The Spurs lose the same way they win. Their way of life will continue on even if Tim Duncan, the star atop the pyramid, departs.
Even a hater like me felt bad for Tim Duncan at that moment.
If these are indeed the last days of Tim Duncan's NBA career, they're appropriate for his understated, yet rich legacy.
Rookie Thunder coach Billy Donovan has shown poise while consistently making the correct decisions that has Oklahoma City up 3-2. He's more than holding his own against a legend.
The Thunder have faltered in the fourth quarter all season. They made sure not to let that happen again with their season hanging in the balance.
San Antonio is succeeding in a different way, even while hanging onto everything that made them great.
Oklahoma City led by one inbounding the ball. Somehow, they survived the craziest 13 seconds of this year's playoffs.
The closing seconds of Game 2 of the Spurs-Thunder series were an outrageous maelstrom of basketball failure, with both teams making terrible plays and committing dumb violations while referees idly watched.
San Antonio commanded Game 1 from the opening tip, but their postgame demeanor reflected what makes this franchise different.