What a game!

On Tuesday night, together with some of my good friends, I went out to drink and watch the Warriors play the Jazz. When I first got there, I had a beer waiting for me. Unfortunately, I couldn't drink it. Beer was one of the things that I gave up for 40 days. I was ribbed and called names but it was all good. I wanted that beer so bad! Oh man, I am actually thinking about it right now.

I had a great time hanging out with these guys but it sucked to watch the Warriors get plastered again by the Utah Jazz. I hate the Jazz! Their Coach just seems like the biggest jerk in the world. Their best player duped the Cavs to let him out of his contract so he could sign with Utah. Historically, their two best players, Stockton and Malone, were also known as two of the dirtiest players in the game. And we sat their just hoping for a miracle. But it wasn't to be.

Worse yet, we had to play the best team in the NBA the next night. The Utah loss pushed us out of the last playoff spot. The Boston game was so important. I rushed home to watch the game. Alone, I watched, rooted and texted my good friend who was at the game. In the beginning, the Celts rushed out to a 9-0 lead as newcomer, Chris Webber, couldn't keep up.

But then, there was a rush of highlight layups one after the other. The Warriors had to work so hard for every point and all fans wondered if they could win a game where every point was a struggle. My favorite Warrior, Monta Ellis, couldn't miss in the beginner but then he was double teamed and I witnessed more of his development. All of a sudden, he became a passer and he teamed up with Biedrins over and over again. It was the future flashing before our eyes.

The Warriors just kept hanging in there with the sellout crowd keeping them in the game. B-Diddy looked tired. I was nervous. But even Pietrus stepped up with big dunks. Man, it felt so good to be a sports fan again. In the past several years, bay area sports has taken a beating. It hasn't been fun. It was just me with my two dogs and my cat. They were all amazingly well behaved. They are usually running around like crazy but they could feel how tense I was. They just sat there, without bothering me.

In the last three minutes, Mary Anne called me. I wanted to get off the phone so bad, but she had a bad day at work and needed to talk. The reception was horrible and I was really trying to listen to what she was saying. I tried to empathize with her while the game was going. Then the Warriors started playing lights out and was holding a nice 4 pt lead. I didn't want to get off the phone cuz the Warriors were playing better. But the reception was crapping out and we finally let each other go. Literally, on the edge of my seat, I watched as Barnes was trying to blow the game and Pierce was hitting clutch shots. These close games cannot be good for my heart. But in the final six seconds, with the game tied and with the ball in Baron's hands I was just intently watching. When Davis hit that 20 foot fadeway with .3 left, I just went crazy. I yelled at the top of my lungs, jumped up and down, did a couple 360's, and it went on for a good minute. Joey, our big golden retriever, just looked up and stared at me. Even when I had stopped, he was still staring. Kona, our little fluff ball, just ran behind the coach and hid.

I just haven't felt that emotional about a sporting event in a long time. Probably since the Giants World Series run. Watching sports used to allow me to get away. To enjoy sticking by my hometown team but with all the struggles of the Niners and Giants it has slipped. I loved last years playoff run by Golden State but for some reason, yesterday was better. It brought me back to those days when you would watch the Niners and you knew no matter what, they were going to win.

Mary Anne got home about five minutes after the game, and I was just rewinding the last play over and over again. I rewinded the game so she could see the last minute and she could still feel the excitement of the crowd. After a dozen times, I didn't even watch Baron Davis anymore. I just watched the crowd. Everyone was standing, some with their hands clenched together, looking as if they were praying. And when that shot hits the bottom of the net, to see the crowds joy, just felt so good. It reminded me what I love about sports. It reminded me of the emotions. It reminded me that a team can bring all sorts of people together.

If you aren't on board with the Warriors, hop on the bandwagon people. I know a lot of people don't like my sports entries, but the Warriors are worth it. They will always provide some kind of excitement. No matter what happens this season, there is no way, this team could let its fans down.