Game 4 saw the biggest blown lead in NBA Finals history as the New York Knicks fought back from 29 points down to stun the San Antonio Spurs on an OG Anunoby tip-in with 1.2 seconds remaining. The shocking victory sent the basketball world into a frenzy and now has the Knicks on the brink of an NBA Championship while the Spurs try and recover from one of the most heartbreaking losses ever witnessed.
Ironically enough, the Spurs have somehow been on the losing end of multiple of the most gut-wrenching losses and prior to Game 4, the most infamous was perhaps Derek Fisher’s shot with 0.4 seconds remaining to lift the Los Angeles Lakers to a win in Game 5 of the second round in the 2004 playoffs. And Fisher understands the feeling that Anunoby and the Knicks felt in that moment.
“It’s one of those moments that you just kinda of, so many things had to go right for those moments to happen,” Fisher said in an appearance on Wake Up Barstool. “The good and bad part for Spurs fans is like they’re in all these moments because of how freaking good they’ve been. 30 years basically, since 1999. They’ve just been in so many big games and playoff series. They gotta take their lumps just like everybody else.
“Making a game-winner in the NBA is like, so rare. So to be able to always look back and feel like you did something to help the team win. I mean, the play last night from Anunoby is like, I just can’t even describe how crazy that play is. For him to run out as far out as where he ran from. To tip the ball and for it to go in that way. That’s tough man. I feel for Spurs fans in that regard, but that’s only because I’m not playing or coaching. Otherwise they can take it all day.”
As Fisher noted, the Spurs have somehow been on the wrong end of these moments as many would point to Game 6 of 2013 NBA Finals against the Miami Heat in which Ray Allen hit a 3-pointer with just five seconds remaining to force overtime. The Heat would go on to win that game and Game 7 as well, denying the Spurs a championship that season with a shot that, like Fisher’s in 2004, is regularly replayed as one of the greatest shots in NBA history.
Fisher made a career out of hitting clutch shots and the feeling of helping your team win on the absolute biggest stage possible is one that many don’t experience. So watching Anunoby come through for the Knicks in that unbelievable comeback surely brought back some great feelings.
Lakers not currently in the mix for Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo
The Lakers are hoping to find themselves back on that NBA Finals stage soon and one potential way to get closer to that level would be to trade for Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo this summer. But as it currently stands, the Lakers are not believed to be in the mix to acquire him.
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