The world turned upside down nine years ago, on June 18, 2013, the evening of Game 6 of the NBA Finals between the Heat and the Spurs. It may have been two seconds when Ray Allen received the ball from Chris Bosh, took a small step back to draw from the corner, under the nose and beard of Tony Parker, as Radamel Falcao.
All basketball fans probably remember this moment. They also probably remember the emotion that followed, with on the one hand an immense joy for the Florida supporters (those who had remained…), or an indescribable frustration in the Texan ranks. Thanks to this 3-point to equalize at 95-95 five seconds from the end, Ray Allen, whose team was playing its survival, changed the course of history.
As security prepared to cordon off the field in preparation for Spurs’ title celebrations, the series was eventually pushed back to Game 7, and it was LeBron James and the Heat who took the throne.
LeBron James: ‘By far the best game I’ve been in’
And for good reason: there are less than two minutes left to play, and as in the five previous meetings between the two teams, the atmosphere is unbreathable.
As in Game 1 at the American Airlines Arena, where he ended the game with a winning basket on an unbalanced leg in the last seconds, Tony Parker is taking the game on his own. The French point guard plants a 3-pointer full of composure on the head of LeBron James to equalize at 89-89, then intercepts a poor pass from Mario Chalmers before putting in an incredible shot from mid-range, after a fake where TP goes to his right to better surprise his bodyguard. 91-89, time out, 58 seconds left.
Nothing is done yet, and Tony Parker continues his decisive actions: a good defense in isolation on LeBron James forcing a loss of ball and a pass in transition which offers two throws to Manu Ginobili. Two throws to kill the game.
The Argentinian misses one, but catches up on the next possession by taking the rebound before returning to the line, where he lets slip another point. 94-89, time out with less than 30 seconds remaining. The first Miami fans begin to leave the room in front of a half annoyed Pat Riley, the Larry O’Brien trophy makes its appearance at the edge of the field. A semblance of euphoria takes hold of the Spurs bench.
How could it be otherwise? Gregg Popovich’s commando is about to achieve a resounding feat and make its philosophy triumph between two formations with diametrically opposed styles of play.
Chris Bosh: “The basket that saves the season”
And yet, “El Manu” does not know it yet, but his new failed attempt has just completely revived the match. LeBron James must first take it twice to score from 3-pointers, and there it is Kawhi Leonard who misses a crucial throw, giving the Heat a final chance to equalize.
The sequel is now written in gold letters in the book of the most beautiful stories of the NBA Finals. After a missed try from LeBron James on the wing, Chris Bosh snatches a heroic rebound and serves Ray Allen. The latter shifts into the corner and shoots an arrow that hits the heart of the target to equalize at 95-95.
“LeBron took the shot, and since he was going to have some time left, I knew I had to go in the paint to try to get a rebound. At that point, you never know what can happen. When I saw Chris Bosh get the ball, I just backed up to the 3-point line. I was open, where I needed to be. I wasn’t even sure if I was in the right place, but after all these years of shooting practice, I found my spot.”confided Ray Allen.
The momentum has suddenly changed sides, and, from the bench, Tim Duncan watches helplessly as this historic shot has just reversed the course of this final.
“The basket that saves the season” declared Chris Bosh who did not believe so well to say after the match. Because on its way, Miami snatches victory 103-100 then Game 7 at home two days later.
Ray Allen: “Believe it or not, I work on these situations. In which I put my body in curious situations, from different places on the pitch, from different angles”
During his great career, Ray Allen, two-time NBA champion, ten-time All-Star, has been “clutched” countless times. But if only one shot had to be retained from all his work, it is undoubtedly this decisive action that would stand out. Beyond the context, this shot also rewards the ethics and the irreproachable work of the player.
“It’s a shot that I will remember for a long time”had continued the hero of this June 18, 2013. “You know, I’ve had a lot of important shots in my career but this one will be very high in the rankings. Because of the situation, in the last minute and when it wasn’t really going our way. But we never gave up throughout the year, in similar situations. To win a title, you need a little bit of luck, and on this occasion, the coin fell on the right side (…) Believe it or not, I work on these situations. In which I put my body in curious situations, from different places on the pitch, from different angles. I can honestly say that I gave myself a great opportunity to succeed. This movement was not foreign to me. When I put it on I was happy but at the same time I expected to put it on. »
Devastated by this disaster scenario, the Spurs were however able to mourn this setback the following season. Boris Diaw’s teammates then won 4-1 in the much more expeditious Finals.
