Following the Spurs title that year, someone took a photo from the team’s plane. It remains unclear who took the photo, but it’s clear that Robinson, Rose, Hall of Famer Tim Duncan, and Sean Elliott are playing the video game StarCraft on their laptops. Larry O’Brien’s winning trophy is in the corner of the frame.
The photo went viral many times on platforms like Reddit and Twitter, and people were surprised to see NBA championship teams celebrating their titles, immersing themselves in real-time strategy games as if they were high school porn clubs. There was a post to express. In contrast, the Chicago Bulls, led by defending champion Michael Jordan, appeared on the midseason cover of Sports Illustrated, playing cards on the aisle floor of an airplane. The card was also favored by championship teams such as the 1973 New York Knicks. Other photos from NBA team planes typically show players listening to music, eating, reading, or otherwise relaxing. This shot of the Spurs features his LAN party, the way ’90s gamers interconnected their computers to play against each other.
“I’m used to having fun with planes, dice games and card games, so when I got to Spurs it was like being in church.” said to have brought “They were very nice people and shook hands with everyone. I had to change that up a bit.”
Rose said he played video games before joining the team in 1997, referring to series such as Madden, Zelda and Diablo. However, it was Sean Elliott, whom he called the “Yoda” of the group, who turned him and Tim Duncan (both in their first few years at the time) specifically into “StarCraft”.
“I saw him play with Dave Robinson, so like when you see older players doing something, younger players started doing it,” said Rose. said of himself and Duncan.
“StarCraft” is a sci-fi real-time strategy game produced by Blizzard Entertainment. First released in 1998, the game spawned a popular sequel and several expansion packs and add-ons. Its competitive esports scene is highlighted by The International, a global championship that regularly features prize pools in the tens of millions.
Centered around three distinct races fighting in a galaxy far, far away, the acclaimed title features a story campaign and multiple multiplayer modes such as flag capture, deathmatch, and brawl as players attempt to destroy each other’s bases. It is characterized.
Asked whether he feels team leaders playing “StarCraft” reflect a different team culture compared to Jordan and Pippen playing high-stakes cards, Rose said yes. I said it is possible. Still, he points out:
That’s not to say that “StarCraft” didn’t have its merits. According to Rose, playing with this group of three of his teammates—the group was dubbed the “IBM Gang” by the rest of the team—has improved his performance on the court.
“Whenever we spend a lot of time together, we like each other more and become closer,” he said.
The “StarCraft” sessions weren’t as intense or described as intense as the Bulls’ card game. (Rose said the gambling took place during his game shooting on the court during practice.) Still, the IBM gang took video games seriously. Rhodes said the players will be able to return to the team bus after the game, grab their laptops, and jump right on board.
“I started playing in hotels because my game got so good. Whenever I wasn’t on the court, I was playing games,” Rose said.
“[Robinson] I was obsessed with his computer,” recalls Gaze. “I didn’t understand it. It wasn’t my way of doing it. …But I was kind of envious,” he said.
Elie also said he didn’t play, but remembered how often the IBM gang played.
“I remember them playing at every road game,” Ellie said. “The four of them were playing all the time… just to relax. They were very competitive.”
Ellie compared that Spurs team to the New England Patriots in terms of professionalism and leadership. “It was kind of a geek-type team,” he said. “I will consider [Spurs Head Coach Gregg] Popovich [Patriots Head Coach Bill] Belichick, just right. And I didn’t have to worry about where that team member was at night. “
The gaze agreed. “That team wasn’t doing anything that would hurt their focus,” he said.
After the Spurs defeated the New York Knicks in Game 5 of the NBA Finals in New York City, Rose recalled partying with his teammates to celebrate. However, on the team’s flight back to San Antonio, with nothing else to do, they smashed their laptops and started playing.
One of the memories that stuck with Rose after the game from the moment the picture was taken was a candid comment from Robinson, who said he was one of the smartest people Rose had ever met.
“David could literally build a plane, but we were joking about how he forgot things,” Rose said. “We left the huddle and he asked, ‘What’s the play we’re running? “
On the plane, Rose said “out of nowhere” that Robinson might receive a bonus for winning the title, but wasn’t sure.
“He said if we got a bonus, he would buy us a Rolex, and he did it the next week,” Rose said.
Rose was traded to the Knicks in 2005, but continued to play with his Spurs teammates in ‘StarCraft’ before eventually moving to ‘World of Warcraft’ and then ‘League of Legends’. , played together for “hours” online.
Robinson and Duncan led the Spurs on the court and ended their careers as two of the best big men in the game, but when it came to “StarCraft,” they weren’t even team MVPs.
“To be honest, Sean was the best back then,” he said.
