Tuesday night was the most pain of heart I’ve felt as a Spurs fan in a long time. To be oh so close and come away empty truly was “devasting,” as Manu put it. But you know what?
We have a do-over.
Unless the Angel of Stern has canceled tonight’s Game 7 and summarily awarded the championship to the Heat, we have an opportunity to relegate the memory of the Game 6 collapse to a bittersweet anecdote. We had every reason to win Game 6, but didn’t. We can’t undo the past, only correct the present.
As I was working out yesterday afternoon, I couldn’t bear to look toward the televisions and the ESPN broadcasting of all the close calls in sports in years past. Scott Norwood missing the field goal in the first Buffalo Bills Super Bowl, the Tennessee ans coming within two yards of winning the Super Bowl, etc. etc. etc. My God, people, the final chapter hasn’t been written yet, and yet all the talking heads have written us off.
Don’t you dare think that this is over.
The Heat don’t seem to handle success too well, as we’ve won EVERY GAME in this series after we've lost. I awoke this morning with confidence that we’ll win this next one too.
When we get behind tonight, don’t think that we are predestined to watch the Heat celebrate back-to-back championships.
We have a do-over.
Manu, remember that foul on Dirk that ended our 2006 season? Remember how bad you felt all summer? You have the chance to eradicate your poor play in Tuesday's Game 6 with a stellar Game 7. Redemption will be worth more to you as a person than any trophy, ring, or banner. Get to the rim with wild abandon and then our inside-out game will reemerge.
Tony, remember your promise to Timmy? You are one great game away from delivering on it in a big way. That hammy is no doubt limiting you, but you’ve got to still be aggressive, play with pace, and put the Heat defenders (who aren’t all that great at times) on their heels.
And Timmy, keep doing what it takes to get The One for the Thumb. This season has been an unbelievable one for you; don’t let it be one with an unrealized goal of being the champion that you are.
Yes, this is a defining moment for Lebron … and for us. But treat it as you do each and every game. Don’t let the big stage affect who you are and how you conduct your business. "Don't skip steps," as Pop says. Make the safe plays and not the hero ones. Do the simple things extraordinarily, and the outcome will be glorious.
I’m confident we will win this, and that I’ll be ordering some Spurs championship gear in about 14 hours from now.