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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Lance Blanks, entering his third season as the General Manager of the Phoenix Suns, served in a variety of roles within the Spurs basketball operations and broadcast department from 2000-05. In his first year, he began as a scout for head coach Gregg Popovich and in 2002 was promoted to the role of director of scouting. He also served as the Spurs television analyst for two seasons from 2003-05. Blanks took some time postgame following the Suns matchup against the Spurs on Jan. 28 to speak with Spurs.com.
On working in two different departments within the Spurs organization:
“It was a very fun and great learning experience. I was exposed to many different portions of the organization. I worked with very good people while working with the broadcasting department. Dick Stockton mentored me and I was able to call games and watch games from that perspective. R.C. Buford did a great job with the scouting department and the front office. I was in coaching meetings with Coach Pop and that group, just learning from everyone. It was great training and enabled me to move along with my career and be at a place I am now.”
On his favorite memories with the Silver and Black:
“The two NBA championships, that’s for sure. There are countless memories. Some of the signings and some of the players we brought here who flourished. Bruce Bowen was one. Watching Tony Parker grow was another. I was here when he was an 18-year-old kid and watched him grow into a man. The examples could go on forever. “
On his memories of San Antonio:
“I am from Texas. I went to school right down the road at UT (the University of Texas). I’ve always had that link and connection here. I was born in Del Rio. San Antonio has a wonderful community. I got to meet a lot of friends. I served on the board of a local hall of fame group and was able to go out and golf some. It was a great community. It feels like a portion of my home, even though I grew up in Houston and being from Del Rio. I have Texas is in my blood. My family and I had a great time here.”
On his favorite places in San Antonio:
“I love most of the Mexican food joints, Taco Cabana and La Fogata. Chester’s has wonderful hamburgers. The list goes on to grab a bite to eat. I’ve been gone seven or eight years, so I hear there are even more cool restaurants and places to eat in town. I used to hang out at the Quarry a lot. I enjoyed my time there.”