If you read my other blog post about the Toronto Raptors becoming Eastern Conference Champions and advancing to the NBA finals, you can only imagine the rollercoaster of emotions I experienced throughout the six games of the NBA finals against the Golden State Warriors. For those of you who know little to nothing about basketball, the Golden State Warriors are a team that has been the finals for the last 4 years and were defending NBA champions. I’m not going to go into immense detail here about the series but I just wanted to share my thoughts and feelings now that is has been a few weeks since that iconic and historical game six on June 13th 2019.
Before we get to June 13th, let’s backtrack just a few days before on Monday, June 10th. The Raptors were playing Game 5 and it was at home in Toronto; it was also my birthday. The Raptors had a chance to win their first ever NBA title and they had the chance to do it at home. The energy in the building was electric; I could tell this from the couch I was sitting on at home because even on the television it was LOUD so I can only imagine just how loud it was in the building, as well as outside in Jurassic Park. As per my previous blog, I love my birthday and it is always a special day to me, so just picture how special would it become if the Toronto Raptors won their first ever NBA title on the day of my birth? Insanity. I thought my heart was racing in previous games, but nothing like this. The game was a crazy bout of back and forth, the typical nonsensical calls from refs, but all in all exactly what you would hope for in a Game 5 with the chance to win the championship. The Raptors ended up losing that game by one point- not one basket- but one point; the final score was 106-105 for Golden State. My heart sank a little, especially because I kept thinking how magical it would have been if that 3 pointer Kyle Lowry shot at the last second went in and he was the one to secure the victory for the team he has poured his heart and soul into for so many years. It was devastating, but only for a moment. The Raptors have won so many games at the Oracle (where the Warriors play) they could definitely get it done on Thursday, and how sweet it would be to defeat the home team (and defending champions).
To be honest, much of the details of that Game 6 are a blur. I do remember being so anxious (in a good way) and my heart racing. I remember not being able to stay seated from the second quarter onward. I remember cheering so loud that my voice was giving out. I remember yelling and feeling so frustrated that all I could do was scream into my couch cushions. I remember tears filling my eyes when there was only a minute left on the game clock. I remember tears falling out of my eyes when there were only 0.9 seconds left on the clock and a play was in review for a potential foul. I remember sobbing like a baby when those 0.9 seconds ran out once Kawhi took his free throw shots and you could see the Raptors beginning to celebrate. I was crying and crying; I was so happy. Anyone who knows me knows that I am not much of a crier – but I couldn’t stop crying. I was truly so happy – and relieved. I say relieved because watching the entire playoff season was stressful, exciting, and emotionally (and physically) draining but in the best possible way. Staying up until 1 or 2 am to watch post game coverage, getting so invested and intensely engaged in the plays, shots, and games; every piece of it was exhilarating and historical. It was exhilarating to see a team that I had grown up loving finally make history in the best possible way. I couldn’t stop smiling for days and I genuinely was so proud and happy for the entire team. My facebook wall and instagram feed was filled with celebration pictures and videos – I couldn’t stop watching and I didn’t want the celebration to stop. History in the making and such an iconic moment. Oh, the final score was 114-110 for Toronto; the series was won 4-2.
The NBA Finals win was iconic and special not only because it was the first, but because of everything we as fans have witnessed and experienced over the last 24 years. I touched on much of this in my previous blog, so I won’t reiterate anything here, but it truly was such a journey to get here. My brother was lucky enough to attend the Champions parade on Monday, June 17th alongside approximately 3 million people; what a crazy experience! I loved watching clips on the parade and seeing all the videos; the support from the city and fans has been incredibly overwhelming and words cannot describe exactly what this means for any Toronto Raptors fan. Now that the celebrations are dying down and the serious talks begin about what key members of the squad will or will not return, I just have to say this: regardless of what happens I am thankful and grateful for the 2018-2019 Toronto Raptors team, and all of those who came before this legendary season. Should we ever repeat as NBA Champions, it will be wonderful to have Larry O.B. back on Canadian soil. Yet, should we never become NBA Champions again, nothing will take away from this emotionally exhilarating experience that was the 2019 NBA Championship journey.
Now would be the time to break out the salami and cheese!
WE THE NORTH. NORTH OVER EVERYTHING. WE THE CHAMPS.
*photo courtesy of MLSE on the Toronto Raptors Facebook page*
Five Feet High Thoughts 