Eh, I don’t really give a shit.
It was the Spurs. And it was Bruce Bowen. And it did look like a foul. But win or lose, the series was over (I’ll come back to this later).
My interest in this series is parallel to a 9-year old’s interest in porn. It’s something you should be interested in (NBA finals), but it’s not doing the trick right now (pre-puberty).
But after San Antonio’s 75-72 imminent series clinching win in Cleveland last night, I need to say…..
Thank you, Cleveland.
Not necessarily for a well-played season. Not in a sarcastic voice implying “thanks for a shitty final.” Not a thanks to Daniel Gibson for his one week of fame (Game 3: 1-10 FGM-A, 2 PTS) Not even a ,”thanks for playing,” thanks.
But thank you for making at least one quarter, in one of the dullest NBA finals in recent memory, live up to the excitement we should see at this time of the year. For some reason, the 4th quarter of Game 3 transfigured some of the ugliest basketball into one of the most exhilarating quarters in this years’ playoffs. Maybe, it was the raucous Cleveland crowd. A crowd that wreaked of desperation during a span where Cleveland’s shots were continually rimming out and rimming out. I found myself continually pumping my fist and cringing every time the Cavs failed to capitalize on defensive stops. It almost seemed like the entire 4th quarter was filled with “must score” possessions for Cleveland.
Maybe, it was just because was bored out of my damn mind, and just wanted something to scream about. I don’t know but it was exciting.
Too bad the series is over. Don’t be surprised though if Cleveland wins Game 3. I could definitely see the Spurs “taking a night off”, or two, so they can celebrate back in San Antonio (Yea, I would stay away from there too).
The problem is San Antonio took their “night off” in last night’s Game 3. They played like absolute shit. They played, well, like Cleveland.
Tim Duncan was, on Timmy standards, awful. Duncan scored only 14 points, on 6-17 shooting. Tony Parker wasn’t that much better, probably worse at times. He finished with 17 points on 7-17 shooting. And Manu Ginobli flopped his way to a Larry Hughes type performance, scoring only 3 points and failing to record a made field-goal. His 3 points came on free-throws, with seconds left in the game.
The reason that San Antonio can overcome off-nights is because they have the experience to compensate for their big stars. Bruce Bowen atoned for Ginobli’s pitiful night, hitting 4-of-6 shots, all being critical 3-pointers.
Even worse for Cleveland fans, Lebron had help from a few guys. Well, three, to be exact. Which, for Lebron, is not to bad. Sasha Pavlovic, Drew Gooden and Zydrunas Ilgauskas combined for 38 points (more than it seems when the team scores 72), scoring 13, 13 and 12 respectively.
Lebron, despite his 25 points, continued to struggle from the field, hitting only 9-23 shots. His night culminated with missing the tying three-pointer at the buzzer. Before Lebron jumped for his 25 footer, it sure as hell seemed as though Bruce Bowen grabbed Lebron’s arm in an attempt to foul him prior to his shot. Forcing him to shoot two free-throws, when they need three points.
It probably was a foul. But Lebron even admitted that it didn’t affect his shot so let’s not worry about it. By the way, it’s refreshing to hear an athlete give a honorable and genuine response to a question regarding an officiating mishap.
Anyway, this is hard to say but,
Congratulations to the 2007 NBA Champions: The San Antonio Spurs
Spurs suck
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The Pig Pen
hawgsports.blogspot.com
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