Making the exit into summer is never easy. But this way? This way was gruesome, not to mention humiliating. And starting today, that's what the Mavericks will have to live with, and live down, for more weeks and months than at the moment they care to even think about.

But on the other hand, how about that Steve Kerr, the 37-year-old savior of the Spurs here Thursday night, and the shocking architect of a San Antonio fourth-quarter comeback? Yes, this time it was a Spurs' comeback.

In a role reversal, the Mavs collapsed.

"The last thing we wanted was the lead," joked Spurs coach Gregg Popovich.

In these Western Conference Finals, Pop had a point.

The Spurs blew away a 13-point deficit, Kerr took over the game on both ends of the floor, and Game 6 ended with San Antonio headed for the NBA Finals via a 90-78 victory.

Left dazed was a wild New Arena crowd that had experienced a massive emotional swing. What the heck happened?