I take it all back. The bitterness over the Gasol trade, the anger about drafting Thabeet, questioning the Conley contract, and wondering why we never resigned Brewer. Every front office move that’s been made since the last playoff appearance, I have questioned and derided. I have thrown up my hands in frustration over Chris Wallace, called Michael Heisley selfish for not selling to local ownership, and referred to the Grizzlies as the Las Vegas Dice thinking that they’ll be moved as soon as their lease with the Forum is up. I have said I’d switch teams with OKC in a heartbeat, been shocked that OJ almost turned into Josh McRoberts, and thought the season was over when Rudy went down. But none of that matters to me anymore.
While I knew that this Grizzlies playoff team was better suited to make a run than the past three, the sports pessimist within me was still thinking that 0-12 would become 0-13, eventually 0-16. And with time running out and the Grizz down four, it certainly looked that way, but then a bucket, a stop, Battier’s three from the wing, and the greatest joy sports has brought me in some time.
I’m down, I’m tired, I’ve been filled with stress recently, but yesterday from 12:00 to 2:30 was magical. Yesterday was pure. Yesterday was perfect. Yesterday was what I never thought would be possible in Memphis. Yesterday was what you hope for and dream about when you become attached to a team, grow fond of individual players, learn their idiosyncrasies and habits, and think that your minor random actions, like where you sit or what hat you wear, can affect the outcome of a game. Yesterday was what being a fan is all about. And so, I take back every criticism I’ve ever made about this team, the front-office, and ownership. Hopefully this is only the beginning, if we can somehow win three more against the Spurs, then I’d like our chances in the second round if the Thunder were there, and if you make the conference finals as an 8 seed, who’s to call you crazy for having Finals dreams. But no matter what happens, even if we lose this series 1-4, that playoff victory and the happiness that it brought me will never be taken away. Thank you Grizzlies, for making the Grizzlife worth living.
Big Shot Bob
I got chills reading that. And I almost cried.
“Yesterday was what being a fan is all about.”
GrizzLOVE
You best not cry Maroda, someone might think you a bitch