I'm only 22 and really only followed the Blazers since 1991 and the rest of the NBA since 1996. My views are biased, my memories are sketchy, and my emotions ring true.
Bottom Five:
5. Derek Fisher's .4 shot. I hate the Lakers. Very much. I've also had an affinity to the Spurs. So when Fisher hit a shot that I still think he didn't get off after Duncan hit the shot of his career, I died a little inside. Not a lot, but these things add up.
4. Robert Horry hitting the buzzer beating three against the Kings. I don't remember the series, what game it was, anything. I just know the Lakers won when they should have lost. And I hate the Lakers, very much.
3. Sean Elliot hitting an impossible three in game three of the 199 West Finals over Rasheed Wallace. Portland had led the entire game and looked poised to come back in the series. When Elliot hit that shot the Spurs went up 3-0, instead of Portland pulling to 2-1. I'm still convinced that had he missed Portland would have won the series.
2. Jordan going off for six straight threes against the Blazers in the 1992 Finals. I was only a third grader, but I knew Portland would win. I'm still convinced they should have. Seeing Jordan TOYING with my team caused permanent psychlogical damage.
1. The Blazers in the 2000 West Finals. They held a 15 point lead in the 4th against the Lakers in LA. The Finals and a certain title awaited. I actually told my friend "one more bucket clinches it." They would hit their next shot when they were down seven. I actually died a little inside.
Top Five
5. Pistons defying the odds and knocking off the heavily favored Lakers in the 2004 Finals. Have I mentioned I hate the Lakers? It was great to see the ensuing breakup that came from this loss. Team over talent in the playoffs. Always.
4. The end of game 6 in the 1997 Finals. THe Jazz were looking to inbound the ball with a shot to tie or win. Scottie Pippen (who I liked far more than MJ even before he came to Portland) made a terrific hustle play, knocking away the inbounds pass and making a pass lying down to Toni Kukoc for the clinching dunk. I love hustle.
3. Tim Duncan's game 7 in the 2003 Finals. The game was in limbo, so Duncan put up 20 points, 20 boards, 10 assists, and 7 blocks. One of the most underrated game 7 performances in history, and it allowed the Spurs to send David Robinson (who ahd 13 and 17 of his own) out on top.
2. Game Five, 2005 NBA Finals. Robert Horry turns back the clock and has one of the greatest 4th quarters in Finals history before hitting the game winning three in overtime.
1. Game Six, 1998 NBA Finals. Jordan's last game with the Bulls: 45 points and the game winner. Couldn't write an ending any better. Too bad he didn't stay away.
New Orleans Saints Camp
Comments (4)
Heres how mine would go
Bottom 5
5. Trail Blazers blow 15 point lead in Game 7 2000 Western Conference Finals: I really did not like the Lakers then, and I wanted to see the Blazers erase their 3-1 deficit b beating the Lakers in L.A., but alas, they have one of the biggest gags in sports history
4. Nets top Pacers in 2 0.T. in Game 5 2002 first round: As a Knicks fan I HATED the early 2000 Nets teams, so much so I rooted for REGGIE MILLER and the Pacers to beat them. The scrappy 8 seeded Pacers forced New Jersey to the 5th deciding game, and in regulation Reggie hits a miraculous 40 footer to tie the game up( one of the happiest moments of my sports life), while also having throwing down a two handed jam to tie the score in O.T. Unfortunately, the Nets kept their composure and easily closed out the Pacers in the second overtime
3. Vince Carter beats the Knicks, first round of the 01 playoffs- The Knicks squared off against a weak Raptors squad who was basically all Vince Carter, in the first round of the 2001 playoffs. The Knicks had easily swept Toronto the year before, and I expected them to do it again. Up 2-1, the Knicks just could not find an answer for Vince, as he went to the Garden in Game 5 and singlehandidly punched the Knicks out of the playoffs. New York has not recovered since
2. Reggie Miller lights it up, Game 6 2000 Eastern Conference Finals- Once again in a dogfight with the Pacers, the Knicks blew a huge lead in game 5 in Indiana and looked to send the series back their for a decisive Game 7 when they hosted the Pacers in MSG. The teams played to a deadlock through 3 quarters, but once the 4th came around, Reggie came and ruined another Knicks season. Miller dropped something like 18 points in the 4th and the Pacers sent the Knicks home and celebrated their first trip to the NBA Finals on the MSG court. Sickening
1. Avery Johnson's game winner, Game 5 99 NBA Finals- The miracle Knicks, who became the first 8 seed to make the Finals, were squared off against a great Spurs squad who had romped through the playoffs on their way to the Finals. The Knicks got smoked in the first two games in San Antonio, rebounded to pull out a gritty Game 3, but lost Game 4 leaving the Spurs the chance to clinch the title in the 5th game. With the Knicks up 77-76 with under a minute to play, Avery Johnson drilled a long jumped with 50 seconds left to put the Spurs up 78-77. On the Knicks final play, an inbounds pass found Latrell Spreewell under the basket but surrounded by the twin towers. Spree threw up an airball and the Spurs clinched the championship. Still the most painful loss I have ever experienced in the NBA
NYGiantsSBXLIICHAMPS | 04/22/08, 02:50 PM
Report Offensive CommentI will finish this later
NYGiantsSBXLIICHAMPS | 04/22/08, 02:53 PM
Report Offensive Commenthahaha this is so funny. I like reading another person's most memorable moments...I'm a huge laker fan..so obviously my top 5 would be closer to your bottom 5...this is nicely written. Congrats, i enjoyed reading this and im not being sarcastic..i just think its cool to read things from other fan's perspectives instead of from our own clouded judgment
=) look forward to reading more of your stuff
xvargas | 04/24/08, 10:29 AM
Report Offensive CommentI like it, I like it! But WHY YOU GOTTA HATE ON THE LAKERS, MAN?
pennwjr | 04/26/08, 03:16 PM
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