[dropcap]A[/dropcap]pparently good ol’ Henry J. Fate couldn’t let the San Antonio Spurs go off easy.
After all, it only took the turn of an ankle to bring San Antonio’s seemingly optimistic playoff run to a close.
Yes, losing Kahwi Leonard to a freak ankle injury was the primary catalyst in the Spurs’ season-ending sweep to the Golden State Warriors.
The Spurs shouldn’t feel too bad, however, as Golden State has swept all three of its Western Conference opponents with a thousand bristle broomstick.
While it’s not hard to ask the “what ifs,” Dandy Don Meredith’s axiom, “if ifs and buts were candy and nuts, we’d all have a Merry Christmas,” probably applies, too.
Let’s not also lose sight of San Antonio’s five championships in the last 20 years. Golden State is still searching for one. Success can make sports fans spoiled. Ask this Spurs fan.
Survey says they may not be successful this season either, what with how LeBron James and the Cavaliers are playing.
But the true tragedy of San Antonio’s playoff exit is the sadness many had watching Manu Ginobili walk off the AT&T Center floor for what could be the final time.
Ginoboli, along with Tony Parker, who was lost to injury earlier in the playoffs, are the final two pieces in San Antonio’s dynastic title run.
Even as their age began to show, Parker and Ginobili at times this playoff season ran circles around their younger opponents.
Ginobili’s stellar block on Houston Rocket James Harden earlier this month is exhibit number one.
Alas, the good times can only last so long. Basketball players’ bodies can only take so much.
It seems likely one, or perhaps both, could join fellow teammate Tim Duncan in retirement this summer.
They’re a group who showcased how fundamentals, teamwork and sacrifice go far beyond the flash and decadence of today’s NBA superstars.
Should they leave the game, Ginobili and Parker take with them the way basketball ought to be played.
If there’s a bright side, the trio could find the time to craft those wacky H-E-B commercials on a regular basis.
And that would be a win-win for everyone.
