Durant

Not an NBA fan, in fact I only hear stories about the Cavs and the Warriors. I know Lebron James as my daughter's boyfriend Derrick Wilquin Orros Atijera's 'idol'. Stephen Curry, I got to know only because his little daughters barged in on an interview with him way back. I hear only Kevin Durant's name as one of the best players there is in his generation. So when I watched the game today, as I was in the right place at the right time (which means home where I can stand in front of the tv in my housedress, no bath, and stinking), I was exhilirated. Rosette, Shia Mace Lubiano Boado, the adopted one was frying fish for our lunch during the 3rd quarter, in-between explaining to me why the game today was important, who the players were, what they mean to their teams, etc. I was amused she knew a lot about the NBA.

Then Durant did that thing. I think it was during the 4th quarter, am not sure. But the team put into place this play where he was to shoot the ball like a dunk (is that what it's called?). But it was not actually the dunk where the players overdo it and hang on the freaking ring. It was a confident jump, secure in the fact that the ball was to get in that basket. He glided his way ever so gracefully past the defense and made the shot. The replay was ran from a camera positioned at the angle where the board was, and it was absolutely gorgeous. 

It was. He did it with style and grace that I thought of basketball for the very first time as an art, not merely a sport. Like dancers on a stage, the Warriors executed each step with the team, not to each his own. The whole game turned out to be a show of a spirit of oneness, every step measured to go for the win.

When all was over, and the Warriors were champions, I watched still the aftermath: that is the best part of any match I witness in any sport. I search for the look on the faces, the words unspoken but reflected in the eyes of the losers. And the winners. Lebron, after giving Durant a long hug, left the court, disappointment drawn all over his face.

Oh but the Warriors. They glowed with smiles on their faces, and held their babies on their arms like trophies: it was as if saying, 'this victory is for you, our children'. Durant was gesturing like a child in front of his mother, hugs not enough to express their joy. He seemed like in a daze, and while being interviewed by the game reporter, he did not focus. His mother pulled the front of his jersey, said: 'Look at me. We did it.'

It was a dream they both had since he was eight years old, he said in accepting his MVP Award. 

Cynics may say plenty against the Warriors. Or their 'overkill' decisions, their projection of this lovely image with the media. Maybe even their holding of their babies was on the agenda. But to me, it does not matter, all these cheap shots that I am anticipating all the fans of the other team will throw at them. It was enough that I saw the team's kids in their arms. And Durant, paying tribute to his mother. It was enough.