We would be the music programmer of the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, we would not hesitate for a single second. For the return of Spurs to the play-offs, seven years later, we would put a good old Guess who’s back of Eminem (yes, even if he is a supporter of the Detroit Pistons) at the entrance of the players, on the night of Sunday to Monday against Portland. History of showing the muscles and recalling the history of a five-time NBA champion franchise.
It’s not this first round against the Blazers that should make Victor Wembanyama’s gang, surprising second in the regular season in the west, shiver, and always aim higher. But whatever the opponent and the adversity, this return of Spurs to the play-offs is celebrated by fans of the Texan franchise, and in particular here, in France, where the Spurs have a fairly impressive fan base.
“The return to this level of competition after several complicated years, frankly, it’s a relief,” assures Guillaume, Spurs supporter since 1989 and member of the association. Spurs Nation France. Before, there was a sort of habit of being in the play-offs, there we enjoy it even more, we won’t miss anything, even from the first round. The excitement is increased tenfold. We know that this year, we Spurs fans aren’t going to sleep much. »
Watching parties organized on April 26
Wake-ups are already scheduled, knowing that the first three matches of this duel against Portland will take place in the middle of the night. But, despite the late schedule, some will still come together to follow Wemby’s first steps in this new dimension. “I have three, four friends in the South, we will try to meet up to watch matches live at 2 a.m., as far as possible, Jean-Patrick Nourricier, president of the Spurs Nation France association. It’s incomparable to see it delayed, especially in terms of emotion. And then you want to be part of it. »
Those who will be alone in front of their screen, their eyes still glued, will still be accompanied virtually, in particular by members of the association. “There will be a lot of us watching this at night,” continues Guillaume, who lives near Paris. We even have internal association chats where we can all talk to each other live. It’s well organized. » All these beautiful people are still impatiently waiting for match 4. This could seal Spurs’ qualification for the future and, above all, it will be broadcast at a decent time in France (9:30 p.m.).
So much so that several events are already planned for April 26. In Paris, an NBA Viewing Party will take place at the Grand Rex (2,500 seats), organized by TrashTalk, Unibet and the NBA. The Spurs themselves have also planned a watching party in the capital, at Belushi’s (19th arrondissement), on the same date. “Our organization has forged unique and lasting bonds with French fans, and we cherish every opportunity to strengthen this relationship through these initiatives,” said RC Buford, CEO of the Spurs, in a press release.
In the provinces, too, we are getting ready for April 26. The History Rock Café, in Frontignan (Hérault), a usual gathering place for some Spurs fans, has already received requests for this match 4 of the first round. “I try to broadcast all the Spurs European matches,” explains the owner of the establishment. Last time, Spurs Nation France came with around ten. Plus my regulars, there must have been around twenty of us watching the match. »
Any exceptions to open in the middle of the night?
The passion is such that he could even go further, if the Spurs go far in these play-offs: “I hesitate to request exemptions from the town hall to open at night and broadcast the matches at 2 a.m.. If the demand is there… I have a group of four girls who tell me they are the only ones who wake up at night to watch the games. Plus, they’re karaoke regulars, and when I threw basketball, they were super happy. »
A (very) good run for San Antonio, all Spurs fans imagine it, some even already dreaming of a championship ring, after taking out defending champion Oklahoma City, already beaten four times this season, in the conference final. A clash that some even hope to see from the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio.
« I asked for quotes to see if we can make the semi-finals, the conference finals, or even the NBA finals, explains Jean-Patrick Nourricier. I’m not very optimistic, because it’s going to be very, very expensive. For two matches in San Antonio, with accommodation and flight, you should count on around 5,000 euros. It’s hot. »
The director of the association has nevertheless thought about another solution to avoid emptying his Livret A. “We are in the process of seeing, if the Spurs are in the conference final, perhaps renting a hut somewhere in France for four days or a long weekend, and trying to have two matches with a group of around 10 people, that could be nice. »And it will be much cheaper than a trip to the United States.
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