Spock really did admire Jim. He admired him as a captain, a friend, and most importantly as his partner. Growing up, Spock was taught to lock his emotion away. He was told he was too emotional, too human like his mother, but right now he knew what he felt and it was love.
Spock loved Jim and the feeling inside of him was something he never wanted to supress. His mother always told him that to feel love and friendship was something to cherish and right now Spock finally understood what his mother had been telling him. Love always won.