Well…. What now Raptors?
The playoffs have not been fun for me. They have been great but not really fun.
The first series was the essential first step. The Raptors had lost to lesser ranked teams in the last two playoffs and we had failed to make it out of the first round since the Vince Carter days. Indiana was poised for an upset and return the Raptors to the fake contenders everyone believed them to be. But the Dinos pulled it together and managed to scrap their way through a grueling seven game series. That one was more relief than fun.
The second round was the Battle of the Broken teams. Two injured warriors looking to survive for no purpose other than to be Lebron’s punching bag in the next round. Everyone expected the Raptors to beat the Heat and all the haters were announcing this season a failure if they didn`t make it through. As they walked off the floor after seven games again, I felt exhausted. I was happy that they won but I didn`t think there was any more they could do. That one left me full but unsatisfied.
Games one and two in Cleveland were proper beat downs. I had to listen to the experts and haters declare the Raptors a joke. (#WeTheOther) A team that had crawled through fourteen playoff games still received no respect and in games one and two and they played like they didn’t deserve any. Add to that, the NBA referees decided the Cavs needed their help and they gave them every whistle they wanted. That left me wanting the execution to be over.
But then we came home. I hoped for anything to earn a little respect. Maybe a semi-close game to prove we belonged. How about a win to show we were not the worst team to make a Conference Finals? Hope was lost. I even stopped my game day rituals; watermelon and chicken wings for supper. I casually watched Saturday night as they gave us a win. That one left me peaceful.
But they didn`t die in that peace. Monday night they battled. They sprinted out to a lead but Cleveland battled back and took a two point lead. I thought it was done but they kept battling. As the horn sounded, we exited the court tied 2-2. That one left me unknowing.
So as I sit down to watch the new best of three series, I am reminded of a great scene from The Greatest Game Ever Played. In the film based on the 1913 US Open, Amateur Francis Ouimet was to play Harry Vardon and Ted Ray in an 18 hole playoff for the Championship. (Spoilers: he won in real life as well.) The following was narrated as part of an article being written the night before the playoff.
It seems impossible to believe that this untested boy could hope to beat two seasoned champions. One David against two Goliaths. He'll have to face Vardon and Ray alone, with a night to sleep on the incredible situation in which he so shockingly finds himself.
Although, I suspect, from the unearthly calm he showed today, he will sleep better than most. I am not certain I believe Ouimet can win, but I have given up all attempts at prophecy. I will start tomorrow's round with an open mind.
It should be the greatest game ever played.
Maybe I am hoping these resilient Raptors can take out the next two Goliaths, but I also have given up all attempts at prophecy and I plan to enjoy the game as best I can.
Breathe….
