*cue Twilight Zone theme*
A Toyota commercial that aired during the 2005 NBA Finals has re-surfaced on YouTube, and it bears a strong resemblance to the Great Early Exodus of Miami Heat Fans in Game 6 of the 2013 Finals. The ad features two bros who left the game early, only to find out their team has made a comeback. They attempt to re-enter the arena, but are met with locked doors (and a fabulously robed Zen Master, Phil Jackson).
Was it a harbinger of things to come? Probably not. But, you could argue all the pieces were in place for the real life version: most bandwagon-y bandwagon fans in all of sports, combined with an insurmountable deficit of three points with 30 seconds remaining.
About John Ferensen