2016 FBA Season/16.05.26/SJT@SEA/Capsule
This is why we play basketball. Game seven's are magical games in the playoffs, and more often than not they are tightly contested, never one team showing their entire hand until the final buzzer sounds. While some games never live up to the hype, this one certainly made the fans from both teams shake in their seats.
At the start of the first quarter both teams came out slow, testing each other on their final game of the series. Jonathan Lawyer (Meerkat, F/G) came in hot, scoring 4 of the first six baskets for the San Jose Thrust, including a three that put them ahead halfway through the first quarter. Through their low post game, the Seattle Summit used Daniel Quvianuq (Polar Bear, C) and a still fresh Jake Turner (Red Fox, C/F) to catch up, going on an 8-0 run to finish the opening frame tied at 23 apiece.
The second quarter saw much of the same, though the minutes seemed to catch up to the Firefox. After averaging 30.3 points per game during the series up until game 7, Turner looked a little battered and tired after taking on San Jose's defensive duo of Dewitt Azad Ghakhar (Markhor, F/C) and Barnaby Jazz (Shark, C/F) for the past six games. Even when 'cold' during the game, the young vulpine still finished the game with 14 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 blocks. The Californians took advantage of the scoring leader's lowered offense and managed to scrape out a one-point lead going into the break, looking to take complete control of the game with Turner showing signs of fatigue and his bench running low for the Washington franchise early.
Into the third, Seattle found life from the back court, Jeri Naranjo (Cacomistle, G) and Kinny DeMarcus (Hairy Bush Viper, G), the latter starting in place of the injured Jamie Velasquez (Seagull, G/F) who went down with a sprained wing near the end of the previous game. Little was expected from the perennial bench player, but his wonderful play in the third allowed the Summit to fire back at San Jose when Turner continued to struggle against the visitors' defense. In addition, the brilliant plays by the aquatic Australian kept San Jose competitive, taking advantage of the weakened presence of his All-Star match-up. By the end of the third, Seattle managed to get the score tied once again, but San Jose kept the momentum on their side.
The Summit appeared lost in the opening minute of the fourth, with Speedbump having played more minutes than accustomed and Firefox no doubt aching after six straight MVP-worthy games. After a Seattle timeout paused a 6-point run by the Thrust, a surprising presence off the Summit bench boosted the home team when Ryan Ottley (Eurasian River Otter, G) scored three straight buckets including an "and-one" to once again take the lead. Yet he too lost his touch and Seattle looked lost once more, shaking the barrel that was their bench to find someone with an offensive spark to keep the visitors from repeatedly pulling away. While DQ did his best on both ends of the court during the game, the burden was heavy while his partner-in-crime was mostly ineffective throughout the game.
In came rookie Niko McNamara (Meerkat, F/G) who had knocked down a three and several other baskets in the previous three quarters, but also remained rather quiet throughout the series thus far. With less than a minute left to go, he replaced Kinny who was showing signs of dehydration at that point. The game was tied, and the Summit had the ball, and Niko was given the keys to the offense; his dribbling skills, or lack thereof, showed as he coughed up the ball on a costly turnover that seemed to spell victory for the Thrust. The next twenty seconds saw a ineffective defense by Seattle as the clock ran down and their loss almost assured after Blythe Nacht (Red Fox, G) knocked down a long deuce. After the ensuing timeout and only a few seconds left on the clock, the ball landed in Turner's paws, who promptly slashed to the rim for a dunk, but was met with brutal force by Jazz who swatted the ball out of bounds, leaving Seattle with only .9 seconds left on the clock for an inbound pass and shot. Although the crowd was booing loudly at the refs lack of whistling for a foul, the block was clean and the Summit had no more timeouts left.
This is why we play. The set was designed for Jake who had saved them on many occasions during the season, trying to get free from Barnaby, who smothered him and denied him with tremendous off-ball defense. On the fly, DQ scanned the court for anyone to screen for, and Niko was cutting up around the arc towards the ball on the left wing. The polar bear stepped out, firmly planting and knocking off Corey Allen (Dog, F) who had fought hard over the screen, but enough daylight was given for the meerkat on the court. Niko caught the inbound pass from Evan Marshall (Helmeted Woodpecker, F) and turned immediately, falling away and jumping up high as possible to avoid the outstretched hand of the dog. With only a sliver of hoop exposed, Niko fired off the shot that every player dreams of. Seattle fans were caught with their breaths collectively held, ball whizzing through the air and connect with glass, banking into the basket with the unpredictable impossibility of going in just after the final buzzer rang.
Hush, for a few moments that's all that arena held, before erupting in cries of victory, a team stunned while the other embraced and tackled their rookie. The Prophet had pulled through, the legendary nickname truly displayed for all. After the celebration, Mike Rapapon caught up with Niko on the floor, still smiling and gazing at the rim. He asked him how he felt on the game and his feelings afterwards:
"It's very hard to think right now, the adrenaline's still going but, y'know I play on a team where I've got two All-Stars in Jake and Daniel, and those guys eat EVERY NIGHT. It really helps keep the pressure off us on the perimeter, and by doing so I can get open shots. I don't think I could fit in any other system but Seattle's right now, and I'm very appreciative that they trusted me with that shot. Y'know it wasn't even a play designed for me, it was uh planned for uh Jake of course, I mean he was having a rough night, he looked tired from all these games but, y'know I just came off a great screen and they trusted me. I don't wanna be anywhere else because these guys trust me, these guys uh, I don't know how you do that with a rookie but... uh... hopefully I can keep making them like this."
After sharing his words, he simply left with the team, humble and yet childish in the smile that came to him after living the dream so many believe as a young boy or girl. This is why we play, these moments. They never leave us.
-Stephen Marshall, freelancer