“Washed Up”. “Over-the-Hill”. “Past his Prime”. These were all phrases used to describe Spurs GM Andrew Owers heading into the 2021 season. After winning League MVP and leading his Spurs team to a successful championship run in the 2016 season, Owers participated as a player in only one of the following four seasons. Initially, it looked like, in 2021, yet again, Owers would only grace the BGBL with his presence when wearing black and white stripes. However, just days before the 2021 draft, the long-time veteran would announce his return to the league as not only a player, but as a GM, bringing back the Spurs franchise he founded in 2016, the same franchise he led to a championship in their inaugural season.

In the opening game against the Warriors, Owers would barely play himself the required 10 minutes, primarily focusing on increasing team morale from the sidelines. Many analysts assumed this meant Owers did not have what it takes to compete at a high level anymore. Then, the Spurs played the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday night.

Owers would set the tone early in the matchup versus the Blazers with a tough And-1 to start the game. The former Division I tight end contributed not only with his physical play, but also with his leadership. Even if Owers was gassed 4 minutes in, he was making an impact from the sidelines, breaking BGBL decibel records with his yelling alone. The motivation generated by Owers contributed to inspiring performances by various Spurs players. Collin Grill recorded three second chance buckets for the Spurs by himself. Additionally, veteran Sean Hayden, otherwise known as ‘Vanilla Gorilla’, grabbed five boards in the 1st half alone, and now leads the league in ‘dives for loose balls.’ Although that is not technically a stat, it can be determined from observation, Hayden certainly leads the league.

After a hard fought 1st half, the game was tied 19-19. Owers delivered some inspiring words to his teammates at the break, energizing San Antonio to begin the half with seven unanswered points, including an Owers three-pointer. However, Portland would march back, and with the game close and under a minute to go, Owers would head to the line for potentially game-clinching free throws. The Spurs GM would make the first to put his team up by three points, but miss the second. On the ensuing rebound by Portland, Owers would utilize his impressive vertical to bat the Portland pass up in the air and retrieve it off the subsequent deflection. Owers would then head back to the line, this time ensuring the game was put out of reach. It was truly an inspiring performance by Andrew Owers (10 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, & a block) which the league has not seen in awhile. “I knew I had it in the tank. I just had to find it,” commented Owers. From here on out, fans & fellow players should not be surprised to see Owers perform at a high level, because it appears there’s a lot more fuel left in the tank than initially anticipated.