THE MAIL
Fans often forget the circus atmosphere that surrounded the Spurs in the early 1990s: six coaches in five years, bad trades and an exploding water cannon that soaked the crowd in the Alamodome. When Gregg Popovich took over as coach, in '96, he quickly turned things around by bringing discipline and stability to a franchise that just couldn't get things right.
David Firth, Reno
Pop Culture
Popovich's philosophy about the importance of building relationships (Pop Art) is one of the secrets of good teaching, whether it be in sports, in the classroom or in everyday life. It's a lesson that many high school and college coaches could stand to learn instead of using teaching methods that often include the useless, over-the-top halftime speeches and screaming lectures you see in sports movies.
David Suitts, Charlottesville, Va.
So Much with So Little
Richard Hoffer's masterly tribute to Pat Summerall (SCORECARD) was perfect. It was concise and understated, almost as if Summerall had composed it himself.
George Barry Bertram Campbellsville, Ky.
Team Tinsletown
While I enjoyed Paul Pabst's list of Hollywood quarterbacks (Is This Your Franchise QB?), I was shocked when I saw the lineup for Andrew Perloff's All-Pro team. How could the Jackson brothers from The Replacements be left out at the guard position? Jamal Abdul Jackson and André (Action) Jackson (played by Faizon Love and Michael Taliferro) were a force in the middle, even by Hollywood standards.
Jacques-Alexis Bernardin, Montreal
Charlton Heston's Cat Catlan from the movie Number One should have definitely made your list. He was a real "fat cat in a violent world," a hard-drinking Saints quarterback from the pre--Archie Manning era.
Tom Lee, Okemos, Mich.
I loved your choice of Reno Hightower as the No. 1 movie QB of all time; however, you failed to list what was possibly his greatest strength: the ability to win back his estranged wife by singing old Carpenters songs.
Kevin Conroy, Apex, N.C.
Haste Makes Waste
I appreciate the drive and competitiveness that inspired Kevin Durant's quote on your cover. Still, I was somewhat put off by his constant whining and complaining in your feature story (How 'bout Them Apples?). Perhaps if Durant had waited another year or two before turning pro, he would have been able to fine-tune his skills and reach his goal of becoming the No. 1 pick in the draft. Sometimes good things really do come to those who wait.
J. Michael Shaw II, Munising, Mich.
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SOCIAL MEDIA
Where do you think former Jets quarterback Tim Tebow will end up next season?
Gavin Wroblewski He'll probably end up in Arizona. No other team will take him, and the Cardinals have a serious crisis at quarterback.
Landon Rhoads In Cleveland. If Brandon Weeden continues to struggle, it would make sense for the Browns to give Tebow a shot.
Brendan Feifer If he would convert to tight end, he could fill a gap for many teams. However, he won't play quarterback again in the NFL, that's for sure.
Timmy Linscott Maybe on ABC as the next Bachelor.
Jason Maridon He'll be on ESPN's College GameDay sitting next to another Gators QB who wasn't very good in the NFL, Jesse Palmer.
Brandon Schwartz On the sideline as a part of Urban Meyer's coaching staff at Ohio State.
Russ Viau Either in the CFL or out of football altogether. He's a great guy, but that alone won't get you far in the NFL.
TWEET OF THE WEEK
"JOBA'S [CHAMBERLAIN] 'DON'T SHUSH ME' COMMENT IS RIGHT UP THERE WITH MARTY MCFLY'S 'NOBODY CALLS ME CHICKEN.'" #YANKEES
STEVE FEITL (@STEVEFEITL)
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FOR April 29, 2013
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