Last night the San Antonio Spurs claimed victory over the Miami Heat in game one of the NBA Finals 110-95, leading to plenty of celebration downtown.
The Spurs both gained and lost double digit leads throughout the night until Heat forward LeBron James was taken off the court in the fourth quarter due to leg cramps. Fan Gary Cooper said the first victory makes a statement.
“It’s proof positive we’re after revenge; we’re after blood,” Cooper said. “We want the head of the king and we want it now.”
Even thought it was only the first game, Spurs fans wasted no time taking to the streets and sidewalks of downtown, cheering, honking and celebrating. Celebrating in this fashion so early in a series is unique to San Antonio and took out-of-town visitor Robert Cherette of Boston by surprise.
“Boston’s got the Celtics, they’ve got Bruins, they’ve got the Patriots, they’ve got the Red Socks, San Antonio has the Spurs, it’s unbelievable,” Cherette said.
I asked him if this type of revelry happens in Boston.
“Not to this level, not for basketball; no way,” Cherette said.
Cars drove by on Commerce and Market Street, waving flags, hanging outside of car windows and even riding on the roof. This is just game 1, but you can’t contain the spirit of a city that wants a fifth championship this badly.
Another fan, Liz Moreno, said she wants Lebron to be back in the game for the rest of the series.
“He was crying like a baby, but in order to be the best you have to beat the best," Moreno said. "So hopefully if he’s better get back in the game because we want a better win, we want more excitement because he actually adds to the excitement.”
Game two against the Heat is Sunday night at 7 p.m. in San Antonio.
