Thanks Spurs

[Spurminator]

As the clock ticked down on one of the most disappointing games in my 30 years of watching sports, I found myself seriously wondering why I invest so much time and emotion in sports. As great as victory feels for a fan, in the end, there is always loss. You will experience more heartbreak than victory over time. The house always wins.

I said I would welcome an NBA lockout because I'm not sure I will be ready to watch basketball in October. I considered the option of abandoning it altogether. It's been a great ride, but is it worth it to continue?

Then Manu Ginobili hit an unbelievable shot... Then, when it seemed like even that wouldn't be enough, Gary Neal tied the game. Tony Parker took over in overtime. I again experienced the emotional highs that past shots from Elliott and AJ and Horry had given me. And I remembered why I watch and why I care.

I don't know if we'll win Game 6, or the series, or any games after that if we somehow pull it off. But being a Spurs fan for 21 years, particularly the last 12, has been ing awesome, and I was reminded why tonight. So I'll be back.

Thanks Spurs.

[Spurminator]

Or, read another way, I'm a reactionary fairweather fan and I'll be off the bandwagon as soon as they lose Game 6.

[MannyIsGod]

gets harder on the heart the older you get. I was up with Manu, then down with the ref's change, then up again with Neal. Crazy man.

[timvp]

Welcome back

[Mal]

I was like, if Timmy retires, I wont watch this team next year.

[ManuBalboa]

What a journey Gary Neal has been able to experience.

[benefactor]

I've said it in a couple of threads now and I'll say it again here...I haven't been this proud of this team all year. No matter what happens Friday, this glimpse of what I've come to know and love about this team was gifted to me and it cannot be taken away. It's frozen in time...like so many great playoff moments of the Spurs dynasty. They won't win it all, but today they played like champions. They were up, they got down...they clawed, scratched, Neal'd then finished. It was a throwback moment that takes away the sting of the inevitable.

I love the out of this team...and I'm gonna miss them badly when they are gone.

[TXstbobcat]

I havn't yelled that loud or felt so much emotion over one play since the memorial day miracle. What a great night to be a spurs fan!!!!!!

[leemajors]

I went looking for an appropriate Hagar song le, but immediately gave up. It was a great win

[mexicanjunior]

Spurs finally showed me a glimpse of their clutch days throwing dagger after dagger at the end of the game. This reminded me so much of 2008 Game 1 against Phoenix...hopefully they can ride this emotional wave to a win in game 6 and prove my pre-series prediction wrong. They won in the most helpful way possible...giving their team an emotional high that some generic 10 point win never could...plus, giving Memphis the sting of a ".4"-like heartbreaker. Hard to tell if a young emotional team like that will come out inspired or deflated...let's hope for the latter.

[DPG21920]

Does anyone else feel like this:

[Dex]

Does anyone else feel like this:

Or this...

[Spurminator]

Does anyone else feel like this:

[Obstructed_View]

I paused after they ruled it a two, went to the bathroom, decided to walk the dog and came back to watch the end of the season. Holy otherworldly . Amazing. This is the kind of that could salvage a season.

[spurspokesman]

I've said it in a couple of threads now and I'll say it again here...I haven't been this proud of this team all year. No matter what happens Friday, this glimpse of what I've come to know and love about this team was gifted to me and it cannot be taken away. It's frozen in time...like so many great playoff moments of the Spurs dynasty. They won't win it all, but today they played like champions. They were up, they got down...they clawed, scratched, Neal'd then finished. It was a throwback moment that takes away the sting of the inevitable.

I love the out of this team...and I'm gonna miss them badly when they are gone.

[spurspokesman]

Or this...

[gospursgojas]

Hadn't felt this way in a while. Seriously was shaking before neals shot and almost teared up after...yeah teared up

[SAtown]

Or this...

[NewJerSpur]

Or this...

Did everyone in the entire audience win.

[Obstructed_View]

Did everyone in the entire audience win.

Probably an Oprah audience getting a free car or something.

[NewJerSpur]

Probably an Oprah audience getting a free car or something.

Good call OV.

[ElNono]

They need to stop doing this to me... wife was checking I didn't have a heart attack...
But I'm glad they did...

[spurs2112]

I too would like to thank the Spurs. Like most fans I was disappointed with how the series was unfolding. Not so much that we were losing, I don't mind that, it was how we were losing. The team for the most part looked uninspired, like they didn't give a dam and were giving up. They were playing uncharacteristic Spurs ball and it was disheartening to watch them get bullied around. But after tonights game I know they are putting it all out there. When it got tough they pulled through and showed a glimpse of what had made them such a force for the pass decade and reminded me why I cheer and lose my voice for them. Regardless of the outcome of this series am I proud of my Spurs. Tonight proved that there still is a little fire lit in them, and they'll keeping pushing until it gets blown out. Thanks Spurs!

[Spur|n|Austin]

My chest hurts, this does get harder on the heart as I get older.

[Obstructed_View]

Totally lucky win, and I don't care. Every day's a chance to turn it around. If the Spurs get their groove back they could go on a run. The only team in the league I fear is the Spurs.