Spurs rule!!!

Okay so the 1999 title will always be the sweetest, and this year's playoff run never had a true climax, like a Memorial Day Miracle to hang our memories on. But Tim Duncan's dominance will be hard to forget anytime soon. And so will David Robinson's last game as a Spur. However, the fact that he wins the title ON FATHER'S DAY for his last game of his career, makes you wonder if the fix is in.

Regardless, Spurs rule once again. I don't know if it's because I'm not 12 or because I don't live in San Antonio (or within 10 miles of anyone who cares about the NBA), but I feel pretty detached from the whole excitement. Malik Rose, Duncan, Parker, Robinson, and Kerr are all guys I really love to cheer for. But it's not the same as when I was a kid and adolescent. This is a good thing, since I don't throw stuff (like hammers and full cups of pop) at the TV anymore.

Obviously, my ability to supress the need to throw objects at the TV is a function of age. But my relative detachment from the title run? That's geography. I can't tell you how happy I am the Spurs won the title, but nearly not as happy as a bunch of San Antonio nuns. And my money says I wouldn't be as nutty as Rolando Garcia, and I wouldn't pray as much as the nuns. Even so, my emotional investment and subsequnt reaction would have been at the level of both the sisters and the esteemed Mr. Garcia. See for yourself and read Championship City (San Antonio Express-News), a story about the city's post-game celebration. Excerpts include:

"I'm going downtown, I'm going to get butt-naked," Rolando Garcia, 18, announced as he emerged from a house and headed for the Riverwalk."

And then later in the story...

At Our Lady of the Lake Convent, there was no fear when the Spurs trailed at the half.

"When we lose the first half, we win the second," said Sister Eileen Klein.

Klein, who wore her Spurs cap backwards, was one of about 17 Sisters of Divine Providence who gathered before the big screen TV for the championship game.

Then, when the Spurs took the lead for the first time in the fourth quarter Sister Alexandrine Gieniec said, "The Carmelites are praying, and Sister Boniface is on it from Heaven."

Sister Mary Boniface O'Neill, known as the Mother Teresa of San Antonio and founder of the Healy-Murphy Center, died in April.

As the Spurs rallied, Sister Jane Ann Slater got up and led cheers, chanting "D-A-V-I-D," and "S-P-U-R-S."

Sister Clair Osborn, whose bedroom looks a bit like a teenager's with a crush on the Spurs, said her dream is to have David Robinson stop by the convent to show off his championship ring.

At the game's close, Sister Clair said she was sure divine providence played a part in the game.

"I just know it was the prayers," she said. "I am happy for David. I wanted him to go out a winner."