November 1, 2022 • 24 mins
George “Iceman” Gervin looks back on the evolution of The Spurs over the past 50 years — the dedication of the Spurs’ fans, the vision of Spurs leadership, and falling in love with San Antonio. The Iceman compares the modern day NBA to the ABA, and talks about the perks of playing international ball.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Dervan. I mean, is he are human highlight film or
is he? Yes? He is? Are your German driving. Here's
Dermon trying to back down through the lane, looking at
(00:22):
underhand so big, and he picks the ball on the
way up and just underhanded him. Oh what a whole girl. Believable.
And now a word from our presenting sponsor, Frost Bank.
(00:47):
It's not about your highlight reel. It's about reaching new
heights each and every day. It's not about if he's
sit in the nosebleeds a courtside. It's about showing up good.
It's not about wins. It's about winning over others by
treating them right. It's about more than money. Frost the
(01:11):
official bank of the San Antonio Spurs Alone. Welcome to
a very special edition of Sound and Spurs as a
brand new podcast, and we're very very proud to have
one of the legendary Spurs with us, George the Geisman Gerbon.
(01:32):
Before we get to George the Eisman Gervan, we want
to tell you that we're coming your way from one
of the gymnasiums at the George Gervan Academy and we'll
be talking a lot more about the academy as we
move on this evening. But we can't have a Spurs
podcast without talking to the legend number forty four himself. Uh,
member of the Name Smith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame,
(01:52):
proud son of the city of Detroit and of course
the city of San Antonio as well. George the Eisman
gern Ice. Very very good to view, and we're so
happy that you decided to join us. And if you
believe the Spurs are fifty years old, yeah, because I've
been here, you know what I mean. But you know,
for me to see the team evolved over all these years, um,
(02:19):
it's amazing. Um. And you know what I mean, you
you know, you just really got to sit back and
meditate on it. I mean, we're going from the seventies,
you know, we're going from a franchise that was at
least in the beginning, you know, and then ball a
year or so later and then become you know, the Spurs.
(02:42):
So I have seen the evolution of that. And when
you say fifty years, wow, I'm proud to still be
able to understand and and and and see the history
of his Spurs and you know, just make you feel good.
I've had the opportunity used to be in this league.
(03:03):
Now for twenty two years, I get to travel all
over the place. And the relationship that the Spurs fans
have in the city of San Antonio has with the
Spurs is very unique. Did you see that from the
very beginning? And how has that grown from that very beginning?
It ain't change. I mean, fans have always loved the Spurs.
I mean it's you know, when we played in smaller
(03:26):
arena at the Hemisphere, I think there was a little
bit more up close. You know, they had that kind
of relation with it. You know, when you talk about fans,
you got to talk about baseline bons. You know, baseline
bones was a part of the game. Uh you know
back when you know, when we played, I mean, they
(03:48):
would just wrap up in your face, you know. I
mean so fan wise, um and I said, we have
best fans that a sports franchise can have. Man, And
you know, I'm I'm proud of him. You know, I'm
proud of their loyalty, um, you know to the Spurs.
(04:08):
Um proud of how they have been supportive of this
franchise from the beginning. When the Chaparrals moved here, they
didn't have a lot of success in Dallas. They didn't
catch on in Dallas. And of course Dallas has a
lot of other stuff going on, right They've got the
Dallas Cowboys and a Major League Baseball But why do
(04:29):
you think the Spurs caught on as quickly as they
did in San Antonio? Well, everything comes leadership, you know.
I don't think we would be remiss not to talk
about the leaders of the franchise. You know, talk about Angelo,
dross Um, you know, you talk about Red mccoon. They
had a vision, you know. I mean, they saw what
(04:52):
a lot of us didn't see, you know, um, and
they was able to utilize that franchise, and they saw
that they could make it work, and they did. You know,
anytime I think of the Spurge in the beginning, I
think of Angelo, you know. Um, you know, people don't
know the vision he had, you know, people don't know
(05:15):
about this All Star weekend, you know. I mean that's
a vision of Angelo and Carl Scher, you know, you know,
I mean this is the kind of vision that they
had way in the beginning, you know. And I don't
think they get enough credit for it. And as long
as I'm alive, I'm always you know, give them they
(05:39):
do because they are part of that foundation. Kid growing
up in Philadelphia, like me, all I knew about San
Antonio was the Alamo. That's all I heard about, right,
And then here comes this basketball team in San Antonio, Texas.
And I don't think it's in his gaggeration. Ice, I
don't know what you think, but it's safe to say
that the Spurs put San Antonio on the map for
a lot of people around the country. And you think
(06:00):
about what I mean. I come from Detroit, inner city,
you know, and then I come from Virginia squise. You know,
I know nothing about sating tone. You know, I'll go
out of the sating tone. I'm like you history. Why
I don't think you didn't know about is the ALBUMO.
(06:22):
You know. But once I got here, and then once
I started playing, I mean, it was a place that
you just slowly fell in love with. You know. It
was the environment, and it was the weather, you know,
it was the people. You know, it was the food,
I mean, and you fell in love with it. And
(06:44):
you guys had it going off from the very beginning
to I believe that first Spurst team in the NBA
average a hundred and fifteen points a game, was the
leading scoring team in the NBA that first season. So
when there were some folks that thought the ABA teams
might take a while to adjust, that was not the case.
With San Antonio Spurs proved. There was a lot of
(07:04):
talk in the NBA circles, and I don't think it
was players, because players played against us, they knew we
could play. You know. It was a lot of the
ones that haven't seen us that said, and you know
that's clown league and you know these guys, you know
what and all that, and you know we heard it,
(07:24):
you know, so we had we was on a mission,
you know when we became NBA players, um, and we
proved to the NBA world that we were worthy, that
we belong right alongside them to be recognized as NBA grades,
And no question about that. I want to take you
(07:45):
back your early days from moment you mentioned Detroit and
growing up the inner city Detroit. When I think at
Detroit back in the day, I think of Cobo Hall
and and Dave bing Bang battled out of his hands,
bank recovers, turns and jumps good. That's my earliest collection.
I think Dave the Buscher actually played for the Pistons
before he went to the next to what's your earliest
(08:06):
memory and when did you get caught into this basketball thing? Why?
You know, cob because y'all played, you know, in the city.
So our championship games we played at Cobo Hal so
you know that was the Troit Pistons, Uh, you know,
Whome Arena. So obviously I had a you know, a
young relationship with it, you know, as a high school player.
And obviously I saw you know, Dave being Jimmy Walker,
(08:30):
you know, Jail and Dad and me come up, Bob
Lanier being coached me in my high school All Star game,
you know, and being told me this being saved. You know,
I got m v P. He said, Man, if you
keep playing like that, you're gonna play against me. Let
Me'm talking about seventy because I graduated in seventy. So
(08:54):
you know that for me to be able to see
that and experience that and from a pro like being man,
they would life changing. And Detroit is obviously a big
basketball city at a big music city. We're talking a
little bit about music before we came on today and
(09:15):
we're visiting with George Theisman Gervin. This is a sound
of spurs. I can't think of growing up in Detroit
in the sixties without being influenced by Motown and all
of what's going on culturally and musically in the community. Man,
come on, man, a Motown review. Man, we just go
to Motown Review for view for a dollar. So we
just see the Supremes, the marvel AT's, the Temptations, the Dramatics,
(09:39):
I mean, Marvin Gay, you know, come on, man, I
grew up in that kind of environment man, and at
the fox Stead, you know, so you know Motown played.
Uh you know, I think a very significant rhythm wise
role in my life, you know, coming up now, I
(10:02):
love Motown, but you know, also I was the jazz guy,
you know, so you know my house and Cold Train
Thelone is monthly Morrigan, you know, I had them, guys.
I grew up so you know, music wise, Detroit for
me was you know, the place where I you know,
learn to really appreciate, you know, the art of music.
And see I was a filling with the del Phonics,
(10:24):
Socibilistics and Harold Melvin the Blue Notes, and we talked
about Teddy Pendergrass before we started. In my opinion, the
most underrated soul singer. But but this is a basketball show,
not a music show. We can go on and on
off to Eastern Michigan Ice and he spent some time
there before you went into the pros. I loved the Eastern.
You know, Eastern was really my play ground in stage
(10:44):
to you know, give me that opportunity to take the
game to another level. I did love to play, man.
You know, I went to Long Beach State. First, I
left Tarkanian Long Beach and then I pansferred to Eastern Michigan.
That was that a little ulture shock for a kid
from Detroit going to California. How did that happen? Scared
me to death? And they had that um what they
(11:07):
called it the monsoon? What I win? And man that came. Man,
I thought the world was coming to the name. You know,
I never experienced anything like that. I called my mom,
and my mom ready to come home. Man, it's windy
here and and it won't stop. I mean, it really
kind of scared me. You know, I've been where I'm
in a city kid, and so you know, I got
(11:28):
up and left and transferred to Eastern Michigan. And you
know that's where I played a couple of years there
before you know, I was able to turn pro. I
believe they've retired your number there at Eastern Michigan, So
you've had your number retired at a few places. Uh.
One of the things about the A B A that
I always admired is the fact that there's so many
good players, but good coaches as well. And you had
some good coaches in the A B A. And I
(11:49):
see Hugh by Brown all the time, God bless him.
He's still going strong, uh Ia, and he's late eighties.
Of course he coached the Kentucky Colonels back then. If
you had a point to one or two memories, fond
memories you have are playing in that league, what would
they be well in just the pace to play, you know,
the youth, you know, the fun you know. Um. You
know in the end, before the end of the ABA
(12:12):
was only seventeen, so we played each other lives. You know,
we might play each other fifteen times, you know, doing
the season. So to be able to play against that
kind of talent, you know, Indiana I think was the
the team that was more dominant, you know, with um
George McGinnis and Roger Brown and them guys Mayo Daniels
(12:36):
and Darnelle Hillman, Dannelle Hillman. Uh, you know, they had
a great basketball franchise. Man. And then you know Kentucky
you know, had their run at it with artists and stuff,
and uh, Denver had some good teams. Denver had a
good team, you know. I mean ABA basketball was specially
(12:58):
I mean, if people really did research, they'll really see
we're playing a va basketball right now, whether or not
they want to accept it or not, you know, I
mean they got out three four. You know, they got
the game playing from outside in versus when we played
was inside out. I mean, so the game has got
(13:21):
to a point to where what it was when we played,
and that was entertainment, you know, and that's what we've
been and seeing now. I mean, you know, especially Golden
Statement winning, they're shooting the ball from the outside, you know,
and they got two I think the greatest shooters, uh
in this era. You know, with Play and Curby. A
(13:46):
lot of people don't realize that you actually spent some
time in Rome and in Italy. You went overseas. Were
you one of the first guys to go overseas? Quarter
kind of towards the end of your career because not
a lot of guys were doing it back. You know,
me and I could do. I think I could do
my win before me he was meant Madrid and I
was wrong. It was great experience, you know, especially after
(14:07):
my NBA career. You know, it was a good way
for me to come down from the game. You know,
we played one game a week. We played on Sunday
at five o'clock for thirty weeks, you know, so you
know you can imagine that schedule versus the NBA schedule.
I mean, it was like vacation, you know. But it
was beautiful, man. I mean my children, you know, went
(14:29):
to international school. I mean they gave me everything I
need to understand that. You know, it was it was
time to go. I mean, you know, I had a
wonderful NBA career, but you know there a few years
that I played overseas in Rome and in Barcelona. Man,
you know, it was really good for me and my family.
(14:51):
I should look around the league right now. Some of
the best players in the league, Yo Kitchens from Serbia
under the Komboas from Greece. To clear games between Drew
and you, honest, they leave up a wide open goes
on and on and on. Don't you just from Slovenia.
Here's Luca gets it away. That's good dagger. Joel Embide
(15:18):
from Cameroon. Them get to the Turk's gonna turn the
bucketsp turn sha score. All of these international players are
having a big impact on the game, and of course
the Spurs are one of the first teams to go international.
As you know, how is the international impact changed the
(15:41):
NBA global? Do you know the thing? Now? When I played,
it was only about four five in the league, you know,
um again, to see the evolution other Europeans coming and
being a part of the NBA, I think is one
of the greatest steps that the NBA may Now you
can really be worldtown. I mean, I don't look you
(16:02):
can call yourself that, but you got the world involved
in the NBA now, you know. I think for me
to see that transformation and then to see my own
franchise winning with quite a few European players, you know,
(16:23):
kind of just open people eyes that basketball players are
all around the world and if they get an opportunity
to be a part of the NBA, they can be
just as productive as the kids raised in the United States.
I remember doing an interview with the oh five and
you said something, this manusion Nobili kid, there's something about
(16:43):
him and you saw it him very early, maybe even
before OH five ice. But you look at what that
Spurs Big three did during that era with two international
players and of course with Tim being from the Virgin Islands.
And I know that you follow that era very closely.
What a special time and man that Spurs fans get
spoiled during that period of time, you know, to be
(17:04):
able to see it, you know, you know Genobody man,
he was, he was a Hall of Fame. He was special.
He came to work every night to the basket, puts up. Thanks.
Then it says that times puts up. It's a good time. Tony.
(17:33):
You know, Tony came, you know, and can't work. Parker
on the Joy I nearly lost its still troubling Parker.
The tutor Sooner just kicks it awful time parts water
shot for Parker. And then you had you know, Jim,
Timmy put the way got that so too doctor again. Leadership.
(18:03):
You know, I always relate to the leadership. You have
all the great players that you want, but if you
not don't have a system for them to sale in
and they buy into it, it won't work. So you know,
you gotta get Pop and his team all the credit
in the world meant to maintain that. It's a long year,
(18:23):
you know. I mean, but you did have the angle,
you the word weapons. I mean, you did have the talent,
you know, to make it work for not just one year,
for year in a year out, you know. So Yeah,
I am with you, nobody fan. I'm a Tony Partner fan.
I'm they robbed you know you, but I'm a spur. Yeah.
(18:48):
But you're also an ambassador to the NBA. And we've
been on some of these international trip sites and you
seem to join us all the time, and I know
that you really enjoy spending time with these foreign kids, uh.
And this Basketball Out Borders program and if the NBA
has come up with really explaining the game, You're just
mentioned the fact that it's global and you've had a
role in that because you're one of the first guys
to go over seas, And I know how much you
(19:08):
enjoy your role as an NBA ambassador when you get
these trips. I'm humbled by, you know, to still have
that kind of relationship, you know, with spurs and with
the lead, you know, and I think it's brilliant on
their part. You know, it's too exercise and relationship. You know,
(19:30):
because I can go overseas and I went over to
the China and did uh a tour. Man, I had
to post up. That's so big. Man. I couldn't believe
the love that they showed for me, you know, over
in China. You know. So you know, like I said, Man,
(19:56):
I ain't played him forty years, you know, to have
that kind of love and appreciation man of yours, you know,
of your your ability and you know and how you
played is uh. You know, I'm so thankful for the
NBA to you know, give me that opportunity to you know,
(20:16):
see how people appreciate it. Uh. You know my game.
We mentioned the very top of the show that we
were coming your way from the George Gurvan Academy, and
a lot of people in San Antonio obviously are very familiar,
but some might not be. Um, bring us update on
what the academy is doing and how you guys are
kind of staying ahead in the education game. I am
(20:36):
it's probably before the pandemic. Hundred kids cater to well
you know, we became in a school. We started off
as a dropout recovery school in the eighties, you know. Um,
you know, we started off in a strip mall in
the beginning. You know. Um. Building that you're in we
(21:01):
built ten years ago, now, you know. Um, it's it's
a passion that I always had about education, you know,
because you know, I know a lot of guys, you know, girls,
sports minded, entertainment minded. But you know, like I know
how hard it is to make it in that system.
(21:26):
So I always try to give you. Okay, your plan
is to be a pro what's your plan? B what's
your plan? See you know, I mean so to be
able to talk to kids and get them up to
understand you can't put all your eggs in one basket
because it may not work. And then what you're gonna
do this is that I'm so proud of my school.
(21:49):
I'm proud of my sister Barbara. Um you know her brains, um,
you know, to create such a beautiful program. Um. Um.
You know we build retirement homes for senior citizens, low income, uh,
for low income some people. Um. My last one that
(22:12):
I built over you know, if Ben Dara is called
the George Gervan Retirement Home and it's about fifty five
unit and when we had the grand opening filter up
the next day. But what was amazing to me was
the guy grabbing and said, Mr. Gurvan, I'm gonna die here.
(22:33):
I'm saying what you mean if you're saying, man, cause
I got a roof over my head man that I
didn't have, and this is where I know I'm gonna
finish my life. So we don't know that, you know,
we don't know how people struggle. You know, sometimes we
don't know man with a handshake, man with a smile,
(22:53):
a dude for somebody's life, you know, So us being
able to create these kind of facilities man, for people
that just didn't have a roof over your head. Man,
come on, man, it's it's it's it's just so humbling. Man.
But I learned that from being in the Spurs franchise
because you know, after basketball and many relations, and I'm
(23:16):
still associated with the community relations, you know, after all
these years. I mean, and I I contribute a lot
of that, men, because I know how the Spurge been
throughout this community man for years and years. Man. So
that's how I kind of got my idea to do
what I'm doing. I have a model that works, you know.
(23:38):
That's why they show beloved in this time, you know,
because it's a two edged roy. I want you to
just buy tickets. I want to help with your needs
as a community. You know, if we all can make
it work. Man. Why I love this franchise, man, and
that's why I'm so proud to still be a part
of it's spite the legacy you're leaving nice. Thank you
very much for the time. We appreciate it. And um
(23:58):
now I'll be seeing you throughout the year. And you're
to see these young guys, right, guys, Man, I love
to see you. Man. They're fun, they're fun team to watch. Man.
They are young, but they fund to watch Man and
they play hard, and then you know they're gonna have
a lot of success this year. We're looking forward to it.
Thanks very much. That's George the Ice Band Girvan our
inaugural edition of the Sound of Spurs podcast. Thanks for
(24:20):
joining us. I'm Bill showing
Dervan. I mean, is he are human highlight film or
is he? Yes? He is? Are your German driving. Here's
Dermon trying to back down through the lane, looking at
(00:22):
underhand so big, and he picks the ball on the
way up and just underhanded him. Oh what a whole girl. Believable.
And now a word from our presenting sponsor, Frost Bank.
(00:47):
It's not about your highlight reel. It's about reaching new
heights each and every day. It's not about if he's
sit in the nosebleeds a courtside. It's about showing up good.
It's not about wins. It's about winning over others by
treating them right. It's about more than money. Frost the
(01:11):
official bank of the San Antonio Spurs Alone. Welcome to
a very special edition of Sound and Spurs as a
brand new podcast, and we're very very proud to have
one of the legendary Spurs with us, George the Geisman Gerbon.
(01:32):
Before we get to George the Eisman Gervan, we want
to tell you that we're coming your way from one
of the gymnasiums at the George Gervan Academy and we'll
be talking a lot more about the academy as we
move on this evening. But we can't have a Spurs
podcast without talking to the legend number forty four himself. Uh,
member of the Name Smith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame,
(01:52):
proud son of the city of Detroit and of course
the city of San Antonio as well. George the Eisman
gern Ice. Very very good to view, and we're so
happy that you decided to join us. And if you
believe the Spurs are fifty years old, yeah, because I've
been here, you know what I mean. But you know,
for me to see the team evolved over all these years, um,
(02:19):
it's amazing. Um. And you know what I mean, you
you know, you just really got to sit back and
meditate on it. I mean, we're going from the seventies,
you know, we're going from a franchise that was at
least in the beginning, you know, and then ball a
year or so later and then become you know, the Spurs.
(02:42):
So I have seen the evolution of that. And when
you say fifty years, wow, I'm proud to still be
able to understand and and and and see the history
of his Spurs and you know, just make you feel good.
I've had the opportunity used to be in this league.
(03:03):
Now for twenty two years, I get to travel all
over the place. And the relationship that the Spurs fans
have in the city of San Antonio has with the
Spurs is very unique. Did you see that from the
very beginning? And how has that grown from that very beginning?
It ain't change. I mean, fans have always loved the Spurs.
I mean it's you know, when we played in smaller
(03:26):
arena at the Hemisphere, I think there was a little
bit more up close. You know, they had that kind
of relation with it. You know, when you talk about fans,
you got to talk about baseline bons. You know, baseline
bones was a part of the game. Uh you know
back when you know, when we played, I mean, they
(03:48):
would just wrap up in your face, you know. I
mean so fan wise, um and I said, we have
best fans that a sports franchise can have. Man, And
you know, I'm I'm proud of him. You know, I'm
proud of their loyalty, um, you know to the Spurs.
(04:08):
Um proud of how they have been supportive of this
franchise from the beginning. When the Chaparrals moved here, they
didn't have a lot of success in Dallas. They didn't
catch on in Dallas. And of course Dallas has a
lot of other stuff going on, right They've got the
Dallas Cowboys and a Major League Baseball But why do
(04:29):
you think the Spurs caught on as quickly as they
did in San Antonio? Well, everything comes leadership, you know.
I don't think we would be remiss not to talk
about the leaders of the franchise. You know, talk about Angelo,
dross Um, you know, you talk about Red mccoon. They
had a vision, you know. I mean, they saw what
(04:52):
a lot of us didn't see, you know, um, and
they was able to utilize that franchise, and they saw
that they could make it work, and they did. You know,
anytime I think of the Spurge in the beginning, I
think of Angelo, you know. Um, you know, people don't
know the vision he had, you know, people don't know
(05:15):
about this All Star weekend, you know. I mean that's
a vision of Angelo and Carl Scher, you know, you know,
I mean this is the kind of vision that they
had way in the beginning, you know. And I don't
think they get enough credit for it. And as long
as I'm alive, I'm always you know, give them they
(05:39):
do because they are part of that foundation. Kid growing
up in Philadelphia, like me, all I knew about San
Antonio was the Alamo. That's all I heard about, right,
And then here comes this basketball team in San Antonio, Texas.
And I don't think it's in his gaggeration. Ice, I
don't know what you think, but it's safe to say
that the Spurs put San Antonio on the map for
a lot of people around the country. And you think
(06:00):
about what I mean. I come from Detroit, inner city,
you know, and then I come from Virginia squise. You know,
I know nothing about sating tone. You know, I'll go
out of the sating tone. I'm like you history. Why
I don't think you didn't know about is the ALBUMO.
(06:22):
You know. But once I got here, and then once
I started playing, I mean, it was a place that
you just slowly fell in love with. You know. It
was the environment, and it was the weather, you know,
it was the people. You know, it was the food,
I mean, and you fell in love with it. And
(06:44):
you guys had it going off from the very beginning
to I believe that first Spurst team in the NBA
average a hundred and fifteen points a game, was the
leading scoring team in the NBA that first season. So
when there were some folks that thought the ABA teams
might take a while to adjust, that was not the case.
With San Antonio Spurs proved. There was a lot of
(07:04):
talk in the NBA circles, and I don't think it
was players, because players played against us, they knew we
could play. You know. It was a lot of the
ones that haven't seen us that said, and you know
that's clown league and you know these guys, you know
what and all that, and you know we heard it,
(07:24):
you know, so we had we was on a mission,
you know when we became NBA players, um, and we
proved to the NBA world that we were worthy, that
we belong right alongside them to be recognized as NBA grades,
And no question about that. I want to take you
(07:45):
back your early days from moment you mentioned Detroit and
growing up the inner city Detroit. When I think at
Detroit back in the day, I think of Cobo Hall
and and Dave bing Bang battled out of his hands,
bank recovers, turns and jumps good. That's my earliest collection.
I think Dave the Buscher actually played for the Pistons
before he went to the next to what's your earliest
(08:06):
memory and when did you get caught into this basketball thing? Why?
You know, cob because y'all played, you know, in the city.
So our championship games we played at Cobo Hal so
you know that was the Troit Pistons, Uh, you know,
Whome Arena. So obviously I had a you know, a
young relationship with it, you know, as a high school player.
And obviously I saw you know, Dave being Jimmy Walker,
(08:30):
you know, Jail and Dad and me come up, Bob
Lanier being coached me in my high school All Star game,
you know, and being told me this being saved. You know,
I got m v P. He said, Man, if you
keep playing like that, you're gonna play against me. Let
Me'm talking about seventy because I graduated in seventy. So
(08:54):
you know that for me to be able to see
that and experience that and from a pro like being man,
they would life changing. And Detroit is obviously a big
basketball city at a big music city. We're talking a
little bit about music before we came on today and
(09:15):
we're visiting with George Theisman Gervin. This is a sound
of spurs. I can't think of growing up in Detroit
in the sixties without being influenced by Motown and all
of what's going on culturally and musically in the community. Man,
come on, man, a Motown review. Man, we just go
to Motown Review for view for a dollar. So we
just see the Supremes, the marvel AT's, the Temptations, the Dramatics,
(09:39):
I mean, Marvin Gay, you know, come on, man, I
grew up in that kind of environment man, and at
the fox Stead, you know, so you know Motown played.
Uh you know, I think a very significant rhythm wise
role in my life, you know, coming up now, I
(10:02):
love Motown, but you know, also I was the jazz guy,
you know, so you know my house and Cold Train
Thelone is monthly Morrigan, you know, I had them, guys.
I grew up so you know, music wise, Detroit for
me was you know, the place where I you know,
learn to really appreciate, you know, the art of music.
And see I was a filling with the del Phonics,
(10:24):
Socibilistics and Harold Melvin the Blue Notes, and we talked
about Teddy Pendergrass before we started. In my opinion, the
most underrated soul singer. But but this is a basketball show,
not a music show. We can go on and on
off to Eastern Michigan Ice and he spent some time
there before you went into the pros. I loved the Eastern.
You know, Eastern was really my play ground in stage
(10:44):
to you know, give me that opportunity to take the
game to another level. I did love to play, man.
You know, I went to Long Beach State. First, I
left Tarkanian Long Beach and then I pansferred to Eastern Michigan.
That was that a little ulture shock for a kid
from Detroit going to California. How did that happen? Scared
me to death? And they had that um what they
(11:07):
called it the monsoon? What I win? And man that came. Man,
I thought the world was coming to the name. You know,
I never experienced anything like that. I called my mom,
and my mom ready to come home. Man, it's windy
here and and it won't stop. I mean, it really
kind of scared me. You know, I've been where I'm
in a city kid, and so you know, I got
(11:28):
up and left and transferred to Eastern Michigan. And you
know that's where I played a couple of years there
before you know, I was able to turn pro. I
believe they've retired your number there at Eastern Michigan, So
you've had your number retired at a few places. Uh.
One of the things about the A B A that
I always admired is the fact that there's so many
good players, but good coaches as well. And you had
some good coaches in the A B A. And I
(11:49):
see Hugh by Brown all the time, God bless him.
He's still going strong, uh Ia, and he's late eighties.
Of course he coached the Kentucky Colonels back then. If
you had a point to one or two memories, fond
memories you have are playing in that league, what would
they be well in just the pace to play, you know,
the youth, you know, the fun you know. Um. You
know in the end, before the end of the ABA
(12:12):
was only seventeen, so we played each other lives. You know,
we might play each other fifteen times, you know, doing
the season. So to be able to play against that
kind of talent, you know, Indiana I think was the
the team that was more dominant, you know, with um
George McGinnis and Roger Brown and them guys Mayo Daniels
(12:36):
and Darnelle Hillman, Dannelle Hillman. Uh, you know, they had
a great basketball franchise. Man. And then you know Kentucky
you know, had their run at it with artists and stuff,
and uh, Denver had some good teams. Denver had a
good team, you know. I mean ABA basketball was specially
(12:58):
I mean, if people really did research, they'll really see
we're playing a va basketball right now, whether or not
they want to accept it or not, you know, I
mean they got out three four. You know, they got
the game playing from outside in versus when we played
was inside out. I mean, so the game has got
(13:21):
to a point to where what it was when we played,
and that was entertainment, you know, and that's what we've
been and seeing now. I mean, you know, especially Golden
Statement winning, they're shooting the ball from the outside, you know,
and they got two I think the greatest shooters, uh
in this era. You know, with Play and Curby. A
(13:46):
lot of people don't realize that you actually spent some
time in Rome and in Italy. You went overseas. Were
you one of the first guys to go overseas? Quarter
kind of towards the end of your career because not
a lot of guys were doing it back. You know,
me and I could do. I think I could do
my win before me he was meant Madrid and I
was wrong. It was great experience, you know, especially after
(14:07):
my NBA career. You know, it was a good way
for me to come down from the game. You know,
we played one game a week. We played on Sunday
at five o'clock for thirty weeks, you know, so you
know you can imagine that schedule versus the NBA schedule.
I mean, it was like vacation, you know. But it
was beautiful, man. I mean my children, you know, went
(14:29):
to international school. I mean they gave me everything I
need to understand that. You know, it was it was
time to go. I mean, you know, I had a
wonderful NBA career, but you know there a few years
that I played overseas in Rome and in Barcelona. Man,
you know, it was really good for me and my family.
(14:51):
I should look around the league right now. Some of
the best players in the league, Yo Kitchens from Serbia
under the Komboas from Greece. To clear games between Drew
and you, honest, they leave up a wide open goes
on and on and on. Don't you just from Slovenia.
Here's Luca gets it away. That's good dagger. Joel Embide
(15:18):
from Cameroon. Them get to the Turk's gonna turn the
bucketsp turn sha score. All of these international players are
having a big impact on the game, and of course
the Spurs are one of the first teams to go international.
As you know, how is the international impact changed the
(15:41):
NBA global? Do you know the thing? Now? When I played,
it was only about four five in the league, you know,
um again, to see the evolution other Europeans coming and
being a part of the NBA, I think is one
of the greatest steps that the NBA may Now you
can really be worldtown. I mean, I don't look you
(16:02):
can call yourself that, but you got the world involved
in the NBA now, you know. I think for me
to see that transformation and then to see my own
franchise winning with quite a few European players, you know,
(16:23):
kind of just open people eyes that basketball players are
all around the world and if they get an opportunity
to be a part of the NBA, they can be
just as productive as the kids raised in the United States.
I remember doing an interview with the oh five and
you said something, this manusion Nobili kid, there's something about
(16:43):
him and you saw it him very early, maybe even
before OH five ice. But you look at what that
Spurs Big three did during that era with two international
players and of course with Tim being from the Virgin Islands.
And I know that you follow that era very closely.
What a special time and man that Spurs fans get
spoiled during that period of time, you know, to be
(17:04):
able to see it, you know, you know Genobody man,
he was, he was a Hall of Fame. He was special.
He came to work every night to the basket, puts up. Thanks.
Then it says that times puts up. It's a good time. Tony.
(17:33):
You know, Tony came, you know, and can't work. Parker
on the Joy I nearly lost its still troubling Parker.
The tutor Sooner just kicks it awful time parts water
shot for Parker. And then you had you know, Jim,
Timmy put the way got that so too doctor again. Leadership.
(18:03):
You know, I always relate to the leadership. You have
all the great players that you want, but if you
not don't have a system for them to sale in
and they buy into it, it won't work. So you know,
you gotta get Pop and his team all the credit
in the world meant to maintain that. It's a long year,
(18:23):
you know. I mean, but you did have the angle,
you the word weapons. I mean, you did have the talent,
you know, to make it work for not just one year,
for year in a year out, you know. So Yeah,
I am with you, nobody fan. I'm a Tony Partner fan.
I'm they robbed you know you, but I'm a spur. Yeah.
(18:48):
But you're also an ambassador to the NBA. And we've
been on some of these international trip sites and you
seem to join us all the time, and I know
that you really enjoy spending time with these foreign kids, uh.
And this Basketball Out Borders program and if the NBA
has come up with really explaining the game, You're just
mentioned the fact that it's global and you've had a
role in that because you're one of the first guys
to go over seas, And I know how much you
(19:08):
enjoy your role as an NBA ambassador when you get
these trips. I'm humbled by, you know, to still have
that kind of relationship, you know, with spurs and with
the lead, you know, and I think it's brilliant on
their part. You know, it's too exercise and relationship. You know,
(19:30):
because I can go overseas and I went over to
the China and did uh a tour. Man, I had
to post up. That's so big. Man. I couldn't believe
the love that they showed for me, you know, over
in China. You know. So you know, like I said, Man,
(19:56):
I ain't played him forty years, you know, to have
that kind of love and appreciation man of yours, you know,
of your your ability and you know and how you
played is uh. You know, I'm so thankful for the
NBA to you know, give me that opportunity to you know,
(20:16):
see how people appreciate it. Uh. You know my game.
We mentioned the very top of the show that we
were coming your way from the George Gurvan Academy, and
a lot of people in San Antonio obviously are very familiar,
but some might not be. Um, bring us update on
what the academy is doing and how you guys are
kind of staying ahead in the education game. I am
(20:36):
it's probably before the pandemic. Hundred kids cater to well
you know, we became in a school. We started off
as a dropout recovery school in the eighties, you know. Um,
you know, we started off in a strip mall in
the beginning. You know. Um. Building that you're in we
(21:01):
built ten years ago, now, you know. Um, it's it's
a passion that I always had about education, you know,
because you know, I know a lot of guys, you know, girls,
sports minded, entertainment minded. But you know, like I know
how hard it is to make it in that system.
(21:26):
So I always try to give you. Okay, your plan
is to be a pro what's your plan? B what's
your plan? See you know, I mean so to be
able to talk to kids and get them up to
understand you can't put all your eggs in one basket
because it may not work. And then what you're gonna
do this is that I'm so proud of my school.
(21:49):
I'm proud of my sister Barbara. Um you know her brains, um,
you know, to create such a beautiful program. Um. Um.
You know we build retirement homes for senior citizens, low income, uh,
for low income some people. Um. My last one that
(22:12):
I built over you know, if Ben Dara is called
the George Gervan Retirement Home and it's about fifty five
unit and when we had the grand opening filter up
the next day. But what was amazing to me was
the guy grabbing and said, Mr. Gurvan, I'm gonna die here.
(22:33):
I'm saying what you mean if you're saying, man, cause
I got a roof over my head man that I
didn't have, and this is where I know I'm gonna
finish my life. So we don't know that, you know,
we don't know how people struggle. You know, sometimes we
don't know man with a handshake, man with a smile,
(22:53):
a dude for somebody's life, you know, So us being
able to create these kind of facilities man, for people
that just didn't have a roof over your head. Man,
come on, man, it's it's it's it's just so humbling. Man.
But I learned that from being in the Spurs franchise
because you know, after basketball and many relations, and I'm
(23:16):
still associated with the community relations, you know, after all
these years. I mean, and I I contribute a lot
of that, men, because I know how the Spurge been
throughout this community man for years and years. Man. So
that's how I kind of got my idea to do
what I'm doing. I have a model that works, you know.
(23:38):
That's why they show beloved in this time, you know,
because it's a two edged roy. I want you to
just buy tickets. I want to help with your needs
as a community. You know, if we all can make
it work. Man. Why I love this franchise, man, and
that's why I'm so proud to still be a part
of it's spite the legacy you're leaving nice. Thank you
very much for the time. We appreciate it. And um
(23:58):
now I'll be seeing you throughout the year. And you're
to see these young guys, right, guys, Man, I love
to see you. Man. They're fun, they're fun team to watch. Man.
They are young, but they fund to watch Man and
they play hard, and then you know they're gonna have
a lot of success this year. We're looking forward to it.
Thanks very much. That's George the Ice Band Girvan our
inaugural edition of the Sound of Spurs podcast. Thanks for
(24:20):
joining us. I'm Bill showing
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