The Miraculous Shot

By: Adamo Marinelli

May 13th, 2019

    It was indeed a magical night yesterday at the Scotia Bank arena in Toronto, Ontario. After Philadelphia 76ers’ shooting guard Jimmy Butler tied the game 90-90 late in the fourth quarter, Toronto Raptors head coach Nick Nurse wisely called a timeout with 4.2 seconds to play. On the ensuing inbound, Marc Gasol found Kawhi Leonard running the floor and fed him the ball. Leonard ran past two defenders, Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons, and set up in the corner before shooting over the outstretched arms of Joel Embiid as the buzzer sounded. After being suspended in the air for about five seconds and hitting the rim four times, the ball finally went in the hoop.

    After that, madness ensued. There was ratcherous joy in the faces of Raptors fans in Toronto and all over the world. Even Kawhi, who is normally as cool as a cucumber, screamed very loudly after the shot went in. He said: “I’m a guy that acts like I’ve been there before… So probably the last time you saw me scream was when we won,” a reference to when the San Antonio Spurs won the NBA championship in 2014. He continued by saying: “Whenever it’s a moment where I haven’t really experienced, I’ll probably try to show some emotion… Tonight was one of those nights.” That clearly explains the extremely enthusiastic scream.

    It is also very fascinating how history turns the tables with the passage of time. In 2001, the Toronto Raptors lost to the Philadelphia 76ers in seven games after a Vince Carter’s shot to tie the game missed at the buzzer. 18 years later, it is the Raptors and Kawhi Leonard who got the last laugh and the lucky bounce to shock the 76ers and win a thrilling game seven by a score of 92-90. That shot will be remembered forever in Toronto.

    Additionally, Kawhi’s famous shot - that was heard and seen all over the world - is the first game seven buzzer beater in NBA history. Michael Jordan’s buzzer beater in a winner take all game five in 1989 was before the NBA had expanded to best of seven series for all series in the playoffs.

    Another funny tidbit of information. Drake was not courtside, however, while watching the game at home, he wore a pair of 76ers shorts. The Drake Curse continues. Buy this man a Milwaukee Bucks jersey too now.

    Kawhi’s shot was legendary. However, it wasn’t just a shot. It is a moment, a memory that will last forever in the hearts of all Raptors fans. It helped the Raptors advance to just their second Eastern Conference Finals in franchise history. If the Raptors go on to win the NBA Championship, this shot will mean even more than it does right now!

    But most importantly, that shot by Kawhi at the buzzer; it may be the reason he stays with the Raptors this offseason. If the Raptors can keep Kawhi, they might be the next dynasty of the NBA, at least in the Eastern Conference. And to all those who think the Milwaukee Bucks are better than the Raptors, the winner of the Eastern Conference Finals series will determine what team reigns superior.