In the history of the NBA, there are baskets at the buzzer in the playoffs, including the now legendary Kawhi Leonard against the Sixers, and there is Derek Fisher’s shot against the Spurs in 2004.
The Lakers point guard’s buzzer shot indeed has a unique place in legend. It concentrates an improbable aspect and an unforgettable suddenness, in an epic and symbolic confrontation of the 2000s.
The dramatic peak of a mythical rivalry
The rivalry between San Antonio and Los Angeles was one of the fiercest of the early 21st century, following Michael Jordan’s second retirement in 1998. Between 1999 and 2010, the two franchises shared nine NBA titles. Six times, between 1999 and 2008, they will face each other in the playoffs and the dramatic summit comes on May 13, 2004.
The two teams are tied 2-2 and the fifth game is played in San Antonio. The floor is a real track to the stars: Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant, Gary Payton, Karl Malone, Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili… And to top it off, Gregg Popovich and Phil Jackson on the benches.
With 21 seconds left, San Antonio leads 71-70 (a halftime score today), when Kobe Bryant recovers the ball. The back scores and gives the advantage to the Lakers. 11 seconds still before the end, and the Spurs do not find a shot, but Derek Fisher makes a mistake.
Tim Duncan’s shot, already a feat
Throw-in on the side. The swell fails in the hands of Tim Duncan, who returns to the center line of the basket and sends a one-handed shot over Shaquille O’Neal, a meter behind the throw line. It’s inside! A real feat from the interior of the Spurs. The clock already seems to give the victory to the Texans: 0.4 seconds remaining. Too little to work a miracle even if time-outs accumulate to cover their tracks.
Except that on the throw-in, Robert Horry, on instructions from Gregg Popovich, cuts off the possibility of a pass to Kobe Bryant, but leaves an opening for Derek Fisher. The point guard doesn’t think – he doesn’t have time – and sends his shot. The ball pierces the net. Los Angeles wins 74-73, San Antonio collapses.
“The moment I shoot, I know he will come in”explained the hero at the time. “When I take the ball, I’m already in my shot. Then I ran into the locker room because I didn’t want them to think it wasn’t valid. This match is the symbol of our season: we were sometimes exceptional, and sometimes we were very bad. »
The most cruel defeat for Gregg Popovich…
After verification, the shot is valid even if there will follow a controversy over the clock, the Spurs estimating that Derek Fisher had more than 0.4 seconds to take his shot. The NBA will confirm the basket the next day, but the referees will require the use of video for this type of action. A pivotal moment in playoff history.
“I don’t need to review the images”commented Tony Parker after the meeting. “I really thought we won the game. Tim had just scored an incredible shot, and I thought we had won. »
Gregg Popovich will talk about the “cruel defeat” of her career. Unfortunately for him, it will be worse with Game 6 of the 2013 Finals and Ray Allen’s award-winning shot.
