I can’t say I am a big NBA fan. I know some of the stars, but I did ‘t watch one regular season game.
As the playoffs arrived, I was hoping for a repeat of the Heat/Thunder series with the Thunder winning, but that possibility died when Wetbrook went down.
Then the Spurs made a run and I got interested.
Like Skip Bayless and Stephen A. Smith, I thought they were going to beat the Heat, this dream reinforced by two realities.
First, I read a Sports Illustrated cover article on June 10th by Chris Ballard about The Biggest Three – Duncan, Parker, and Ginobli. I respected them before the article. I adored them afterwards.
These guys got it right – team above individual, loyalty and relationships above money. They were three very different guys who were greater together than the sum of their parts indivdiually.
How could you root against them?
Then they won Game 1.
It seemed a done deal. I didn’t watch much of the series but followed it – dissecting each game (I am analytical.), listening to ESPN analysts for where they agreed with me. Games 2-5 seemed to go according to the script
The stage was set for the drama to be fulfilled and the Spurs to win the championship.
But you know, it was not to be. The script was edited.
I didn’t watch Game 6. Read about it. Listened to the analysis.
Seemed this was their shot. It was Phil Mickelson on 13 and 15 at this Open. The master of the wedges had one in his hand on both holes needing only to make par. Odds were definitely in his favor as with the Spurs. Ahead by 5 with 20 seconds – this mature unfrazzleable team would certainly close this out.
Then comes Ray Allen’s dagger and Parker couldn’t get a decent shot off with 5 seconds on the clock and the full court before him (one of the masters of the dribble drive). The Spurs were human after all. It seemed just like Phil not able to make a par.
Tough to climb back after that loss. They tried but couldn’t.
In the game within the game, Duke (Shane Battier with six 3s on 6-8 shooting) beats UNC (Danny Green 1-12 shooting and five total points) once again!
What’s the point? I just wanted to affirm my admiration for the Spurs and those like them – even in their humanity and defeat. They play a different game. They seem to play like the game is meant to be played. May their tribe increase.
