Ugly with a capital U

Okay, the Spurs won game 3 tonight in Cleveland, but even the most diehard San Antonio fan has to admit that was the most awfullest game in the history of the NBA playoffs. I doubt the Spurs have played worse this year, and couldn't buy a basket. Manu Ginobili, one of the big three for SA, went scoreless until hitting three free throws in the final minute. Tony Parker was shut out of the lane in the first quarter, and Tim Duncan couldn't find his range against the Cavs defense. Yet the Cavaliers, buoyed by the home court crowd, could only manage to open a five-point lead in the first half, and actually stumbled their way to a 40-38 halftime deficit despite leading most of the half.

I found myself thinking that a sweep is definitely in the offing if Cleveland couldn't blow out a SA squad unable to shoot straight. Seriously. This was their chance, their glory moment. And they fell flatter than a roadkill Armadillo on I-35.

This wouldn't be the NBA if there wasn't some officiating controversy, and sure enough, they saved the best for last. In the closing seconds, protecting a 3-point lead, the Spurs' Bruce Bowen tried to intentionally foul LeBron James rather than allow him to shoot a potentially game-tying trey. Fouling before the shot, you see, would result in James taking only two free throws, thus preserving the Spurs' victory. Only the ref didn't call the foul when Bowen grabbed James. So Bowen continued to grab at him--even as James threw up an awkward 3-point attempt which hit the rim and bounced harmlessly away. Had the ref called the foul then, James would've gotten three free throws, potentially tying the game. But the ref didn't call it then, either, and the partisan crowd, as well as James, were outraged. So once again, critics are going to say the Spurs' win (and eventual title) is tainted. But in all honesty, one set of fans was going to be enraged by the call or no call in this instance. After being on the receiving end before (Derek Fisher's .4 second trey to send the Lakers to the finals in 2004), I have to admit that I prefer it when the botched calls go against the other team.

Cleveland, I sympathize with your plight. But not enough to feel guilty about wanting a sweep.

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