SAN ANTONIO — After retiring from basketball, former San Antonio Spurs forward Matt Bonner joined the team as a television studio commentator, did Spurs radio, and co-hosted the Spurs’ pregame, halftime, and postgame shows.
But after years with the Spurs, he will move on to covering the Raptors, co-hosting “The Raptors Show” on Sportsnet The Fan 590.
"I’m excited to have a new team to cover. I’m excited for the challenge of covering a new team, working with new people and doing a radio show. I’ve never done radio before," Bonner told The Athletic. "I did the Spurs radio show but that was once a week. Now, I’m doing a daily hour-long radio show."
Bonner played for the Spurs from 2006-16 and immediately joined the Spurs TV Broadcast team.
Aside from his efforts on the court, he became known for his appetite for sandwiches, remains a fan-favorite with Silver and Black fans, and even parodied the Spurs "retiring" his flannel shirt.
Which makes him cherish his Spurs roots and why he will always be a "Spur for life."
"I love the Spurs. I’ll be a Spur for life. I played there 10 years and worked there for eight years. So, for 18 years, I was all-in on the Spurs," he said.
Bonner is clearly not forgetting the lessons he learned as a Spur.
Although he is not wearing an NBA uniform anymore, he is taking some great advice from coach Gregg Popovich to Toronto as the Raptors try to build a winning team.
"I think coach (Gregg Popovich) started 'Pound the Rock.' That’s really what it is: putting in the work and getting a little bit better every single day when you’re building toward the future and getting where you want to get to, being a contender again," he said. "You can’t skip steps in the process."
Despite moving to the Raptors, Bonner will still be welcomed with open arms by fans and the team in San Antonio whenever Toronto plays at the Frost Bank Center.
"I’m excited to cover a new team. That sounds super basic and simple," he said.
What do you think, Spurs fans? Let us know on X at KENS 5 and JeffGSpursKENS5.