Throughout the season spurs.com will celebrate the Spurs 40th Anniversary by visiting with former players, coaches and front office staff to discuss their experiences with the organization and the city of San Antonio.
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Joel Meyers, currently the play-by-play announcer for the New Orleans Hornets television broadcast, served as the voice of the San Antonio Spurs for four seasons from 1999-2003. Meyers has been in sports broadcasting for 25 years and has won two Emmy awards. He took some time to speak with Spurs.com before the Hornets vs. Spurs game on Dec. 21.
On his time with the Spurs:
“It was four of the best years I have ever had in my career, by far. The people I worked with here were amazing. Gregg Popovich might be the most loyal person I’ve ever worked with in my entire career. I was abused on the other side by P.J. Carlesimo. It was a breath of fresh air when I got to work with Sean Elliott. Everything that happened to me when I was with the Spurs was always positive. It was incredible and it was unforgettable, actually.
On his favorite memory as the voice of the Spurs:
“The whole season. The whole 2003 championship season. The way everything fell into place. It was a magical time. It was maybe the most exciting time I’ve ever had as a broadcaster. To be a part of it and watch the team grow. Just the way they defended. The way they shared the ball and shared overall as a group. We would go down to the lobby at the hotel to go to dinner and most of the team would be there. They were going to dinner as a group and it usually took two tables for the whole team to sit. They liked each other that much. It was an incredible time. I don’t know if I’ll ever see anything like it again.”
On his favorite places in San Antonio:
“I lived over by the Quarry. They were sick of me at Paesanos. That’s obvious. Joe Cosniac was like ‘you again.’ Everything was great. Trips to Whataburger late at night after games when we got in off the charter at one or two in the morning. You had to have it. You’re hungry and you’re still wired. There were lots of trips to Whataburger. Hsiu Yu on Broadway. We had that once or twice a week.”
On working with the team:
“It was early in Tony’s career. Tony was really young. Everyone was trying to give him fatherly advice, even though his Dad came to games. Tony was a puppy. Manu had just joined the team. Tim’s career was off and running at that point. David was at the end of his career. The relationships that you had because we were all part of their family. That’s what was different now in this day in age. It’s not that long ago, just 10 seasons ago, that you were truly a part of. They made you a part it. All the meals I had with the coaching staff, just the experiences I had. The night after winning the championship and walking out of Paesanos about five or six in the morning. We were all there. It was tough saying goodbye to everyone. You really cared that much for everybody. I came in early and stayed late. I really liked the people I worked with that much.”
On coming back to San Antonio:
“I wish I had a car every time I came, so I could drive out and away. The barbeque at Rudy’s, the original one off Boerne Stage exit, across from the famous Leon Springs Dance Hall. The only thing I miss is that I land here and don’t have car to drive around. I’m a visitor. I still feel like there’s a little part of me here.”