When we watch the NBA Finals, we are all used to seeing the biggest superstars take and make the biggest shots and provide the biggest highlights that will live on in history.
Names like Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Kobe Bryant live on in NBA folklore with their heroic exploits in the NBA Finals.
But, as we saw with OG Anunoby of the New York Knicks on Wednesday night, the biggest moment doesn’t always come from the leading actor. Sometimes, it’s the supporting actor who becomes the hero of the night.
Anunoby, the former Jefferson City High standout, became a Madison Square Garden legend with his dramatic last-second tip-in, giving the Knicks a 107-106 victory over the San Antonio Spurs in Game 4 of the Finals.
Anunoby’s game-winning tip-in made me think of some of the other last-second heroics provided by supporting actors in NBA Finals history. Here are five.
Ray Allen (Miami Heat): Allen was a star player for much of his career with Seattle, Milwaukee and Boston. By the time, he joined the Heat in 2013, he was in his 17th season and was looked upon as a key veteran off the bench. Allen’s 3-pointer from the corner in Game 6 of the 2013 Finals against the Spurs was one of the most iconic shots in the history of the Finals. Allen’s dramatic shot sent Game 6 into the overtime, which the Heat won. The Heat went on to win Game 7 and repeat as world champions.
Steve Kerr (Chicago Bulls): With Game 6 of the NBA Finals tied at 86-86, Kerr stepped up and hit a mid-range jumper with five seconds left to break the tie, giving the Bulls the win over the Utah Jazz and their fifth championship. When John Stockton of the Jazz went to double Bulls star Michael Jordan, Kerr slid into the spot vacated by Stockton and Jordan hit him in stride with a pass, which led to his game-winning jumper.
Vinnie Johnson (Detroit Pistons): Johnson was one of the top sixth men in the game during his run with the Pistons. He earned the nickname “The Microwave” for his ability to provide instant offense off the bench. He had his one shining moment during Game 5 of the 1990 Finals against Portland. With the score tied 90-90 in the closing seconds, Johnson took a pass from Isiah Thomas and buried a 15-footer off the dribble to give the Pistons a 92-90 victory and their second consecutive NBA title.
Don Nelson (Boston Celtics): The Celtics’ championship dynasty of the 1960’s ended with a victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1969 Finals. The older, veteran Celtics team was supposed to lose to the Lakers, who had traded for Wilt Chamberlain to join Jerry West and Elgin Baylor. In the closing minutes with the Celtics clinging to a 103-102 lead, Nelson caught the ball at the free throw line and released a jumper. The ball hit the back of the rim, bounced straight up in the air, and dropped straight down into the net. Nelson’s bucket clinched the world title and gave the Lakers another heartbreaking loss in the Finals.
John Paxson/Horace Grant (Chicago Bulls): The Bulls defeated the Phoenix Suns 99-98 in Game 6 of the 1993 Finals to clinch their first three-peat world title. Guard John Paxson provided the offensive heroics, making the 3-pointer with five seconds left to give the Bulls the lead. The defense was provided by forward Horace Grant, who blocked a potential game-winning shot by Kevin Johnson to preserve the victory and the Bulls’ third world championship.