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 (G/F, Meerkat) 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 low post game, the Seattle Summit used Daniel Quvianuq (C, Polar Bear) and a still fresh Jake Turner (F/C, Red Fox) to catch up, going on an 8-0 run to finish the first tied.

The second quarter saw much of the same, though the minutes seemed to catch up to Jake Turner.After averaging 30.3 Points per game during the series up until game 7, Jake Turner (F/C Red Fox) came in a little bruised and tired after facing Dewitt Azad Ghakhar (Markhor, F/C) for the past six games. Even when 'cold' during the game, Turner still finished the game with 14 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 blocks. San Jose took advantage and managed to scrape out a one point lead going into the half, seeming to take control of the game as Turner showed signs of fatigue and the bench running low for Seattle early.

Into the third, Seattle found life from the back court, Jeri Naranjo (Cacomistle, G) and Kinny Demarcus (Hairy Bush Viper, G/F), the latter starting in place of Jamie Velasquez (G/F, Seagull) who went down with a sprained wing in the fourth the game before. Little was expected from the bench player, but his wonderful play in the third allowed Seattle to fire back at San Jose when Turner started to slow. However, brilliant plays by Barnaby Jazz (F/C, Shark) kept San Jose competitive, taking advantage of the weakened presence of his All-Star match-up. Ending the third, San Jose kept the scored tied and momentum on their side.

Seattle appeared lost in the fourth at the start, Kinny Demarcus and Jake Turner after the first had played more minutes than accustomed and the latter aching after six straight MVP-worthy games. A surprising presence off the Seattle bench halted the San Jose run with Ryan Ottley (Eurasian River Otter, G), scoring three straight buckets and counting an "and-one" to cut their large lead down to something manageable. Yet he too lost his touch and Seattle looked lost once more, shaking the barrel that was their bench to find someone of an offensive spark. While Daniel Quvianuq did his best scoring and swatting away any attempts during the game, the load was large as his partner in crime was dysfunctional throughout the game.

In came a rookie, Niko McNamara (G/F, Meerkat) who during the game had knocked down a three and several other baskets, but also remained rather quiet throughout the series and the seventh game. He replaced Kinny Demarcus with under a minute left to go, who was showing signs of dehydration at that point. The game was tied, and the Summit had the ball, Niko McNamara was given the keys to the offense, yet his dribbling skills, or lack there of, showed as he coughed up the ball on a costly turnover that seemed to cost the Summit the game. The last twenty seconds saw a stagnant offense by Seattle as the time ran down and their loss almost assured. With a few seconds left on the clock, the ball landed in Turner's hand, who promptly slashed to the rim for a dunk, but was met with brutal force by Barnaby Jazz who swatted the ball out of bounds, leaving Seattle with only .9 seconds left on the clock for an inbound pass and shot.

This is why we play. The set was designed for Jake Turner 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, Daniel Quvianuq scanned the court for anyone to screen for, Niko McNamara cutting up around the arc towards the ball on the left wing. The polar bear stepped out, firmly planting and knocking off Jonathan Lawyer who had fought hard over the screen, but enough day light was given for the other meerkat on the court. Niko caught the pass from Evan Marshall (Helmeted Woodpecker, F) and turned immediately, falling away and jumping up high as possible to avoid the outstretched hand of Lawyer. 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 unpredictable impossibility of going in.

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.

"Its 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

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