Spurs player Patty Mills was fined thousands for his confrontation with Indiana Pacers player Jakarr Sampson last week but he doesn’t seem to mind seeing the scene emblazoned on a fan T-shirt.
Julio Edgar Sanchez, a San Antonio resident, was inspired by the scuffle between Sampson and the much-shorter Mills. Though substantially smaller than his opponent, Mills did not retreat, even after being headbutted. Teammate Rudy Gay quickly backed up Mills in the heated moment. The rare chippiness from the Spurs riled up the fanbase and generated memes, talks of barbecue plates sales to help the Spurs pay the fines and now, apparel.
Sanchez asked sports personalities to help signal boost his tweet of the shirt he had made for a better chance to reach the Bala. Minutes later, Mills replied.
Julio Edgar Sanchez, a San Antonio resident, was inspired by the scuffle between Sampson and the much-shorter Mills. Though substantially smaller than his opponent, Mills did not retreat, even after being headbutted. Teammate Rudy Gay quickly backed up Mills in the heated moment. The rare chippiness from the Spurs riled up the fanbase and generated memes, talks of barbecue plates sales to help the Spurs pay the fines and now, apparel.
Courtesy, Julio Edgar Sanchez
“Super dope!! Bala is spelt with one L though. It means brother in my language. Epic shirt though,” the Spurs player said.
READ MORE FROM MADALYN: ‘Right here, right now’: San Antonio was ready to ‘throw down’ for Spurs player Patty Mills
Sanchez said he didn’t immediately realize the Twitter notification came from Mills.
“I couldn’t believe it, the fact that he saw it and took time to respond to it was awesome,” he said. “Now we all know it means brother in his native country! And now we all know the origin of his nickname ‘Bala8’ because he’s a great person and real ‘brother’ to his Spurs teammates. So proud to be a fan of his!”
Sanchez is excited to wear the shirt to the Spurs game against the Philadelphia 76ers.
‘
