Throwback Thursday: Jerry West’s 60-Foot Buzzer Beater In 1970 Finals

Corey Hansford
3 Min Read

Buzzer beaters are some of the most amazing, heart-wrenching shots in the NBA. When those clutch shots take place in the NBA Finals, when all the pressure is on and the bright lights are everywhere, it shows who the brightest stars in the world truly are.

When that shot comes from 60-feet away to send the game into overtime, the shot goes down in history as one of the most amazing moments in the history of the NBA.

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In Game 3 of the 1970 NBA Finals, the Lakers were tied with the New York Knicks. With three seconds left, Dave DuBusschere hit a clutch jumper to give the Knicks a two point lead, setting the stage for ‘Mr. Clutch.’

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKSy3uqudHk

This shot is one of the most iconic plays in NBA history. Everyone remembers the shot but many forget that, not only was this shot only a two pointer because the three-point line had yet to be invented, but the Lakers would go on to lose the game 111-108 in overtime as well.

This is one of the many moments that added to the legacy of the great Jerry West. The year before this, West became the first player to win NBA Finals MVP despite being on the losing team. Two years after this shot, West would help lead the Lakers to their first NBA Finals victory in the city of Los Angeles. He is literally ‘The Logo’ of the NBA.

Despite all of those accomplishments, it is this 60-foot shot that is remembered the most when we think of Jerry West on the basketball court. One of the greatest Lakers, one of the greatest players, and one of the greatest moments in NBA history sums up West and this amazing shot.

On this Throwback Thursday, Lakers Nation salutes Jerry West and the greatest shot ever in NBA Finals.

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Corey Hansford is the Senior Editor for Lakers Nation, as well as a contributor for Dodger Blue, Rams News Wire, and Raiders News Wire. He is a passionate follower of the Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Cowboys, Los Angeles Dodgers, Chelsea FC, and the UFC. He can usually be seen arguing the merits of Kobe Bryant or cursing the decisions of Jerry Jones. He is also a former producer and associate producer for Sirius XM Sports Radio on both the Fantasy Sports Channel and College Sports Nation. Proud graduate of Long Beach Poly High School and The Real HU, Howard University, with a degree in Broadcast Journalism. Follow him on all social media outlets at @TheeCoreyH.