Episode 1 - "99 Championship" | The Ring of the Rowel: San Antonio Spurs Docuseries

[@dcasasola]

I will never forget how '99 felt in San Antonio. The entire city cheered during that playoff run; we made signs, we filmed TV spots, we high-fived strangers on the streets when we saw someone wearing Spurs gear. Many of us who had been fans for years and suffered through so many playoff heartbreaks finally saw our team win it all and end up on top. I remember my dad, RIP, took us out the following day to buy our Spurs Championship shirts. Even though I moved away, I will always love San Antonio and my Spurs. Por Vida!

[@fekalistagrzybowory7619]

I was so happy when Spurs finally get the Ring. I am Spurs fan since 1995. And even if I can't watch any game from AT&T Center live, as I live in Poland, I will never stop being a fan of Spurs. This organisation is the best in whole NBA

[@klanster13kevo]

We were driving downtown shooting glocks standing in the bed of the truck. Man it was so much fun. Everyone had guns just unloading into the air. That was a great celebration

[@edwells4769]

I was in ATX at the time and it was just as exciting there. Wasn't until about 4-5 years later all these Mavs fans suddenly appeared. Austin is and always was a Spurs town.

[@parischickvintage9530]

Yea but the San Antonio spurs are not going to the nba finals😂

[@felipunkd4243]

Seriously, watching this you may wonder why we do not get any love from the media? San Antonio Spurs is a top notch organization with core values beyond basketball.... I love my Spurs, we all SPURS family

[@TheGirlWhoLikesCarrotsAnd1D]

Proud to be apart of this family!!

[@markv00]

I remember going to Spurs games around the early 80s when I was old enough to go with my best friend Mark. We'd get obstructed view seats at Hemisphere. It was awesome, the baseline bums actually on the baseline, being able to meet the players, the other team's bus pulling up, and being right there to get autographs. We went for the energy and fun. It "seemed" like our seasons were always stopped by the great Showtime Lakers. So to finally see our Spurs get there was surreal. They won their first championship on my birthday, June 25th. During the post-game interview on NBC, Timmy said, "and Happy birthday to my friend Mark", me and my friend just looked at each other and said "WHAT!?!". He had to be talking about someone else. But I was working at the Spurs flagship radio station, WOAI. I had met and hung out with most of the team at some point. Still crazy. I had to get back to the station to put the promos together really quick to get them on the air, but Vance Jackson, like everywhere else, was a parking lot!!! Amazing celebration until about 4 or 5 in the morning. No crazy stuff, just a lot of years of "almost", finally being realized. The good guys had finally won!

[@oronasundial]

The Admiral delivered us our first title at the tail end of the '90s my favorite decade of all Time. It still sends chills to be there and remember just how much fun excitement it was too see our entire city explode into a massive celebration I'd never seen before. I'll never forget it. Spurs 1999 champions Forever.

[@ripdeth]

I mean DRob rules, but he didn't average 27/14 in the finals.

[@renebadillo2064]

Appreciate the fact that I was able to see 5 championships in our city🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆

[@MichaelBrown-js1ti]

San Antonio Spurs KZbin PG 900000 likes thumbs up👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍 stars⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@ernieestrada193]

🇨🇱🏀🤠☝️go spurs go

[@postshanna]

The love I have for David Robinson growing up was unmatched. He made you believe we could be good. An amazing person that I wanted to see win so badly. Before tim tony manu and all the good times. Dave was there taking the heat. Being questioned. I’ll never forget the 99 run. Some of the best times watching the spurs. I’m grateful I was old enough to remember it all. Memorial Day miracle was the most hyped I’ve ever been in my life. Alamodome was shaking that day. Thank you spurs. Gsg forever.

[@petelaurahero8774]

Greatest Sports moment in my life. The expressways were shut down because people were dancing on them. No fires or destruction, just pure San Antonio celebration.

[@shaaadow2107]

Man, this really takes me back. I wasn't really into basketball before 99'. I would watch every now and then with my older brother but, never understood the hype lol. Then, here come the Spurs. A team from my own city, showing up and showing off like they've been winning for years. It awakened my love for basketball and from that moment on, win or lose, the Spurs would forever be in my life. Por Vida!! #GoSpursGo

[@milesdiontre]

Go Spurs Go

[@raleighluxon2781]

Coming from someone who started watching the Spurs in the 2011-12 season and not even being alive for this ring, it's awesome to hear and see about that team. I knew about Avery's shot and MDM but hearing about player's perspective for once is awesome. Can't wait for the next episode

[@gilberthjr823]

Man I almost sports cried after watching this. So many great memories. So much faith I had in the Spurs. Thank you.

[@thyweebo]

yep im crying

[@SitiSlicka]

My love for the spurs began on NBA live 97 I won a ring with the spurs playing my brothers.. then the actual 98-99 season watching them play the Knicks.. I loved the Spurs ever since

[@OrionOodama]

"NBA Live 95" 😉

[@e.j.war89]

I wouldn’t even watch regular season games because we all knew REAL Spurs basketball began in the playoffs. Very few teams ALWAYS had a chance of winning the ship every year like my Spurs did. Go Spurs Go!

[@hagarrox]

Nothing sweeter than that first Championship. I remember it well. The entire city was so happy and we partied and everyone celebrated like a big familia

[@andiv885]

Definitely missing my hometown after watching this and may just take a trip back home this weekend! Countdown city!

[@Albert-dd5hd]

I was at Game 2 against Portland and watched the Memorial Day Miracle live. What made it even better was that there were 2 Portland fans sitting right by us, and they were heckling us that whole game till we made that 4th Quarter run and Elliott hit that shot! The noise level was so loud after the final buzzer! Amazing memory!

[@eduardomorales6355]

Aun lo recuerdo llore de emoción tenía 15 años en esa época, soy spurs desde 1992

[@randomtees]

For added context at 2:22, Jaren Jackson was the starting SG to open the season. Not only did the Spurs open the season with a disappointing 6-8 record, but many people will remember that Pop's job was on the line. At the time, he was both HC and GM. The Spurs were ready to fire Pop as BOTH HC and GM and replace him with Doc Rivers at HC. Doc was the Spurs color commentator at the time and had no coaching experience. But Pop replaced Jaren Jackson with Ellie, the Spurs went on an extended winning streak and Pop kept his job.

[@SpursKitten]

THIS IS MY FAVORITE CHAMPIONSHIP!!!!! So happy for David, Sean and AJ and the fans.... we all suffered through so much to get there!!!!

[@DB-rb2is]

Spurs better not ever leave sa . I was nine years old when they won in 99. To this day I try to watch every game I can. Good or bad spurs are a part of me. Top notch quality on this video. Brings back so many memories. Waiting at academy in line just to get a shirt and hat. Go spurs go

[@klanster13kevo]

Unfortunately it’s happening soon. Last week they had a council meeting about taking potential bids and the ATT center lease ended and they only renewed it till 2024 because I think that’s it. After 2025 the bid may start for Las Vegas, Seattle and Vancouver. Nelson Wolfe said it the city wants them here but the nBA is pushing hard to get them out of here. Enjoy these last two seasons because we lost them already smh

[@youreokayboah2128]

@@klanster13kevo Moving them outta San Antonio after cementing a dynasty (1999-2015) is wild

[@jeebus022]

What a great first ep. I first started watching the Spurs as a young whippersnapper in the early 90s. Felt like all we did was just get to the first or second round, then flame out. I remember that feeling of dread when Minny evened the series...never did I think they'd reel off 12 straight in the playoffs and end up winning it all. Great stuff. Love it.

[@cwnery]

Please put subtitles, it helps your international fans a lot and congratulations on the documentary series, it's amazing

[@celiakiser6292]

Aww, this brings back memories! I remember so clearly that day when the Spurs won their 1st NBA Championship!!

[@jeremysdrumming4474]

Been a long time fan 20 years now, love my spurs 💙

[@johnrivera922]

03, Father’s Day, Robinsons last game, with my dad and family. The best feeling ever. But 99 is a close second.

[@wizkennyfa]

Some of my greatest childhood memories were from this championship! I’ll never forget it! Go Spurs Go! ❤🎉

[@autoenthused]

SA loves you all.

[@mindofjosh279]

beautifuly done video. love my spurs to death, they mean everthing to my city.

[@dunndorr5651]

Hell yeah vato. I remember being 8yrs old and I remember how lit the hood got that night. Allllllll down Guadalupe st shit was poppin, as soon as I walked down Sabinas to Guadalupe with my grampo, we saw everybody just cheering and going nuts. One of the best memories I have

[@rachelsmith8852]

Go Spurs Go!

[@milesdiontre]

Go Spurs Go

[@TwentyTwo_ccg]

Ohh man this brings me back. I grew up in North Dakota and I picked the Spurs as my favorite team in 1994 at 8 years old when I started to love basketball. EVERYONE was a Bulls fan and I didn't want to join that bandwagon. I picked the Spurs because of David Robinson. I remember pretending to be all of the Spurs players from the 99' team playing basketball by myself for hours and hours on my basketball hoop my dad made out of an auger. I met Sean Elliot a couple of weeks ago when the Spurs were in Minneapolis for a Wolves game. Such a great guy. Loved that 99' team and watching this brings me back to being 13 years old. Good old days.

[@vivaldi4s]

I remember two regular season games in particular - Elliot's buzzer beater against Phoenix and May 1st game against Portland that they won in OT. Jaren Jackson was on fire from behind the arc in the playoffs. Jay Howard was a great play by play radio announcer. The Pride of the Great Lonestar State are NBA Champions - your San Antonio Spurs !!"

[@Skizzyv1]

The love you feel and memories you remember watching this is incredible!

[@desert_sky_guy]

🤩🤩🤩 Thank you so much for The Ring of the Rowel. Spurs organization is A+ in every way, especially in how you treat and love us fans. Such a wonderful and top-notch trip back through time.

[@FEARLESSx210]

I cried then and I'm crying now. I love my spurs always and forever. GO SPURS GO

[@dustynluger2028]

great timing for dropping this w the primo saga

[@misterraidernation8772]

From a fan since 89 I can remember being so happy winning a chip, all those years of losing in the playoffs with the great Robinson to finally break through.

[@Fasthands02]

Brought me to tears thinking of the run that started our Dynasty 😢 such a great squad! Well done 👏

[@ripdeth]

2nd year FMVP Tim put up 27/14 in his first finals.

[@ringoochow]

CAN'T WAIT FOR 14 CHAMPIONSHIP EPISODE!!!!!!

[@robertkleeman7725]

This was beautifully done. I feel so invigorated after this 20-minute episode.

[@ronniepena1587]

What a great memory that was! San Antonio was finally on Sports Center! Our city celebrated with class.........so proud to live in SA and to root for the "Good Guys"!

[@Qdawg2121]

I was 9 years old in 99. I remember sitting on the floor every game night watching the spurs and eating my snacks lol . Great memories

[@Swanny_dog_millionaire]

Great video!! Go Spurs go!!

[@milesdiontre]

Go Spurs Go

[@EinhanderPilotSantos]

Seeing David finally getting one was definitely one of the highlights of my life!

[@eddietheaggie2010]

I was 10-11 years old this season...growing up with peers who were all into Michael Jordan or the Rockets, it was such a validating (great word by Avery Johnson) moment to see OUR team *finally* get it done. It meant the world to the city, and made me a diehard fan for life. Grew up from a kid into adulthood watching my team go from also-rans to the gold standard. Hearing "San Antonio" become synonymous with "great basketball." It was magical. And now, with my own young kids going to their first Spurs games, it's just surreal. Thanks for doing this series. Will help me have a visual for my son and daughter when I'm trying to explain to them why their daddy gets a little misty eyed looking at all those "old" jerseys hanging in the rafters. #PorVida #GoSpursGo

[@ivreduteil8863]

merci d'avoir changer ma vie . go spurs go

[@louisanderson6102]

I remember starting my senior year first day I had that shirt on 😆

[@defiantlytrill]

This was the first complete series I watched as a kid, it made me fall in love with basketball. Thanks Tim, David and Pop for the memories, may G-d bless y'all.

[@dawson8063]

My first ever Spurs playoff game was the Memorial Day Miracle! Was 6 years old and I’ll never forget it! I still can’t believe he kept his heels off the line.

[@mrfresh0521]

The start of San Antonio Spurs great legacy, winning culture and playoff runs...

[@OrionOodama]

"When I mean they never look back, they never look back for two-and-a-half decades." Love to see Johnny Ludden. I was a fan of his Spurs articles in the early 2000s until he moved to Yahoo! Sports.

[@Ericb1980]

Still the most tapped into the front office and the goings on. If Ludden wrote about the spurs it was always known taht it was 100% true.

[@atbp828]

Wow sering again the young Tim Duncan that nobody knows yet he's going to dominate the league. A very good basketball player, and a better person off-court, teaming with another good guy too DRob. Role models.

[@gabrielfiala]

I smiled from start to finish. Great memories came flooding back to me. I love my Spurs! Go Spurs Go!!!

[@rayvillarreal635]

I love how this is on KZbin where everyone can see how great the spurs were and how they built the amazing dynasty that made me love basketball

[@MichaelBrown-js1ti]

San Antonio Spurs KZbinPG TV thumbs up👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@KingX88]

I need Episode 2 ASAP.

[@nlopedebarrios]

I will never forget this. Here in Argentina the NBA was all about MJ and the Bulls. I was excited because The Admiral was my favorite player, now that Jordan was retired. I was in college and someone I knew was flying to NYC, where the NBA Store opened, and asked him to bring me a Spurs shooting shirt. You couldn’t buy originals, what the players wore here, so it was my only chance. The NBA wasn’t what it is today, globally. Unfortunately they were none available so I had to settle with a Bulls one. I still dream of visiting San Antonio some day, I couldn’t afford it just yet.

[@stylez1563]

🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆GO SPURS GO🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆

[@milesdiontre]

Go Spurs Go

[@OweNoManAnything]

GoSpursGo … love my team just as much now as I did during the glory days

[@milesdiontre]

Go Spurs Go

[@milesdiontre]

Go Spurs Go

[@kevinlemelle5402]

The championship was '99 which was very memorable for the first one. People had their brooms for sweeping of the Lakers and Trailblazers.

[@oeao2841]

Closed the forum and the staples center

[@MrEOM41]

We were always knocking down n the door in the early 90s but just couldn’t get it done this year changed everything … birth of a Dynasty 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆

[@TheNeutralizer27]

Born in nyc in 99 but im a die hard Spurs fan #GOSPURSGO

[@rayvillarreal635]

I truly love the spurs organization, and how the players love and care for the fans as much as the fans do to the players.

[@klanster13kevo]

Who remembers shooting rifles and glocks after the championships man we went thru like 1000 rounds just unloading downtown after they would win. Man that was a great time.

[@TheGirlWhoLikesCarrotsAnd1D]

Been a diehard Spurs fan since 2014 & I could honestly say, this is the best fanbase, organization & team I’ve ever been apart of! No matter the doubts, y’all always find a reason for us to praise! SO BEYOND HONORED TO BE APART OF THIS FAMILY! 🩶🖤 GSG!!

[@Foxerwolf]

YESSS FINALLY

[@PaulAlexBriseno]

Spurs!

[@carniac1]

I became a spurs fan in 1994 because in nba live 95 rodmans hair changed to the color of whatever court was home. Stuck by that next season it was painful i was like 13 it was so sad till we got the first pick ill never forget telling my dad that wed get the best player ever...tim duncan

[@kingrobs89]

First one basically put the city on the map , being around 10 years old and going downtown to celebrate 🥳

[@Data_Wolf]

I remember celebrating up and down S.W Military the night they won! #GoSpursGo

[@lasanchaadventures3567]

5:37 "I want some nasty was born" I remember being a 13 year old kid from New Braunfels that was in love with the spurs. Now I don't know if I messed up or we messed up but my 13 year old is a curry/warriors fan 😔😒

[@Davidrobinson50isgoat]

Amazing

[@mattbarnes5928]

Brilliant 👍 Go Spurs Go 🏀⚫️⚪️

[@kristianmedoffical]

The little admiral came Thru clutch for the win in game 5

[@FourPawsInTheGrave]

I remember after this, Def Leppard played a free show at Walmart. Joe Elliott, the singer pulled off his shirt during the show and had a Spurs championship shirt underneath.

[@ernieestrada193]

I'm glad Tim Duncan stayed a spurs forever

[@nachocattaneo9800]

Plase put it on in Spanish, or subtitle plase the documental its look very good

[@ArcadianGenesis]

What is the music playing when they win the Finals?

[@noahperez5074]

🐐

[@rafaelrufinomartins474]

Release the subtitles in the video settings. Spurs have fans from all over the world who would like to follow the series better

[@Whos-That-Guy]

I just watched a documentary about the greatest teams in nba history... Spurs didn't get a mention. Media should be ashamed of themselves. Spurs are the goat... and at very minimum in the conversation and it began the day pop joined the organisation.

[@thereal_notoriousakagdubb3486]

Jerome Kersey was with Portland Trailblazers,who comes up empty in his last 2 nba finals

[@RaulSalazar-r9b]

In 99 I was leaving in Phoenix getting from my supervisor about my spurs will beat Phoenix don't your worry about our record.

[@thereal_notoriousakagdubb3486]

Spurs winning 31 of their final 36 GMs to finished the league best record during this lockout year at 37-13 overall(Top Ranked in the Western Conference)

[@bigskeezy6497]

When’s the next episode

[@thereal_notoriousakagdubb3486]

San Antonio Spurs had added their championship seasoned veterans:Steve Kerr,Jerome Kersey and Mario Elie

[@felipeaugusto7064]

Bons tempos quando ainda existia basquete de verdade na NBA. Hoje em dia não existe mais basquete na NBA, somente um tedioso festival de arremessos de 3 pontos.

[@lukegallegos1359]

Avery really said Pintacle💀

[@GoGE0RGEGo321]

I can’t wait to party like it’s 1999 Go SPURS Go

[@thereal_notoriousakagdubb3486]

Steve Kerr has won his 3 nba titles with the Bulls as well,looking for more

[@oeao2841]

I thought u were gonna start from the beginning of the franchise

[@SparticusHun]

Idk wat the opening beat is but that is a banger

[@pedromolina4634]

Los Spurs tienen miles...o millones de fans que solo entienden español, seria muy bueno que la docuserie tuviera por lo menos subtitulos en ese idioma. The Spurs have thousands...or millions of fans who only understand Spanish, it would be great if the docuseries had at least subtitles in that language.

[@nabilrigane7979]

Please admins, can you put some french and spanish subtitles, I think the team is important for a lot of internationals, and sometimes I am struguling with the ''post game tired speech half mouth opened" 😅

[@thereal_notoriousakagdubb3486]

San Antonio Spurs in 1998-99 nba lockout year:after Michael Jordan retired from the NBA in 1998

[@_WESTSIDE_]

Made me tear up I’ll forget the day we celebrated after game 5 it was beautiful 🖤🤍 GO SPURS GO

[@txhpog]

🎉🎉🏀🏀

[@wutbitch420]

Go Spurs Go!

[@Ericb1980]

Y’all left out the best part of Avery’s speech in the championship when he asked which team won, “Did the Utah Jazz win the championship?” “For the Utah jazz its ok to say HELL NO” lmfao and no one now understands how great that was because of how bitter that rivalry was and how many times they beat us, and to after all that, after their trips to the finals, to win one instead of them, and end up winning 5, and them 0. Its still great.

[@thereal_notoriousakagdubb3486]

1998-99 San Antonio Spurs lockout year had a 6-8 record?

[@thereal_notoriousakagdubb3486]

Mario Elie had won his 2 nba titles with the Rockets and looking for more