Heartbreak

I thought this past few weeks life has been treating me pretty bad. I lost almost my entire music collection after a trip from San Diego. My car required major TLC with an oil gasket replacement, a broken AC belt and coolant change - had to part with 400 bucks. Then last week my nomination for a promotion that I was almost certain of getting (I even pooh-poohed it as pity-promotion) was truned down !!. I hurt my ankle preventing me from running or doing anything serious with my lower body. But none of the above came even close to the pain I experienced this evening.

Yes, it was the fateful game of hoops with San Antonio Spurs trying to retain home court advantage against the resurgent Lakers. Lakers led most part of the game with excellent defense, double-teaming Duncan and Parker.The lead was 42-35 at half time. San Antonio had a terrific fourth quarter, with Duncan and Parker making up for the sloppy 3 quarters. The drama begins with 5.2 secs left in the game. LA leads 72-71.

SA calls its last full timeout. They have a plan. Parker inbounds and the ball finally lands in the hands of Duncun who is about 18 feet away. Tightly guarded, he makes the shot! SA ups by 1. 0.4 secs left on the clock!!

Lakers immediately take their last timeout. Everybody knows Phil has something up his sleeve, but seriously all they have is 0.4 sec!! Nobody gives them any chance of winning.

San Antonio responds by a 20 sec timeout. Tony Parker is replaced by Robert Horry.

Lakers respond with a 20 sec. They need to change tactics now.

Everybody expects a pass to Shaq and a slam dunk. The inbound pass goes to Derek Fisher who shoots frantically as a gunslinger in Russian Roulette in a western town. As the ball oozes through the rim, kissing the net, the buzzer sounds.

Un-f**king-believable. It's 3-2 Lakers. San Antonio can kiss home court advantage good bye. It's win or go home fishing in the river.

It still hurts. I might need to borrow some of my roommate's vodka to sleep well tonight.

For all those non-believers who scoff at the NBA, calling the games fixed, I tell you I love it this way. I don't care if it is fixed. I love it this way. The drama, the climax of the playoff games is what makes our summer nights worth living.

I love this game!