Wow.
Just Wow. 
Funny, but that's
exactly what I was going to say! Absolutely amazing finish, and without Kobe no less. Granted he hit the potential winner with about 12 seconds left, only to have Duncan hit what looked like a "Kobe-esque" winner with .4 left. THAT shot was even more amazing - the fallaway 21 footer, Shaq right in his face, etc.
Amazing.Which set up the even more beautiful shot of Fisher's, which will hopefully stick a dagger right through the Spurs hearts so we can finish this up on Saturday back at home. If you caught the postgame press conference, the Spurs were absolutely devastated and heartbroken. Priceless. Duncan looked like he was about to cry (which isn't really an unusual look for him, but even moreso this time), and Popovich said the only thing worse than this would be having to serve in Iraq right now. Of course he's also crying foul, saying that BOTH the ref and their own clock operator started the clock too late. Horse$h!t.
Patty was actually crying after Duncan hit his shot, but when Fisher shockingly hit his, she flew off the couch and gave me a huge bearhug from behind (I was standing in front of the TV), and pretty much almost ripped my appendectomy scars right back open! I was still so PISSED OFF at how the Lakers played for the last quarter and a half, that I didn't get very emotional with Fisher's shot, other than just a subtle "Thank God". We really didn't deserve it.
Phil definitely didn't deserve it. I'll reiterate: He's a
horrible game coach. When we pulled out to our 16 point lead with 4 minutes left in the 3rd quarter, it was almost exclusively due to Devean George's surprisingly incredible play. He was absolutely
in the zone, and not just offensively, but defensively too. He hit like three 3's in a row, along with a MONSTER dunk, and on the other end had 2 or 3 steals and several other forced turnovers during the quarter too. He was absolutely EN FUEGO. So what does the "greatest"
coach in NBA history do? He inexplicably pulls him.
No reason whatsoever. Just pulls him right in the middle of his incredible run. As soon as Phil did that, the Lakers went COMPLETELY FLAT for the rest of the game, scoring all of 13 total points after that brilliant move. Phil doesn't get it, and he never will. He's atrocious, and with that one bonehead move tonight, he almost cost us the entire Championship.
Oh, and by the way, Shaq was pulling some kind of Kobe routine, and NOT shooting the ball most of the not. Not even WANTING to shoot the ball. Whenever it went in to him throughout the first 3 quarters, he just passed it right back out, like he wanted no part of it. He finally looked somewhat interested early in the fourth, but just barely. 11 points total for him I think, only 4 of which came in the first half. So there's some other stupid ass developing Laker drama there. But hopefully Fisher's miracle shot will help everyone to look past it and forget about it, including Shaq.
Anyway, we still have one huge win to go against the Spurs, who I'm not discounting at all yet.
Anything can happen, especially when these Lakers are on the floor...
