Kobe’s turn: He drops 41 in a win
Kobe Bryant (photo. Chris Sembrot)
Do you know what’s the most unfortunate part? That a lot of people out there are too caught up in hating one side or the other to appreciate what we’re seeing from Kobe Bryant and LeBron James as this postseason unfolds. Yeah, sometimes it seems just a little too convenient that the NBA, the TV networks and sneaker giants are all getting exactly what they want as Mamba and the King trade spectacular performances, but try to pull yourself away from that, and forget about whether you think Kobe is a dick or LeBron gets too much media hype. Just focus on the fact that these two are putting together a story that could eclipse Michael vs. Magic in ’91, Jordan vs. Barkley in ’93, Hakeem vs. Shaq in ’95, and even some of the Magic vs. Bird or Magic vs. Isiah epics from the ’80s. After LeBron owned Friday night, Kobe was The Man on Saturday, dropping 41 points and hitting clutch shot after clutch shot in L.A.’s Game 3 win over the Nuggets on the road … Although it was looking shaky for the Lakers for a while, and Pau Gasol was their best player on the floor during some key junctures in the second half, Kobe (12-24 FG, 15-17 FT) took over when it mattered most: With three minutes left he drove past ‘Melo and got an and-one to put L.A. ahead by one, then with one minute to go, wetted a tough three over J.R. Smith for another go-ahead bucket. (“That’s how you tell 20,000 people to sit down and be quiet,” Mark Jackson said.) KB missed a couple of big free throws in the quarter, but he did hit the four FT’s he needed to hit over the final 20 seconds to put Denver on ice … Just like in Game 1, though, Trevor Ariza (16 pts, 2 stls) made perhaps the biggest play of the night. With 37 seconds left, Denver was down two and inbounding from the sideline. Kenyon Martin threw a bad pass intended for ‘Melo, and Ariza was there for the steal. Carmelo (21 pts, 4-13 FG) was forced to foul — his sixth of the game — and Ariza made both his freebies … That wasn’t K-Mart’s only gaffe. As good as Kobe was down the stretch, Kenyon was just as bad. Throughout the fourth he was throwing up wild shots that had no chance, committing silly and unnecessarily rough fouls, and letting the ball slip from his hands when he did have good looks. On one crucial possession, K-Mart took a pass on the block and would have likely drawn a foul had he just gone up hard on Gasol (20 pts, 11 rebs), but he tried some circus layup and the Nuggets got nothing out of it …
J.R. Smith
Going into the fourth, it seemed like Denver’s game. Chauncey Billups (18 pts, 6 rebs, 7 asts) hit up Kobe on a pull-up three, then J.R. Smith nailed a three at the third-quarter buzzer to put the Nuggets up eight. But since J.R. drew a tech for tossing a bag full of F-bombs at Sasha Vujacic after that triple, L.A. began the fourth shooting a free throw, which sparked a 10-1 run to start the quarter … On the first play of the second half, L.A. immediately fed the ball to Andrew Bynum in the post, he made a strong move, and scored on a hook shot. The announcers were saying that if that was the Bynum that was gonna show up every night, L.A. is dangerous. So of course, Bynum was never heard from again after that. If Bynum and Jordan Farmar could play anything close to their potential, L.A. would be smashing everyone in their path right now … Why is everybody acting like Chauncey’s off-the-back pass on Kobe is the first time they’ve ever seen that play? Danny Ainge was pulling off that move back when he played, and he’s far from the only guy to do it. It’s clever and always kind of funny, but it’s nothing groundbreaking … Denver Broncos’ first-round pick Knowshon Moreno was sitting courtside, looking like an extra-diesel version of Kevin Hart from Soul Plane … Future strategy to think about if you’re George Karl: Whoever Derek Fisher is guarding, go to that guy and clear it out. (Unless it’s Anthony Carter.) Whether it was Chauncey or J.R., dudes were giving Fish buckets … Speaking of haters, you know they’re gonna surface after what LeBron said in his halftime interview. Talking about “The Shot” Jordan hit over Craig Ehlo and how his own shot from Friday may have exorcised some Cleveland demons, LBJ said something like, “That was the old #23 in black and red. There’s a new #23 in wine and gold.” Cue the You’re not half as good as Mike! vultures, although we didn’t think what LBJ said was that bad. We were more bothered by Stu Scott’s blatant lie that LeBron called him to get a spot on ABC’s halftime show … We’re out like Ehlo …
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May 24th, 2009 at 2:07 am
smity far away says:
never been a big kobe supporter(i thought it was extra funny when he got booed at the allstar game in his “hometown”. but i can definately appreciate great play. and that boy was bad as hell in when it counted. and j.r was working his ass off on d too. that 3 was – that boy is bad. thats all
May 24th, 2009 at 2:24 am
gamebl0uses says:
i think you guys meant “exorcised”, not exercised. unless lebron’s shot made the demons go for a run, or something.
May 24th, 2009 at 2:35 am
smoove chips says:
“Gradually I’m taking over your bytch
Coming over your shit
Got my feet up on your sofas, man
I mean a hostess for my open hand”- Jay
I smelt a comeback!i put that on everything.When the fourth srarted right after the J.R technical those lines were going through my head.thanks homes.game was too close for comfort.
kobe’s a badass and fisher IS the weakest link.Swear to big homie this cat must got some pictures of phil and dr.Buss kissing or something.
May 24th, 2009 at 3:07 am
qwerty says:
Im hating on d-fish right now. Guy is practically useless right now.
May 24th, 2009 at 3:12 am
the cynic says:
Melo has to stay out of foul trouble for the nuggets to have a chance
May 24th, 2009 at 3:29 am
ariza is the new coop says:
Kobe with a minute left. “WET!!!” filthy. just filthy. he sees melo as a little bro but don’t ya’ll notice whenever they showed olympic footage, Bron was makin’ fun of Kobe like an older brother would his younger bro. Gasol gets much props for last night. Kobes even said “I had nothin left” and those two buckets from Pao gave Kobe time to put together one last wind. Fish will recover. Farmar on the other hand, he still thinks he’s runnin things as a Bruin (though if you watch those addidas “the run” commercials with howard, josh smith, garnett, mcgrady, duncan, etc, he’s in every play dishin assists. He needs to go watch that commercial…
May 24th, 2009 at 3:47 am
Money Mike says:
Come on, give me two seven game series.
May 24th, 2009 at 4:19 am
Ian says:
Money mike i think ull get them
May 24th, 2009 at 4:35 am
knock knock says:
first thing , no ones hating on lebron, its just that kobe ACTUALLY GETS FOULS, AND he’s got 5 techs. While the cavs are allowed to throw a ball at someone and nothins called. If you watch lebron play, nothin about him reminds me of a basketball player, more like a tightend grabbin the ball and runnin thru people EVEN if they’re feet are set. I would like to see a real game where it doesnt seem like the refs are gettin drinks with “KING” after the game.
-after how lebron was talkin it sure seemed like they won the series already.
- anyone see the espns TOP 10 buzzerbeaters of the playoffs all time?? lebron’s first buzzerbeater of the playoffs EVER was #2. isnt that hilarious???
*it’s not gonna be remembered well if he loses this series, juss so you all know.
May 24th, 2009 at 4:35 am
knock knock says:
first thing , no ones hating on lebron, its just that kobe ACTUALLY GETS FOULS, AND he’s got 5 techs. While the cavs are allowed to throw a ball at someone and nothins called. If you watch lebron play, nothin about him reminds me of a basketball player, more like a tightend grabbin the ball and runnin thru people EVEN if they’re feet are set. I would like to see a real game where it doesnt seem like the refs are gettin drinks with the “KING” after the game.
-after how lebron was talkin it sure seemed like they won the series already.
- anyone see the espns TOP 10 buzzerbeaters of the playoffs all time?? lebron’s first buzzerbeater of the playoffs EVER was #2. isnt that hilarious???
*it’s not gonna be remembered well if he loses this series, juss so you all know.
May 24th, 2009 at 4:48 am
blast to yo face says:
anyone see dahntay jones’ defense on kobe??
everytime kobe shoots he pokes him in the stomach, surprisingly the refs never call it. You’d think kobe was the pillsberry doughboy.
May 24th, 2009 at 5:20 am
Benoit Benjamin says:
Best off the back pass was Pippen off Richard Dumas in the finals in 93. That was one was smart and took everyone by surprise. Plus it was pippen, so it was classy.
May 24th, 2009 at 5:23 am
Waitress says:
I was hoping for a “Kobe goes on a raping rampage in Colorado” title for smack today !!!
May 24th, 2009 at 5:35 am
knoc says:
@ 10
are u kidding me #2 of all time. all the media gotta stop hypin dude up n dick ridin
comon!
#2 of playoffs ….OF ALL TIME!
May 24th, 2009 at 5:53 am
Rafa23 says:
LOL, #2 OF ALL TIME? LMFAO.
what in the world is going on there? it was a great shot, no question. but #2? WOW
its not even top 10.
May 24th, 2009 at 5:54 am
L says:
#2 in the playoffs of all time….that’s just complete utter bullshit in its purest form. All this hype over a game winner where they blew a 20+ point lead.
May 24th, 2009 at 5:56 am
Ray says:
Your comment on K-mart – you nailed it
May 24th, 2009 at 6:12 am
BMW says:
#2? all-time? Until Cleveland win the series this shot is just another shot, with no significance. Don’t be blinded by hype people…DAMN
May 24th, 2009 at 6:45 am
QQ says:
Makes me feel good that cats here are not sold on Bron’s game winner, haha. Still a sick shot though.
Kenyon Martin and Derek Fisher should get together, have a cold drink, then talk about how they ruined their team’s game. That would be classic.
Fish: You know how I throw up crazy shots when the game is close and Kobe wants the ball? Take that!.
KMart: Brag all you want, but I lost the game for my team! It’s over, man. I killed it more than you did!
Fish: Cheers!
May 24th, 2009 at 7:05 am
Austin Burton says:
Just for conversation’s sake, which postseason buzzer-beaters would you guys rank ahead of LeBron’s shot?
May 24th, 2009 at 7:13 am
Rafa23 says:
mj-the shot
rex chapman- 97, 3 to tie the game
jerry west- buzzer from halfcourt finals
reggie miller- buzzer from halfcourt in 02
john stockton-97 to send jazz to finals
mj- 97 finals game 1
horry- 02
just of the top of my head. almost every buzzer beater in the finals would also be better.
again, GREAT shot by lebron, just saying dont overhype it.
May 24th, 2009 at 7:16 am
EC says:
All the Fisher haters…I agree he has stunk up the purple and gold, the past two games, but do we all forget about game 1 of the series?
13 pts 6 asts and 3 clutch 3′s… if it weren’t for his help, we could’ve been down 0-2 heading to Denver.
Still not an excuse for what he has done, the past 2 games though.
May 24th, 2009 at 7:17 am
Lakeshow213 says:
FCUK D-FISH
May 24th, 2009 at 7:19 am
JR says:
22. His negatives out weighs his positives.
May 24th, 2009 at 7:22 am
Rafa23 says:
oh, forgot some
gar heard-76 finals
derek fisher- 0.4
i would also add mj in 98 or magics junior junior skyhook, but since we are just talking buzzer beaters…
May 24th, 2009 at 7:30 am
QQ says:
HAHA.
Get em, Rafa!
Nice to see a real fan own these fools.
May 24th, 2009 at 7:34 am
Rafa23 says:
@ QQ
lol, thx man. i’m really rooting for the magic in the series, but i think every lebron lover would have to agree that those shots were either harder to hit or more important, which makes them better…
May 24th, 2009 at 8:03 am
knoc says:
@ knock knock
can u give us a link to that top 10 thing. i cant seem to find it.
May 24th, 2009 at 8:04 am
jdstorm says:
@smoove chips.
the thing fisher has going for him is that he’s probably Kobe’s only actual friend on the roster. notice how kobe has started playing more team ball and the lakers got better since fisher returned
May 24th, 2009 at 8:37 am
Lee says:
Paxon, Kerr and Jordan all have Championship winning shots … Probably a lot more too (Magic, Bird ??). No way is this shot even on a list !!!
May 24th, 2009 at 9:16 am
that's whats up says:
I was more impressed with B-Roy’s 35 foot rainbow to win a game during the season than Bron’s dagger.
But, it is the ECF, so that must mean something, right?
May 24th, 2009 at 9:56 am
Guitar Hero says:
Yeah, Fish is pretty much useless right now. No D, jacking bad shots all over…at least Vujacic tries to play some D and annoys people.
May 24th, 2009 at 9:59 am
Dagomar says:
Kobe was fantastic in the second half last night and he was especially great in the clutch. Ariza is one of the big revelations of these playoffs – that guy can absolutely do whatever is needed to make the Lakers win. I have a feeling that if the Lakers win the chip this year Ariza will have a big role to play in it.
But for me the big story last night was that the Nuggets fell apart and lost their cool. From Kmart’s wild incompetence to JR screaming and taunting, that team did what I’d expect last year’s team to do – not this year’s. Chauncey was obviously frustrated in multiple sequences. And Melo just vanished in the second half. Still, if I’m the Nuggets I feel pretty decent about game 4. Melo and Chauncey both stunk up the joint; if either played better the Nuggets win last night. We’ll see what happens.
May 24th, 2009 at 10:09 am
gilbo says:
duncan’s 3 > lebron’s shot
May 24th, 2009 at 10:23 am
sans says:
The Therapist was tearing through Colorado last night.
I don’t mean to hate on my fellow zebras, but what the fuck is with all Ts over nothing? Anthony Carter on a loose ball foul? JR deserved it for being a jack ass, but the most serious, intentional (Flagrant 1) foul was Dahntay Jones pushing Kobe in the back. You’d call that immediately in any other league, 4th grade and up. Especially in City Leagues. Shit like that starts fights.
Farmar’s jumper-to-dribbling mistake was hilarious. Plus the tantrum he threw (along with the ball afterwards) that earned him a T. Him and JR both deserve their techs, but these refs are getting outlandish.
I’m getting hungry for some chocalety championship cookies…
May 24th, 2009 at 10:31 am
doc says:
Knock Knock u just a hater.He has hit multiple game winners in the playoffs.His first ever buzzer beater like u get a chance to hit a buzzer beater everynight.What Kobe got 2 in the playoffs with like 1000 more games.What mike got 3 in the playoffs.What Bron supposed to have 10?Great game by Kobe.HE pulled that shit out at the end with that I will not lose focus.Them dam puppets making it even harder to win because that shit hypeing up the other teams.And the 2 other teams are championship contender good right now and that aint teams to be overlooking like they feel the league overlooking them.Kenyon Martin said hiself.Everybody wanna see Kobe and Bron like we just gonna lay down and die.If you wanna see Kobe and Bron you better go get NBA Live.Classic.
May 24th, 2009 at 10:36 am
doc says:
@rafa-Yeah that rex Chapman shot really propelled them out of that random first or second round game.Jerry West LOST that game.I never seen Reggie from halfcourt to win a playoff game show me a link to that one.And the other ones are legit.But u cant hate on Brons saying it wasnt important as a rex chapman buzzer beater in a EARLIER round.Who cares about a sportscenter top 10.Dime is right u dudes seriously dont like a dude because TV on his dick.
May 24th, 2009 at 10:37 am
Balla says:
That Chauncey off the back was so predictable. I called it before it happened. As soon as the ref handed Chauncey the ball, Kobe turned completely around and left the bassline wide open. That was the play Chauncey was supposed to make.
May 24th, 2009 at 10:39 am
doc says:
Today should be about The Black Mamba.
May 24th, 2009 at 10:49 am
jzsmoove says:
Whats with these damn Nuggets shooting themselves on the foot all night? Chauncey (of all people) and JR were jacking up ill-advised shot after shot. They were going for the knockout punch with their 3′s but which were not dropping. This group aside from Billups have not been here (ECF) before, the Lakers have and their experience is showing. If only the Nuggets show composure it could easily been 2-1 series in their favor.
It also seems like at some point late in the game when the Nuggets are UP by 7, that is when Kobe and Co decide its enough we gonna turn it up a notch.
Game 1 (89-82), Melo misses a quick shot and Lakers gets a trey of their own and starts their run.
Game 2 (98-91), Kobe starts going to the basket aggressively and wets buckets in peep’s faces.
Game 3 (79-72), Kobe starts 4th quarter with FT thanks to dumbass tech foul from JR.
May 24th, 2009 at 10:54 am
Soopa says:
Kobe killed the Nuggets last night. Straight murder. I dislike Kobe as a person and his persona is fake as can be. But my god is he an amazing basketball talent and he willed his team to the win no question about it. Didnt hurt that Ariza hit his 3′s and had the game winning steal (again), but Kobe did work lol.
May 24th, 2009 at 10:58 am
doc says:
And dam Ariza stepping it up.I remember like 5 or 6 years ago at Baron Davis camp out in LA.Everybody was going to work on him and when I was talking shit he said Im just working on my Defense I dont care about if yall score or not.Everytime I see him make a big steal or some shit like that i just think about him saying that .
May 24th, 2009 at 11:04 am
E$ says:
That post game Interview by Kobe is why he is a LAME. How anyone can love this dude character is beyond me
May 24th, 2009 at 11:12 am
E$ says:
Danny Ainge?! Come on, DIME – Who the *uck cares what Danny Ainge was doing? He was Sasha Boo-a-*itch of the 80-90′s – he could atleast shoot the ball….the sasha of today is a female wearing a jock strap
May 24th, 2009 at 11:14 am
E$ says:
Win or Lose….We are enjoying laughing & Bynum, guys are yelling out “That’s what 60 mill gets u in the “L”, peanuts”
May 24th, 2009 at 11:16 am
Ian says:
Doc reggies shot was vs the nets it sent the game into ot then he dunked on everyone to send the game into double ot but his best is the one he hadokened jordan to get free and nailed a bomb in the 98 ecf.
Duncans three is my fav , chapman and west lost their games.
Rafa i hate kobe oh and im a lakers fan hehehe.
May 24th, 2009 at 11:51 am
Lady Luck says:
I find it funny that Kobe is not even allowed to get tired. He IS human. I know he does superhuman things on the basketball court, but he played nearly the whole second half, in an up and down game, in Denver altitude, and he’s not allowed to be winded? Damn, you guys are hardcore.
I thought it was a phenomenal performance by the game’s best. He and Lebron are tearing it up. We are witnessing some tremendous basketball from all four teams, yet people still find a reason to complain. WTF?
May 24th, 2009 at 12:03 pm
silky says:
that fool loves to play it up. that post game interview was garbage. trying to forge himself a MJ finals flu game storyline or something. the washed up blondie interviewing him didnt know what to make of it. in the final huddle he probably tried to convince one of his teammates to carry him off the floor but they hate his ass so we were left with that fake-ass short grabbing, heavy breathing disgrace. man up ho.
damn i HATE that fool
May 24th, 2009 at 12:33 pm
Big Mike says:
Hate Hate and more Hate… It must be hard work to dislike Kobe.
May 24th, 2009 at 12:35 pm
Big Mike says:
Some of ya’ll act like Bron doesn’t have a manufactured persona/attitude. If you don’t think so then you don’t know much about big name players and marketing. Lebron running around hugging on teammates after every shot. Loses a games then acts like his leg is broke…lol
May 24th, 2009 at 12:45 pm
Dagomar says:
Look if you guys hate the NBA’s best players so much it might be time to find another sport. Or just watch ESPN classic all the time. What a bunch of fucking teenage losers.
May 24th, 2009 at 1:08 pm
Jerry says:
JR Smith 4-15
Melo 4-13
Kmart 3-10
Billups 5-15
Real bad shooting night for Nuggets, but was somewhat negated by Lakers missing 14 freebies
May 24th, 2009 at 1:42 pm
BERN BROGDEN says:
LAKERS were simply the BETTER team last night.
All that ‘soft’ stuff – OUT DA WINDOW.
As the game wore on, the hard fouls morphed into body blows.
Was Denver off or was it ARIZAVATING, I meant agrivating D?
I swore every time I saw TREVOR it was a big time 3bucket or defensive play.
I swore every time I saw KOBE go to the rack, he finished calmly and cooly, making it look SO easy.
I swore every time I saw PAU, he held his own. He scored on the block. He worked over Martin and Nene. Well, he did.
JR was way off. But he was creating for others with precise passes, no look zips. He had several nice dimes.
Big Shot was messin’ up in general.
Melo was quiet from the floor but he was gettin’ to the line to get his numbers.
With that said, BIRDMAN was OUTSTANDING. Active…EVERYWHERE. Props to Birdman for takin’ advantage of the defense. For makin’ LA pay for not respecting you.
Ya know sumptin’ about Fish – if he makes his shots, he’d actually wouldn’t recieve his daily dosage of critical venom. It says here: he’s a solid player.
I guess it’s at the point where you need him for his experience but he can’t hit a shot. On top of that, he keeps shootin’ at inopportune times and makes the head scratcher play every once and while. And the fact that he’s not hittin’ his shot, highlights the head-scratcher play even more. That’s why we in NBA WORLD get mad and demand a Farmer or Brown. But sumptin’ about them doesn’t spell ‘starter’ or ‘big time minute getter’ to the coach who’s thumb occasionally is cold because it’s not clothed in gold like the other 9 fingers.
I’m with you DIME –
Kobe, on the low, was like MJ yesterday.
May 24th, 2009 at 1:58 pm
doc says:
@ian-Reggie did hadoken the shit out of MJ for the winner.That was kinda exactly like Brons.East Finals and in the same spot.
May 24th, 2009 at 2:17 pm
Rafa23 says:
LOL @ ian, the classic line.
ok doc, reggie lost that game, but a buzzer from halfcourt isn’t better than lebrons shot? and rex chapmans shot was awesome, who cares if 2nd round or cf. if its not finals, its not a big difference. forgot duncans shot, that one is awesome,too.
again, lebrons shot was awesome, but #2 alltime?
you can take one or two shots away, that still doesn’t make it #2!!!
i dont hate lebron. i just dont care about him. but the hype about that is a bit much. im not saying he aint clutch or some shit like that.
May 24th, 2009 at 2:44 pm
K Dizzle says:
ain’t #2 all time, let’s agree on that, but it was clutch, and if he had missed…..
@ Dagomar post 48 – couldn’t have said it better.
Some of you haters need to go up to Denver and run a fullcourt so you can learn some shit about physiology and what decreased oxygen levels do to your lungs
@ E$ – Just in case you missed it: Lakers won and AB actually did what Jackson asked of him. Block some shots, play some d and generally stay outta Kobe and Pau’s way on offense. When we need 25+ from dude, it’ll be 2012 and that 55 mill gonna be a bargain
Pressure’s on you, Denver
and hopin the Magic come with some heat
peace
May 24th, 2009 at 3:01 pm
Bigdoggchad says:
Nuggets have it away again. Ice cold shooting from the three. They actually shot way to many threes. One thing that stuck out to me was that LA shot 45 FTs. I know 10 of them were techs n Denver fouling at the end of the game. But that still was a lot for a team that wasn’t attacking the rim. Damn just can’t get over the nuggs should be up 3-0 or 2-1. But you have to give credit to the lakers.
May 24th, 2009 at 3:03 pm
Bigdoggchad says:
Gave not have.
May 24th, 2009 at 3:09 pm
Bigdoggchad says:
One encouraging sign is Kobe is getting tired I knew it would be a factor at some point in the series. He can’t carry the offense and guard chauncey, Jr, and Melo all game. Also kenyon is killing us I would rather have kleiza out there to spread the floor n keep the lakers honest.
May 24th, 2009 at 3:34 pm
djKianoosh says:
Melo and Nene need to stay out of foul trouble and the Nuggets in general need to stop committing stooopid fouls and T’s. KMart and JR especially. Those knuckleheads might cost them this series. Otherwise, I still think they have a great shot to win it. They can shoot better than that. It seemed like they were trying to shoot their way out of their funk when they kept trying those 3′s. but a smart team would say eff it, let’s just take it to the hole instead. I would have thought Billups would do that, but he was also jacking 3′s.
less 3′s, less fouls and T’s, more Melo and Nene, and the Nuggets win.
May 24th, 2009 at 4:21 pm
Big Island says:
It just dawned on me, reading the line about the not as good as Mike vultures, that you don’t hear that as often with LeBron as you do Kobe. I am the first guy to break out the Kobe hate, and I have been known the break out the not as good as Mike stuff too, but I have never heard it with LeBron. I can’t believe I am going to say this, but it might be unfair for Kobe.
May 24th, 2009 at 4:28 pm
Marian says:
hope nuggets get that one back….
http://zo33.mybrute.com
May 24th, 2009 at 4:57 pm
Austin Burton says:
I agree that #2 was too high for LeBron’s shot, but some of the shots people would put above LBJ’s shot either don’t count or aren’t as meaningful:
1. Reggie Miller vs. Chicago in 98 wasn’t a buzzer-beater. There was still 0.7 left, time enough for Jordan to get off shot that spun out. Tim Duncan vs. Phoenix wasn’t a buzzer-beater, either. He left three seconds on the clock.
2. Jerry West from halfcourt wasn’t a game-winner; in fact, his team lost that game. Eddie Johnson vs. Utah, his team lost that series.
3. Rex Chapman vs. Seattle was in the 1st round, as was Kobe vs. Phoenix, Mourning vs. Boston, and Reggie vs. New Jersey. And Jordan’s “The Shot” vs. Cleveland was also in the first round.
4. If we’re going by the criteria that shots in later rounds are more important, then the ones you’d put above LeBron right now are:
* Stockton vs. Houston, Fisher vs. San Antonio, Horry vs. Sacramento, and Jordan vs. Utah (Game 1 ’97 Finals). And just because it’s MJ, go ahead and put “The Shot” above LBJ, even though it came in an earlier round. So that puts LeBron sixth, and keep in mind that whenever something is fresh, it always sticks out more in people’s minds. Case in point: Kenny Smith at every Dunk Contest with, “THAT WAS THE GREATEST DUNK I’VE EVER SEEN!!” Give it some time and some perspective, and we’ll eventually see where it ranks.
May 24th, 2009 at 4:59 pm
Austin Burton says:
Actually, drop Derek Fisher a spot, because that 0.4 shot was in the second round.
May 24th, 2009 at 5:16 pm
BMW says:
@AB
What would you say of the LeBron shot if they lose to the Magic?
May 24th, 2009 at 5:17 pm
Jon says:
Funny how the Nuggets got called for a load of BS fouls on their own home court. The NBA is making it too obvious that they want kobe to go to the finals.
Every important nuggets player had 4 fouls by early 3rd qtr except billups. I actually rather see lebron vs Melo in the finals. I’m not a fan of any of the remaining 4 teams but kobe and the lakers are a boring team to watch and its always too obvious the refs are helping them.
May 24th, 2009 at 5:18 pm
BMW says:
@AB
What would you say of the LeBron shot if they lose to the Magic? What significance would it have besides being a nice buzzer-beater?
May 24th, 2009 at 5:40 pm
Austin Burton says:
If they lose the series, then obviously LeBron’s shot drops in significance. But if they win, then his shot goes down as the one that saved them from an 0-2 deficit and was the historical counter-punch to Jordan’s shot against Cleveland. So like I said, give it some time and perspective and then we can accurately rank it.
(P.S. – Stockton vs. Houston happened with the game tied. So if he missed, the game goes to overtime. If LeBron misses, Cleveland loses.)
May 24th, 2009 at 6:00 pm
K Dizzle says:
@ AB – I think the Logo’s shot should be number 1. They eventually lost, but IF the 3 point line was around, that game’s a wrap
@ this dude
“but kobe and the lakers are a boring team to watch and its always too obvious the refs are helping them”
WHAT?!? Please tell me you saw game 1 when chauncey stepped outta bounds before he cashed in that three and please tell me you saw JR’s jumpball violation in gm 2 or D Jones puttin two hands to kobe’s back on a layup with no flagrant call. I’m not gonna try to change your mind on the Lakers bein borin to watch, that’s for you. Refs ain’t helpin either team. They just doin their inconsistent best to make this a frustratin series for fans and players both. Denver could easily be up 3-0. Even D Stern don’t got that kinda juice to decide who advances. Dudes need to let that go
May 24th, 2009 at 10:58 pm
LakeShow84 says:
How many steps in Lebron really allowed??
May 24th, 2009 at 11:03 pm
LakeShow84 says:
@ AB
You right thats why i havent really made a judgement on how monumental that shot was.. If Cleveland wins then that COULD be debatable as #2 all time because, as u said, it kept them alive cuz that hole wouldve been too huge.. but even if they lose i would say its still top TWENTY lol..
Cleveland starting to hit they shit!!
May 24th, 2009 at 11:38 pm
LakeShow84 says:
Bwa bwa bwah bwaaaaahhhhhhh..
Sad to see them take Howard out the game like that.. How does reigning DPOY get called on a clean block like that??
Oh yeah it was against Lebron who happened to shoot 24 fucking FT’s.. DAMN..
Anyone else think Cleveland is still fine??
Dont believe the hype!!
May 25th, 2009 at 1:06 am
ponky_alolor says:
yup, lakeshow, we are in trouble. magic really bringing the heat. i think even pietrus outscored all of the cavs bench. damn that’s tough. even lebron can’t manufacture anything from that.
honestly, we need more production from the front-line. Gotta get some fresh talent here. Z and Andy just aren’t going to cut it especially against an elite big like Dwight or Gasol.
May 25th, 2009 at 1:21 am
dreaMachine says:
flush the fish!
May 25th, 2009 at 11:04 am
E$ says:
Kobe may have played the entire 2nd half, but it wasn’t a commerical free 2nd half. Hakeem Olajuwon could fast & still give a 20 second interview standing upright
May 25th, 2009 at 4:55 pm
K Dizzle says:
Not in Denver he couldn`t
May 26th, 2009 at 9:02 am
E$ says:
K Dizzle, he has done it…..Denver, Utah, and everywhere else!
May 28th, 2009 at 5:12 pm
SagJism says:
Hakeem has never done it in Denver in the playoffs, stop lying.
NBA = WWF