And, uh they stuck with him, uh the ankle injury, you know, which curtailed a pretty pretty damn good G League season. Um, they stuck with him. He’s back. Um, had some offers, I think, from other parts, um outside the US, but uh, yeah, he’s they they love him. They love his personality, um as Mitch has said. He’s a dynamic scorer, you know, as much as he can be with his skill set. Um, but he’s also, you know, striving to be better in other areas. That, that game that he had against Atlanta, you know, where he just kind of took over, you look at it, it was 12 points, but he also had six assists, uh just just stuffed the stat sheet. So, they like him. He’s good for the locker room. He’s a good guy to have around, so. And he’s one they want to invest in and try to develop. Um—
Mike Finger: They love him in the locker room. Like, legitimately, like, they they they love that guy in there.
Tom Orsborn: And I don’t know, I guess last week you guys probably talked about Billy Donovan, but nice move there, nice move there.
Mike Finger: We did. It’s something that we had talked about uh when you were on, um maybe earlier this summer, about the idea that uh, I guess it was when uh Sean Sweeney got the job in Orlando, and we had mentioned, you might have uh been on this discussion as well, about how um, it was going to be a huge loss to lose Sean Sweeney to the Magic. But, this was best this was a new era of Spurs staff, in that they’re consistently going to get the next best guy who wants to be a head coach, because people are going to see that if you want to be a head coach in this league, you can come work for Mitch for a year and work on the Victor Wembanyama staff and Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper, and you’re going to have opportunities. Right. And, I don’t think I don’t mean this in a negative way at all, I don’t think that Vic- Billy Donovan is a long-term assistant coach for the Spurs. I think he’s going to get another head coaching gig at some point. This is a good way to do it. And, then the next guy who wants to be in that situation can come in and do it. I think that’s a cool situation to be in. Pop had that for a while, like he was producing the Ime Udokas and Will Hardys and uh, Mike Budenholzers and Mike Browns, [laughter] Quinn Snyders, all those type of guys. And, then he wasn’t getting them for a while, because the Spurs weren’t making the playoffs. Now, we’re getting to that era again. But, are you looking forward to the Billy- what Billy Donovan can add?
Tom Orsborn: Yeah. Yeah, sure. I mean, that’s it’s a great, it’s a great acquisition. Um, he’ll help in so many areas. Um, and Mitch, you know, Mitch, um, he’s coming off a tough tough go in the playoffs, and and uh, I’m not saying he needs—I think he’d do just just fine uh, without this uh, acquisition of Billy Donovan, but it can’t hurt, you know, it’s a good move. And, uh, you know, I don’t know, go ahead, Mike.
Mike Finger: No, I was I was just, to your point, every coach from like even experienced coaches, Gregg Popovich, Phil Jackson, uh has a consigliere. [laughter] You know? Uh, Pop had Hank Egan for years.
Tom Orsborn: Yes, yeah. Yeah.
Mike Finger: Yeah. And, you need you don’t want you don’t want all the the assistants on your staff to be wet behind the ears, you know, uh uh up-and-comers. You want kind of the grizzled vets. And um, and so it’s no insult to Mitch to say that he needs that guy, because every coach needs that guy. But, go- where were you going before I rudely interrupted?
Tom Orsborn: Well, no, you didn’t interrupt me. Um, but, um, I don’t know what his aspirations are at his age, but, you know, it was fun being around Corliss Williamson.
Mike Finger: Yeah.
Tom Orsborn: Uh, man, I wish we had a little more time and access with these assistants. Because, yeah, it was fun being around him. He’s a good dude. He is.
Mike Finger: He is. I, as we knew before, but I mean it’s just good to hear that. I was I was glad to see that he had some um uh some public shine this When you you guys, you and Jeff, always go to summer league, and uh you get a chance to talk to the assistants that don’t get to talk on the record throughout the year, and uh that was cool to see some Corliss interviews. I’ve gotten a chance to to speak to him just kind of casually every now and then during his first season, and really seems like a really likable guy, and all the guys like him. Um, I’m curious- I don’t think they’ve had- they sent out the official release on all the promotions and who they’re bringing back. That’s always a fun one.
Tom Orsborn: Usually comes in August, yeah.
Mike Finger: Usually comes in August, but I’m hoping they bring back um Rashard Lewis, because I really think he’s been He worked a lot with um—
Tom Orsborn: He was there in Vegas.
Mike Finger: —the young guys last year. And, uh I think he would be a he’d be a good guy to bring back. Um, but they’ve they’ve got they’ve got guys up and down the line. One of the dunkers of the playoffs, Josh Branden. Uh, [laughter] he he could he could be a member of that staff, but that’s that’s something to look forward to in August, is which staff members are coming back, which staff members are they adding. You got a schedule coming out, Tom, which I know is a big day in the Orsborn and McDonald households, when when there’s the big draft in in August of who gets which road trips.
Tom Orsborn: Man.
Mike Finger: Uh, now that LeBron James has signed, the the NBA—
Tom Orsborn: ESPN could- ESPN could televise that, you know, over two nights.
Mike Finger: The Orsborn-McDonald negotiations—
Tom Orsborn: Yeah. Yeah.
Mike Finger: —of divvying up the road games.
Tom Orsborn: Be a great reality TV show.
Mike Finger: The big question because, not to give away too much about the the home life, but the McDonald household does have young kids. The Orsborn household does not. So, is a- this is the way of saying that uh because you’re a good teammate, and because you you value uh the McDonald family and his, you have volunteered to take the Christmas game, [laughter] for Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas.
Tom Orsborn: Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, yeah.
Mike Finger: Yeah. Because, you know, the the the McDonald kids need to be around their dad on the on the holidays, because he’s such a fine example to them and is is such a good father. And, so I’m just curious what you think about Christmas this year. Are you going to be are you and uh Mrs. Orsborn going to have to go on the road again, or do you think that Adam Silver and Tim Frank and company are going to allow you to cover a Christmas game in San Antonio this year?
Tom Orsborn: Boy. Well, going back to Madison Square Garden, that that’d be quite a quite a Christmas Day affair.
Mike Finger: You’re you’re you’re fine with that.
Tom Orsborn: Yeah, sure. Yeah.
Mike Finger: Yeah.
Tom Orsborn: Sure, Christmas in New York. Lovely.
Mike Finger: Christmas in New York, lovely, maybe some snow on the ground, kicked out of the MSG workroom an hour after the game. [laughter]
Tom Orsborn: That was brutal. I I kept waiting it waiting for that to come in the Finals, but they gave us a little leeway. Not much, but a little more leeway.
Mike Finger: Have you been following uh while you were on the coast, running out of gas, just the idea that uh we’ve all been tracked in MSG when we’ve been going for years and years, and the uh the the surveillance that’s been going on in that building?
Tom Orsborn: Awful story.
Mike Finger: Awful story.
Tom Orsborn: Awful story, yeah. Did not—
Mike Finger: Legiti- not even joking, legitimately disgusting.
Tom Orsborn: Yeah, it is disgusting. Yeah. I I agree with you 100 percent. Um, yeah. Lot of disgusting going on, but—
Mike Finger: It is.
Tom Orsborn: —but there’s no disgusting on Coldwater Canyon in Los Angeles. [laughter] You know, Corliss Williamson strikes me as the kind of guy that would stop and and uh, give a guy a helping hand, push his car to the side of the road after he ran out of gas.
Mike Finger: So how did that conclude? AAA came with like a a a gallon jug of uh gas to put in your car? Or—
Tom Orsborn: Half a gallon. Half a gallon. [laughter]
Mike Finger: [laughter]
Tom Orsborn: And, I don’t want to disparage AAA. They’re great, but um, [laughter] but I had to coast. It was it was 15 minutes to the next uh gas station, on the bottom. In the Valley, you know, you go over the hill, Hollywood Hills into the Valley. So, the next one was 15 minutes away. Fortunately, we’re going downhill, so I coasted a lot. Yeah.
Mike Finger: They only gave you a half a gallon?
Tom Orsborn: Yeah, yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah. It was tough.
Mike Finger: You couldn’t have you couldn’t have given them uh $6 for a full gallon, or whatever it costs there in in Southern California?
Tom Orsborn: I They don’t negotiate that way. But they they they—
Mike Finger: That is outrageous! So then you’re—
Tom Orsborn: No, they arrived promptly, I’m not I’m not disparaging them at all. And uh—
Mike Finger: So, they so, so AAA gives you a half a gal- Just to be clear, AAA gives you a half a—
Tom Orsborn: Yeah, they arrived promptly.
Mike Finger: Uh-huh.
Tom Orsborn: Yeah, they arrived promptly. I’m not I’m not disparaging them at all, and um—
Mike Finger: But they put a half a gallon of gas in your tank and then bid you farewell?
Tom Orsborn: Yeah, might have been a gallon. Might have been closer to a gallon. But yeah, I was bid farewell.
Mike Finger: And, so you’re nervous even after they’re gone, you you have to be nervous that you’re going to run out again.
Tom Orsborn: But, if I did, Mike, there’s plenty of people, Good Samaritans, in those Hollywood Hills to help you out. [laughter] I’m telling you, I left that I left uh, I left uh, that uh episode feeling good about the world.
Mike Finger: Well, people might leave this episode feeling good about the world. This is the restoring faith in humanity edition of the Spurs Insider. I think you’re you’re going on another respite, aren’t you, Tom? You’re not going to be with us next time? It’ll be will be Jeff and his doldrums again?
Tom Orsborn: That is correct.
Mike Finger: So, this is our last chance.
Tom Orsborn: Yeah.
Mike Finger: Okay.
Tom Orsborn: Yeah, Jeff will be energized, I’m sure.
Mike Finger: Well, do you have any big plans that you want to share with our listeners, or or do you want to keep that on the on the downlow for the for the next month?
Tom Orsborn: No, doing a lot of reading.
Mike Finger: Ah, that’s exciting. Can’t run out of gas reading.
Tom Orsborn: Hey, great book um, and uh a disturbing book, but “House of Sand and Fog.” UT UT alum, Andre Dubus. Um, I saw the movie years ago.
Mike Finger: Yeah.
Tom Orsborn: Well, it’s 2000, it was 2000-2001. But, the book, uh, highly recommend it. Yeah, disturbing, but um, but a good good thing to read. I don’t know if it restores faith in humanity, but it makes you think about the little things we get upset about. Yeah. Maybe there maybe it’s not worth it.
Mike Finger: Well, Tom Orsborn, you’ve done a great job of helping us restore some faith in humanity in this midsummer edition of the Spurs Insider. We will miss you next time. Jeff McDonald will be here. Until then, we will remember to keep our gratitude greater than our expectations, we will take care of each other on the in the middle of the road in Laurel Canyon or otherwise, and we will keep it real.