For years, downtown San Antonio and Military Drive were quiet. Well, not really, but they were devoid of that chorus of car horns that can only mean one thing: a Spurs playoff win. This season marks the first time the Spurs made it to the playoffs since 2019, and the first time we've won a series since 2017 -- so naturally, the city is rowdy.
We love that energy, and it feels good to say the Spurs are SO back. But after multiple videos showing chaotic scenes of flipped cars, gasoline fires in the street, graffiti and even arrests, is the novelty of the celebratory honk wearing thin?
A spokesperson for Spurs Sports & Entertainment told MySA their message for fans is this: "Thank you for being the best fans in the NBA. Let's celebrate safe, respect our city and each other, and show up for the Silver & Black the right way. Por Vida!"
Meanwhile, MySA asked readers: "How do y'all really feel about the honking?"
Responses were mixed. One Facebook commenter named Alicia Conde wrote that honking after each win is premature and used to be reserved for series wins and championships. Conde added that she believes the antics shown in viral videos "makes our city look gross." Another commenter named Rick Arias wrote that the majority of young San Antonians who go honking "basically are out there to take advantage of the situation and aren't really Spurs fans," adding that they're "just out there to cause damage and trouble."
That kind of sentiment was a common one across responses. And one commenter asked the real question: "Who's got gas money for that?"
But not everyone felt so strongly. One Facebook commenter named Tami Garcia said, "I imagine the reason it's happening now after every play off win is because its been a while since we've been in the playoffs and people need something good to celebrate right now." However, she added, "I don't agree with the absolute as*holery going on in the streets. That is not how we celebrate our team. We are better than that and it does not represent what we stand for. People need to use that pent up energy for something else."
For others, like Facebook commenter Joshua Lopez, "All I hear is the sound of winning, y'all must hate winning if this is how you react lol."
Others basically said the city needs some joy, and honking provides it. "It's been so long since we've had a chance to celebrate like this. So long since they've been in the playoffs!! We should be able to celebrate while we can," wrote Instagram commenter @vinilioussatx. "If we're back in it next year then maybe we will be cool with going honking after winning a round rather than every game won."
Echoing that, @mdvweele said it's the "first time in a long time there's been a reason to honk," writing that "every win in the playoffs is fine and fun for this season. Next season I hope we save it for the big moments."
And lastly, some locals said that San Antonio's willingness to party on every occasion, no matter how small, is part of our charm. We're a rowdy city, and we love our Spurs. "San Antonio has always been like this," @crx_can2 wrote on Instagram. "That's what makes us san antonio."
All in all, keep doing your thing, Spurs fans. There's a reason why the players keep saying San Antonio has the best fans in the league -- because we're loud, unabashed and totally 210. Just make sure you're keeping yourself and others safe as you do so.
