NBA: Winning a war of nerves, and more
THE “WAR OF NERVES” predicted by Philboxing.com top man Dong Secuya hours before Game 7 of the NBA Western Conference Finals in Oakland, California, did happen.
There’s an eerie difference though in that the Golden State Warriors, given up for lost after falling into a crying 3-1 hole, brought the suspenseful confrontation past the ordinary epic level.
There were many supreme surreal moments on the amazed woodcourt.
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MVP Stephen Curry sliced the middle, scored, to give Golden State a 90-79 lead, with 2:50 left in Game 7. He faced the audience, pumped the air signaling for a victory ovation. The home crowd tarried.
True enough, Oklahoma City thundered back, closed in again. OKC had led by 13 in the opening quarter before taking the half by four.
There was only 1:34 left, with Golden State up 90-86, when Curry next took an off-balanced 3-pointer but, in the awkward process, wisely drew a foul from the feinted airborne Serge Ibaka. Currry sank all the gift shots.
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OKC scored on a last gasp counter-basket, but Curry was there again to punctuate another virtuoso show with his patented 3-pointer, before pulling his jersey up to his mouth and yelling to the rafters. There was a thunderous response as confetti blossomed and descended from the Oracle Arena roof area.
“Never underestimate the heart of a champion,” texted veteran sportswriter and Inquirer columnist Percy Della from his wind-washed sala in seaside Candon. He was quoting the legendary coach Rudy Tomjonovich.
This is the same Steph Curry who stoically labored through injuries in the play-offs.
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This is the same sharp, magical NBA point laureate who, in the do-or-die Game 6 last weekend, stepped aside, wholeheartedly yielded the floor to his backcourt deputy Klay Thompson, and told him, “It’s your time to shine. ” Thompson surpassed himself in doing his assigned role.
Out in the Mandaluyong City wet market sports hub, ecstatic Curry disciples were swooning over Golden State practically rising from the grave en route to maybe the greatest resurrection story in the NBA history.
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Maybe Curry also played to the tune and tips of an alien voice out there?
No, Curry would explain, there’s nothing foreign or paranormal.
He said they just refused to lose confidence or give up in moments of crushing defeat.
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Curry said they refused to cower and instead held on together.
He said they refused to listen to the noise from outside at a time when they were perceived to be down in fragments.
He said they stayed firm, mature, clawed back, listening to their heart.
Make that read a fearless heart.
