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Samr<br>
SpursCentral.com<br>
April 27, 2005<br>
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Sometimes, it’s not about being in the highest position, it’s being the best in the position given to you. Such was the case tonight, when Manu Ginobili was placed on the bench in favor of Brent Barry. As the collective Argentine sphincter contracted to a record-breaking level, Manu humbly sat down in his courtside seat as the ball was thrown in the air. Tip-off in the SBC Center Wednesdays night was less the start of a game as it was possibly the end of a season. A second loss at home, and the series would almost definitely swing Denver’s way. A win, and anything is possible.<br>
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I guess I realized what was taking place when I looked at the TV to see the score read 60-28. I had to look again, to confirm the fact that the Spurs, indeed, had more than doubled Denver’s offensive output. Or maybe I realized what was taking place when Barry, having missed a driving lay-up, was forgiven by a trailing Duncan, who grabbed the ball in the air and threw it down with so much intensity that my chair shook and my hair blew back. Sitting at the computer. Or maybe I realized what was taking place when Rasho Nesterovic and Devin Brown came into the game, symbolizing not so much the garbage time taking place, but instead one, simple phrase: We’re BAAAAAACK!!!!!<br>
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It was reported before the game that Kenyon Martin and Marcus Camby, both of whom came out on the wrong end of a Spurs playoff run, said that Duncan had stolen their championship from them. It was Duncan who killed them, this I will not deny. But it is that kind of attitude, that kind of holier-than-thou approach to the game, which will ultimately cost them the series. It was not <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--><em>their</em><!--EZCODE ITALIC END--> championship. Nothing, in fact, was stolen. The better team won, and the losers were sent home. Much like tonight. The Nuggets, coming off a game-1 win, seemed to think that they were deserving of the series win. This was evidenced by a certain amount of pre-game trash talk, which will make it into the 2005 record books as one of the many instances a player promptly shoved his foot into his mouth. Andre Miller, coming off a 31-point performance Sunday night, went 2-8 for 11 points. That was one point behind DerMarr Johnson, Denver’s leading scorer. Carmelo Anthony was 5-14 while Marcus Camby went 4-12. Tim Duncan, meanwhile, went 11-15 while Tony Parker gave an average 7-17 shooting performance.<br>
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But it wasn’t the points, the rebounds, the field goals or the steals that won the game. It was a matter of heart. Ultimately, every game comes down to who wants it more. That’s how underdogs win, and legends are born. Sunday night, Denver wanted to win the series. They were the underdo;, they were the Cinderella story. What happened tonight? They got cocky. They thought that, by winning a single game, they were on top. They were entitled to win the game, the series, and maybe even, the championship. With a halftime score of 63-32, the Spurs reclaimed their territory. They let Denver know that this series would not be a wash, nor their playoffs guaranteed. They stepped up to the plate, reclaiming what was rightfully theirs. Today, the winds have shifted. The boat, previously headed on a northwesterly course, has tacked over. It’s headed back to the Alamo city. Where it belongs. And with such a blowout, such an obvious defeat, it will take a mighty wind in the mountains to turn the boat around. <br>
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Expect it to be loud in Denver. The altitude will be harsh, the Denver fans even harsher. It will be hard to win, there is no question about it. But with the victory tonight, the Spurs planted the seed of doubt in Denver’s collective brains. Tonight wasn’t a product of poor shooting, a last-second shot, or Steve Javie’s ego. It was a solid, resounding win. Denver got flat out beat. They cannot blame it on anyone else. And to a team facing what could be the end of their season, that is the worst kind. They will have to go back and review film footage. They’ll watch how the Spurs played them, and learn from their mistakes. They will adapt their game plan, and tweak their approach. But no amount of planning will be able to make up for 28 points worth of miscalculations.<br>
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As the Spurs walked off the SBC Center floor, they were finally able to hold their heads high. They had overcome their demons, and planted some of their own. While it was not a cause for celebration, with the series now even at one game apiece, it was certainly a cause for relaxation. The Spurs avoided what would have surly been their ticket home, by evening the series on their home turf. And as they head to Denver, they will still need to prepare. One Spurs win there will keep the series even, two will make it an insurmountable deficit. As they shower after the game, the Spurs should not hoot and holler. They did nothing more than what they should have done. But they are at least deserving of a pat on the back. Not only for a job well done, but for sending such a resounding message to the Mile High City: Can you hear us NOW? <br>
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"NEVER underestimate the heart of a champion." -Rudy Tomjanovich</p><i>Edited by: <A HREF=http://p204.ezboard.com/bsanantoniospurs62937.showUserPublicProfile?gid=samr@sanantoniospurs62937>Samr</A> at: 4/28/05 6:19 am<br></i>
2003 
