Still Searching

The Knicks remain without a backup center. Plus, Ray Marcano kicks off our annual Summer Friday series with a look at where OG Anunoby's tip ranks in NBA and NYC sports history.

Good morning!

We’re now into Day 4 of free agency and the Knicks remain without a backup center. A few options went off the board yesterday - Kenrich Williams is back in OKC and Marvin Bagley III inked a one-year deal with Denver - leaving the Knicks with Kevon Looney, Nick Richards and not much else on the free agent market. On the trade front, Chris Haynes reported that the Knicks have “tried feverishly” to trade for Yves Missi from New Orleans, but those offers have been rejected multiple times as the Pelicans “view Missi as a vital core figure.” The lady doth protest too much, methinks.

Oh, and for anyone wondering if the NBA’s all-time leading scorer might be on New York’s radar, Ian Begley shot down that notion before it could gain any real steam.

And now for my favorite time of year: the great Ray Marcano is back for his fifth (!!!) summer writing Friday pieces for the KFS Newsletter. For those who don’t know, Ray is long-time journalist who freelances for some of the country’s largest media brands and continues to be kind enough to grace us with his musings. The former national president of the Society of Professional Journalists, Ray is a a two-time Pulitzer juror, a Fulbright fellow, and two-time reigning best columnist in the state of Ohio (let’s hope the Knicks can follow a similar path to a repeat victory next June). If you like what you see here, you can read his primary publication on Substack, the Bourbon Resource, which is available for free and I cannot recommend strongly enough.

He starts off this summer with a banger…

Where Does OG’s Shot Rank?

by Ray Marcano

When OG Anunoby rose like a Phoenix and scored on a tip-in during Game 4 of the NBA finals, his shot immediately became the greatest in New York Knicks history.

It was better than two shots in the unlikely 1999 playoff run that until now were the best. Allan Houston’s last-second floater stunned Miami and won the first round of the playoffs. Larry Johnson’s four-point play against Indiana gave the Knicks a win against the Pacers in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals and helped propel the team to the NBA Finals (where they lost to San Antonio 4-1). Houston No. 1, Johnson No. 2, until the tip.

But where does OG’s shot rank in NBA and NYC sports playoff history?

I didn’t rank these because I figured it would make for a fun summer debate. Every instance listed is a game winner that led to a championship, just like OG’s did. You won’t find Jerry West’s 60-foot, game-tying shot in the 1970 playoffs (Lakers lost), or Gar Heard’s shot that forced a third overtime in Game 5 of the 1976 finals (Suns lost), great as those shots were. I was going to include Bobby Thompson’s Shot Heard 'Round the World in 1951 and Chris Chambliss’ 1976 home run, but the Giants and Yankees didn’t win the World Series in those respective years.

And before we get too far, this will never get old. I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve watched this:

So…which of these moments were better than OG’s?

NBA History

Ray Allen, Game 6, 2013 NBA Finals vs. San Antonio

The Spurs were seconds away from a title when they went up 95-92 with 19 seconds left. LeBron James missed a three with 11.7 seconds to go, Chris Bosh got the rebound and passed to Allen, who drilled an off-balance three pointer to send the game to overtime. Miami would win 103-100 and then take Game 7 for their second-straight crown. Talk about a dagger.

Michael Jordan, Game 6, 1998 NBA Finals vs. Utah.

Everyone remembers the shot. Jordan broke Bryon Russell’s ankles, rose up from the top of the key and scored the basket that led the Bulls to an 87-86 win and their third straight championship. People don’t remember Jordan dominated the last minute of that game, knocking down two free throws with 58 seconds left, beating Russell on a drive with 37 seconds left, stealing the ball from Karl Malone with 20 seconds left and then hitting the shot. All-time clutch.

Kyrie Irving, Game 7, 2016 NBA Finals vs. Golden State

With 54 seconds left and the game tied at 89, Irving out stepped (Stephed?) Curry, juking behind the arc and nailing a three to give the Cavs the lead and their only championship during an amazing run. The Cavs went to the finals four straight years, and the Warriors beat them three times.

Magic Johnson’s baby sky hook, Game 4, 1987 NBA Finals vs Boston

Fans, players and coaches knew what was coming because Magic loved that move where he would cut across the lane and float that little baby hook. They knew but couldn’t stop it, much like I know I can’t stop my wife’s ire after I’ve made a mess in the kitchen. With seven seconds left and the Lakers down 106-105, Magic swooped across the lane and made that hook from 12 feet, giving LA a 3-1 lead in a series they would go on to win in six games.

Bob Pettit’s Championship Tip-In, Game 6, 1958 NBA Finals vs Boston

No, I was not at this game, but I wish I had been because it’s the one play I could find that was OG-like. With 15 seconds left, Pettit crashed the glass and tipped in the ball to give the St. Louis Hawks a three-point cushion. Boston scored once more but it wasn’t enough. Pettit, who scored a then playoff record 50 points, led the Hawks to their only championship. There’s a lot of videos of Pettit scoring but not any that I could find of the tip.

NYC Sports History

Buckner

Here’s the thing about New York sports moments. There are some plays that are so iconic you simply need to say one name.

Buckner.

Don’t need more than that. With two outs in the 10^th and the Mets down 5-4, Mookie Wilson hit a soft ground ball to first that inexplicably went through the wickets of the normally sure handed Bill Bucker. Ray Knight raced home from first in disbelief. The Mets won the game and the World Series. The second-best thing about that play was Vin Scully’s call.

Boone

In the 11^th inning of Game 7 of the ALCS, he took Tim Wakefield deep to send the Yankees to the 2003 World Series, which they would lose in six games to the Marlins. I was watching the game in bed, talking to the copy desk about front page changes when Boone hit that bomb. I had the same reaction Jonathan and Andrew did when the Knicks won the championship. (I’ve also watched that more times than I can count.)

David Tyree’s helmet catch

With just over a minute left Eli Manning escaped the rush (he was nearly sacked), threw it downfield and found Tyree, who leapt and caught the ball one-handed against his helmet. The Giants, down to the New England Patriots 14-10 at the time, drove the field and won the Super Bowl in 2008, 17-14.

Matteau, Matteau, Matteau!

The goal was amazing just like the call from Howie Rose. Stephane Matteau’s double-overtime, wrap-around goal helped the New York Rangers to the Stanley Cup Finals, which they won in 1994. They haven’t won it since.

The Catch

If you haven’t seen the science behind this, you should. With the Indians and Giants tied 2-2 in Game 1 of the 1954 World Series, Willie May sprinted to dead center to make an unworldly over-the-shoulder catch. Larry Doby was at second base and likely could have scored if he tagged up. Instead, he had to hustle back because Mays had the presence of mind to wheel around and throw the ball back to second. The Indians didn’t score and the Giants won the game in the bottom of the 10^th, on their way to a sweep.

So, is OG number one overall or is there a play on this list (or one that you remember) that should rank higher?

Ray Marcano is a long-time journalist who writes for some of the country’s biggest brands and is an award-winning columnist.

🏀

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”