“I was taught as a kid,” Flintoff later explained, “always respect the opposition first and celebrate after. Chief of among them is David Villa, who usually runs with great enthusiasm, but can apparently be counted upon even when he doesn’t feel like running. e sense of excitement he did as an intern starting out in the game at Southampton 10 years ago. The Spurs are in the playoffs for the 20th consecutive year, by far the longest active streak in the NBA.