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Sonics Give It Their All But Spurs Just Too Tough

Authored by Hunter Johannason - May 20, 2005 - 2:09 am

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After the first two games of this Western Conference Semifinals it seemed as if the Sonics did not have a chance in this series, the Spurs dismantled the Soups making the game of Basketball look all too easy. And the Sonics had their excuses as well, a hobbled Ray Allen, their sixth-man Vladimir Radmanovic out for the series and worst of all their all-star forward Rashard Lewis unable to play with a toe-injury. Yet it all came down to a fade-away Ray Allen 3-pointer with .5 seconds left. A shot that would have taken the Sonics to Game 7 versus the rival Spurs. Back rim clang and the season was over, a valiant effort by one of the purest shooters the NBA has ever seen. But this was a season that met and exceeded any expectations Sonics fans could have ever had. Truly a dream season with an almost “Cinderella” ending.

So it was not meant to be. The Sonics fell to the mighty San Antonio Spurs 98-96 in a thriller in the Key Arena. This was a game that saw Tim Duncan shoot 6-21 from the field and still finish with 26 points while also hitting the game winner off a dime from Manu Ginobili. This was a game that had no dead time, no chances for the average viewer to turn away. A crowd that did not relent from screeching their high-decibel cheers, making for a Key Arena that, in this writer’s opinion, has never been so loud, so boisterous.

Formerly Sonics reserves, players like journeyman Antonio Daniels and rookie Damien Wilkins were thrust into the spotlight and forced to perform. And perform they did. Daniels, a former Spur, finished with 22 points while Wilkins added 10. Ray Allen was always there with the clutch shot the Sonics needed but could not hit the off-balance fader that would have won it, a very tough shot. Allen finished with a game high 26 points.

Earlier I said I would settle for a win or two. Well, I was wrong to say that and these Seattle Supersonics who continued to amaze throughout the season game me a Conference Semi-Final run that I won't soon forget. The 2004-05 season ends in heartbreak and on a high note concurrently. A memorable season that might be the beginning of a new Sonics dynasty and a change in the style/excitement of the NBA for years to come. Provided there is no lockout...