Go Spurs Go

Vikhyath called me at around 8 in the morning and both of us started cribbing about the state of Game 7 of the NBA Finals. The defensive intensity was so much. San Antonio and Detroit combined for only 77 points in the first half and Detroit made it a one point game at the breather. This is poor basketball, some may say. No, its classical basketball. These teams take pride in forcing shot clock violations and swatting the ball away rather than scoring 100 plus points. Vikhyath read out a list of Detroit players whom he hates. He would have named the entire roster!

"Oh! this will be really boring"... That was what the people outside Texas and Michigan opined when the Spurs were pitted against the Pistons for the finals. After all everyone would love to see high scoring energy sapping affairs. After all thats the way things are changing; quite similar to the effect one day cricket has had and oflate the 20-20 games. But this is for the basketball purists. It is said that "Defense wins championships" and thats why San Antonio and Detroit are in the finals. The first four games were blowouts and the next two were decided in the final minutes and what else can you ask for in the final game?

That's precisely the reason I woke up early and sat in front of the TV. And I was spell bound for the next three and a half hours until the presentation ceremony. Detroit made it 48-39 and Vikhyath and I were probably the most disappointed guys in India at that time. That's when one man, who was was criticised for not playing the way he used to and he is expected to at crunch situations, took over. He is the man... he is basketball's Rahul Dravid.

"In comes Ginobili, whips it to Barry, Barry to Duncan and Duncan slams it home", screamed Hubie Brown of ABC TV and that was the turning point. Another scream at the same time. My mother came running out of the kitchen. It was me. So much excitement and Duncan turned the game on its head. He did it all. He made his patented bank shots, made his free throws, assisted on three huge treys and played terrific 'D'. The MVP award, his third, was only an expected addition to the superstar's hardware collection. Manu Ginobili, the Argentine superstar shooting guard with his slashy dare-devil style of play thundered the rim with a couple of unbelievable dunks. He brought in the real rustiness that you get to see in the South Americans enroute to winning his second ring in his third season. Bruce Bowen, one heck of a pesky defender blocked a three pointer. My-o-My, he is absolute nuisance for any opposition!

And it was all over with silver and black confetti streaming down the rafters. Tring.. Tring.. Vikhyath again... "Oh! what a play!" we screamed. That was what we were expecting. Our favorite team had won a championship. A terrific exhibition of individual brilliance combined with indomitable team spirit. I had to cut short our call as it was already 9.55 and I had still not had my bath. Man, I gotta go to office! Hastening things a bit, I left at 10.30. Damn hot outside. Thankfully T51 came in immediately and after helping myself out with Cardamom milk to beat the heat at the Aavin Parlour in Tidel Park, I made my way to work.

Oh! What a morning it was! Weekend mood started right in the morning!

Schumachers of Chennai

"They drive like maniacs, they show scant regard for traffic rules, courtesy?? thats greek and latin for them... " and so it goes, a flurry of complaints against the MTC crew.. If you have ever had the dubious pleasure of travelling in the badly maintained battered MTC buses, the lifeline of Chennai's transportation, you would not hesitate to accept it. And neither would I, for I had travelled in 21G, one of the most famous buses in Chennai, connecting the northern and southern ends of the city, for 4 years during my college life.

That experiece didn't change for me even a year after I passed out of college. But I was in for a surprise this morning. It was 6.45 in the morning and I didn't want to leave that early to office, for game 6 of the NBA finals had just started. It was chill outside and the weather, absolutely brilliant. Mr. Sun who was consistently serving at 40/30, as KG pointed out, was not yet out and what else could I ask for. T51 arrived spot on at 6.50. I happened to witness some impeccable behaviour of the crew. The counductor was courtesy exemplified. Never have I in recent times seen a conductor so polite to the passengers. He announced the name of each stop, never cribbed even if a 50 rupee note was given to him for a 2.50 ticket and above all, he was always on the move despite the heavy rush. The driver on the other hand, followed traffic rules to the core, slowed down and honked at the sharp turns, never crossed the speed limit and he let the real maniacs, the Sathyabama and SJCE college bus drivers, to overtake.

I was only happy that there are quite a few good crew members with MTC as the week began on a bad note for hundreds of commuters who were left stranded in the Tambaram bus stand as the crew went on strike. And demonstrations are becoming the order of the day everywhere in the city. Is Chennai becoming another Kolkata??

Engrossed in these thoughts, I alighted at Tidel and was all set to start a brand new day in office. The sun was still not out. The widening of the OMR stretch between Madhya Kailash and Siruseri had already started in the morning. Tidel Park is a beauty to watch in such a glorious weather. A tasty combo (Idly, Kichdi and Vadai) and delicious filter coffee at C++ Sandwiches made up my breakfast with "Kannum Kannum Nokia" in the background.

In the meantime, my favorite team the San Antonio Spurs had lost game 6 of the NBA finals. It would be a cracker of a finale on friday between two 'D' minded teams and I dont want to miss it. Its 'D' that fetches you championships, they say. Quite true it is!

Altogether a brilliant morning it was.. though a bit upset with the spurs losing a chance to wrap it all.