Posted on 06/01/2018 9:23:24 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
Fans in Cleveland probably will need awhile to get over the Cavaliers’ overtime loss to the Golden State Warriors in Game 1 of the NBA Finals — in particular, JR Smith’s blunder in the final seconds of regulation that cost the team a chance to win.
And they’re not alone. There are plenty of other fans from other sports towns (or in one case, an entire country) who have felt the same way after some athlete’s boneheaded play at a critical point in a huge game.
Here’s a sampling, starting with Smith’s woeful tale (sorry, Cavs fans).
With the score tied and 4.7 seconds remaining in regulation, Smith pulled in an offensive rebound under the basket. But instead of taking a shot or dishing the ball out to a wide-open LeBron James, Smith opted to run out the clock. Most assume that Smith thought the Cavaliers had the lead, although he said after the game he knew the score was tied but thought Cleveland was going to call a timeout. The Warriors would go on to win in overtime 124-114.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
With his team trailing by two late in the fourth quarter of the 1993 NCAA championship game, Michigan’s Chris Webber found himself trapped with the ball in the left corner on North Carolina’s end of the court. There were still 11 seconds left, so Webber called a timeout. The problem: Michigan didn’t have any timeouts left. Webber was called for a technical foul, and the Tar Heels’ Donald Williams made both free throws. North Carolina went on to claim the national title with a 77-71 victory.
Cavs got royally screwed and reversing the call on the charge was complete bs!
ALSO: The NBA says that the refs missed a lane violation by Green on Hill’s second free throw with 4 seconds left in regulation! Hill should have been awarded a second chance at the second free throw!!
The refs *ucked up one of the greatest games ever!
Some of those refs called a terrible game in their previous outing as well. I thought they did a poor job, and that’s being kind!!!!
“With the score tied and 4.7 seconds remaining in regulation, Smith pulled in an offensive rebound under the basket. But instead of taking a shot or dishing the ball out to a wide-open LeBron James, Smith opted to run out the clock. Most assume that Smith thought the Cavaliers had the lead, although he said after the game he knew the score was tied but thought Cleveland was going to call a timeout. The Warriors would go on to win in overtime 124-114.”
Game 6 of the 2011 World Series.
The Rangers led until the 9h winning when the Cardinals tied it up in the bottom of the 9th with 2 outs and 2 strikes.
In the 10th inning Josh Hamilton who had a fantastic season hit a 2 run homer. In the bottom of the 10th with 2 outs Nelson Cruz somehow managed to misplay a fly ball to right field and the Cardinals tied it up again and went on to win game 6 in the 11th inning on a walk off homerun and win game 7.
The fly ball to Cruz wasn’t an easy popup,but he should of caught it.
Hamilton’s career went downhill from there and although Cruz was later suspended for PED use he is still in the big leagues.
“he knew the score was tied but thought Cleveland was going to call a timeout.”
Why in heck would he assume they would call a timeout? Surely they and the coach discussed the situation prior.
1984 NBA Finals, Game 2. Late in the 4th quarter, the Lakers have a 2 point lead, 113-111. The Celtics Kevin McHale is fouled, giving him 2 free throws. The Laker’s head coach Pat Riley, assuming McHale will make both free throws, and tells Magic Johnson to call time out after the free throws. McHale missed both, and Magic calls time out. The Lakers come out of the time out, and end up throwing the ball around in the back court, which gets intercepted by Celtic Gerald Henderson, who lays the ball up, tying the game 113-113. The Lakers call another time out, and set up what they hope will be the game winning play. Magic ends up with the ball with :10 left on the clock, and he loses track of the time, dribbling out the clock. The Lakers lost the game in OT, and instead of leaving Boston with a 2-0 lead, they go back to LA tied 1-1, and end up losing the series 4-3.
There was a French golfer who took a 7 or 8 on the last hole of the British open to lose.
Jean Van de Velde. 1999. Triple bogey 7. Most agonizing and ridiculous defeat I ever watched live (on TV).
That’s the one. I think that triple bogey ranks up there with any of these.
Seems I remember Greg Norman went brain dead at Augusta in the final round against Nick Faldo some years ago. I remember watching that and feeling embarrassed for him.
Havlicek stole the ball!
The game AFL playoffs 1962 Dallas Texans vs Houston Oilers Dallas Chose to kick during overtime, also chose the wrong direction on a very windy day. Two overtime periods and the Texas went on to win the game. Yeah! Dallas!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfXFuWFEwog
https://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/16/sports/football/in-1962-championship-spectacle-put-the-afl-in-the-game.html
This was game one...and it’s being compared to Championship ending plays? Get a life!
This wouldn’t be a media hype if the free throw was made.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.