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Samr<br>
SpursCentral.com<br>
March 1, 2005<br>
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Entering the playoffs, there are two kinds of teams: those that can rise above petty problems, and those that can’t. The former can ignore negative, emotional outbursts and turn them into offensive or defensive production. The championship team might not be the one with the most talent, or the best coaching- look at the Pistons- but they are always the ones that can maintain their composure the longest. The playoffs will wear a team down emotionally, and physically. It happens to everyone. But the key to the next round is rising above all that. <br>
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Last night, as Carmelo was assessed a type 2 flagrant foul for what amounted to a gang rape of Manu Ginobili, the Denver Nuggets lost their composure. And they lost the game. Who would have thought?<br>
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The game was over when Robert Horry got a technical. They didn’t get mad; that’s not the Spurs’ style. They got even. After tossing in his first three pointer as a Spur, Big Shot Rob did not wag a finger. He did not verbally abuse the closest defender. He did not pound his chest and climb to the top of the Empire State Building with a screaming Eva Longoria in his arms. Instead, he swished another one. The game was over, and everyone knew it. You do not survive an attack from Big Shot Rob. The numbers are increasingly against you. But it was only one game. Buckner made it more. When he threw a defending Manu to the floor, he ended the series. If it happens once, it’s emotion. If it happens twice, it’s intended. Such was the case in game 3.<br>
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Per his usual style, Manu refused to be intimidated. Instead, he drove right back to the hole. I understand why so many other teams, and fans hate him. If I wasn’t a Spurs fan, I would too. Manu is, above anything else, persistent. And it is that persistency which proved to be Denver’s undoing. As Manu rose to the hoop one, final time, he was hit. From three sides. After a flurry of arms, fists, and emotions were released onto an airborne Ginobili, the aftermath was apparent. Looking more like a prison gang rape than an attempted defensive stop, the attack was nothing less than intentional. If not planned. Three players attack one, and there is at minimum some cursory co-ordination going into the maneuver. Without even thinking about the effects.<br>
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The consummate professional, Manu took a page out of Horry’s book. Instead of getting mad, he got even. After borrowing a spatula from Tim Duncan to pick his body off the floor, Manu calmly walked to the free-throw line. No retaliation, no negative emotion. In doing so, Manu made the case worse for the Nuggets. He made their emotions stand out like a sore thumb. The NBA will surely take note.<br>
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What happens to Anthony, Buckner, and Martin has yet to be determined. There will be fines, suspensions, and reprimands. With the majority of Denver’s offensive output tied up in Kenyon and Carmelo the Nuggets have a lot to lose. But if one thing is for sure, it is that Denver will have absolutely no one to blame but themselves. When the refs officiate with a Hitler-esque rule in Monday night’s game, there should be no complaining from the Nuggets’ bench. They played a physical game; it was their choice. They brought it on themselves. <br>
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And when Carmelo Anthony, Kenyon Martin, and Greg Buckner go to clean out their lockers, they will only be able to look at the names on their lockers. Their season has ended. Their nametags say why. <br>
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<p>___________________________________________<br>
"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: 5/1/05 3:55 pm<br></i>
