(Note: My first NGS assignment is the post previous to this one)

For the last three years I have prayed for some combination of Dallas, Phoenix, and Sacramento to be in the Western Conference Finals. In my perfect world, they would be playing in The Finals for all the marbles. The reason is simple - they're fun to watch, and the NBA desperately needs teams like them.

Finally, I've gotten my wish, and I'm allowing everyone on the bandwagon.

Game 1 was an exciting 121-118 thriller won by the amazing Suns. The unreported story in this series, if not the entire postseason has to be the incredible job done by coach Mike D'Antoni. He's starting a so-called "3" in Shawn Marion at power forward, and 6-8 Boris Diaw, listed very generously at 220 pounds, as basically a point center. The Lakers tried to take advantage inside with 7-footer Kwame Brown and 6-10 Lamar Odom, with some success. The Clippers tried to work them over in the same manner with Chris Kaman (7') and Elton Brand (6-11), yet the Suns are still standing.

Every series you, Joe/Jane Fan are told, "You can't win with a fast break team!", "The Suns are too small!", "Steve Nash can't play defense!", "The playoffs are different - the Suns are too soft!" - in short, every week we're told by the so-called purists and pundits that the Suns are a gimmick that will fail.

58 wins should have told us otherwise. Coming back from 3-1 on the Lakers, and winning two Game Sevens should tell the world that win or lose, this team is special.

And while all of those same purists (Poor Charlie Rosen of Foxsports.com is probably guzzling Pepto-Bismo by the quart) are scrambling to hail the Dallas defense as their new key to victory (with some justification), it's worth noting that the Spurs were lit up for 100+ points in every Dallas win.

These two teams play up-tempo basketball. As former NBA star and current analyst Eddie Johnson said about the Suns, "Some teams run part-time, some teams run a lot of time - the Suns run ALL the time... They are committed to running. I love how people talk about how you can slow down a running team. A running team can't be stopped from running, if you want to push the tempo, you can if you want to..." Keep that in mind.

These two teams are special because they have two things in common:

1. They can put four to five players on the floor that can score at all times: Dallas is starting four players who can score and they bring Jerry Stackhouse and Keith Van Horn off the bench. The Suns have five starters who can score (and that’s with Amare and Kurt Thomas hurt!), plus James Jones and Eddie House can light it up on a given night.

By contrast, most NBA teams have two or three players who can create a shot for themselves. At most. The other players would be lucky to break double figures in an empty gym. No wonder defense rules.

Or perhaps it isn't the D after all. Boris "3D" Diaw couldn't get any burn on a horrible Atlanta team, but he comes to Phoenix and wins Sixth Man of the Year. Don't give all the credit to Nash. The Phoenix system highlights what he does well, and D'Antoni allows Diaw to operate inside as well. Check that game-winner in Game 1. Textbook upfake, drop step turnaround jumper. I've seen Diaw channel Kevin McHale and Hakeem Olajuwon all year.

Raja Bell set a career high in scoring and led the NBA in 3 pointers. Are you telling me that the desert air helped his shooting eye? Tim Thomas spent the first eight seasons of his career as a human heart donor. Is it a salary drive that has turned him into a valuable asset? Or maybe someone has found out what he does well?

2. Dallas and Phoenix have coaches that trust players on the offensive end: I forget the number of times that I've seen Dirk, Jason Terry, Nash or Raja Bell pull up and nail a transition three, sometimes with no one under the basket. But what is really telling is the number of times I've seen them MISS a three and D'Antoni simply nods. Dallas coach Avery Johnson preaches defense, but allows offensive freedom. It’s hard to picture a Mike Fratello not blowing a blood vessel in the same situation.

And maybe that’s why he’s home while the Suns and Mavs are playing.

Watching these teams (and Sacramento a couple of years ago) makes me wonder, why can’t more teams emulate them? I love Steve Nash and his game, but I really doubt that he’s the only point guard who can play this style. Off the top of my head, Chris Paul, J-Kidd, and Sam Cassell could probably pull it off (although Kidd’s horrific excuse for a jumper would require some adjustments). And we are always told what great athletes the NBA possesses right?

Consider that the average team in the 1960s thru the mid 1970s hoisted over 100 shots a game. Today’s teams put up about 85 per game – and that is an increase over the last few years. Hence, we are either to believe that the slower, less athletic players of the 1960s are better players than today, more reckless than today's players, or we need to look for different causes. Maybe it’s the shorts?

My gut feeling is that today's micro-managing coaches are the problem. Ego and a overriding desire to keep games close in the fourth period cause coaches to dictate every possession. Think about that. How many times do you see a team that doesn't have the coach calling 80% of the plays? Running requires a different mindset. And just like a passing coach in football has to accept that some series will be a three and out, a NBA coach that runs all the time must accept that will be some wasted possessions. Based on what I’ve seen, that’s asking a bit much of a Jeff Van Gundy or Larry Brown.

Finally, peer pressure is real. The so-called purists will have you believe that if you aren’t playing physical defense, you aren’t seeing and playing real basketball. Last I checked, all of those ‘real’ basketball teams San Antonio, Houston, Memphis, New Jersey – all of them are home watching Dallas and Phoenix.

Common sense seems to dictate that teams will get better shots if they attack quickly before the defense sets up. (Think of a football team running a no-huddle in the middle of the game.) The Suns and the Mavs believe in that. The Mavs feature a more diverse offense, which makes sense since Avery Johnson has Stackhouse's post-up game, and Dirk's improved inside game to lean on when running ops aren't there.

Prepare yourself for the contrast between the Heat and Pistons, and Suns and Mavs. No matter who wins the West, fans will be entertained by the matchup. If we get the Suns and Heat, I’m banking on Shaq needing an oxygen tank by halftime of Game 1. The Mavs run only slightly less, and one can only dream of the sight of Ben Wallace having to chase Boris Diaw or Dirk 30 feet from the basket. If Detroit comes out of the East, imagine their 7-man rotation running a track meet for 48 minutes.

The NBA is back. Hop on the bandwagon before you get left.

Thumbs Down to ABC

David Stern and ABC did fans and the league a disservice by putting so many great games on cable - not a single Suns-Clippers game was on free TV. Even in LA, Game Seven was the only game that was on free TV. Cleveland and Washington couldn’t be found on ABC at all. We all know that Game 7 of the Mavs and Spurs should have been viewed by a nationwide audience.  

The NBA wants to regrow an auidence that has been lost in the post-Jordan era. When are they going to understand that the game had gotten so boring that people went elsewhere? And that the teams that they have featured are part of the problem?

No sane person expects a blackout of San Antonio - not while Eva Longoria is kicking it with Tony Parker. But to absolutely NOT show the Clippers and Wizards on free TV was a horrible business decision.

"From this day on, I would like to be known as the Big Aristotle. Because it was Aristotle who said, `Excellence is not a singular act, but a habit. You are what you repeatedly do."

--Shaquille O'Neal, 2000

He’s been dubbed The Big Aristotle, The Diesel, MDE (Most Dominant Ever), and Superman – often by himself. Whatever the moniker, Shaquille O’Neal has always been larger than life, with matching expectations. The 2006 season features high expectations in Miami where The Big Aristotle has set up shop. Anything less than a NBA Finals appearance would be viewed as a major disappointment. The acquisition of former All-Stars Antoine Walker and Gary Payton, the trade for Jason Williams, and of course, the return of Pat Riley to the sidelines as a coach was in the pursuit of a championship this season.

If Miami manages to survive Detroit and the Western Conference winner to hoist the O’Brien trophy, it an early validation for Dwayne Wade at the top of the NBA’s vanguard. It would be sweet vindication for veterans such as Gary Payton and Alonzo Mourning. Over a decade, they have paid their dues, but could not get past the Jordan Bulls, Duncan Spurs, or O’Neal-led Laker squads. For Antoine Walker and Jason Williams, they can point to the ring as proof that they could indeed successfully modulate their allegedly ego-driven games to the team concept. Pat Riley can point to the 05-06 Heat as his championship won without Magic, Kareem, and Showtime.

But for Shaq, it’s a bit simpler. Whether he knows it or will even admit it, it is about his legacy.

Shaq is still the most compelling single person in the playoffs. Steve Nash has back to back MVPs, and the Suns may yet rewrite how to win a championship, but they have time on their side and it’s doubtful that they can pull it off without Amare Stoudmire.

Dirk Nowitzki is an MVP-in-waiting, but again, his team’s future is bright, and coach Avery Johnson is at least as compelling. No, Shaq is the reason why Pat Riley was willing to risk his reputation and conduct such as risky experiment. Shaq continues to be the one player in the league that conventional rules and measures may not apply to – not just for referees, but players as well. Yet even Shaq is subject to Higher Powers as well. Father Time; a.k.a. The Big Equalizer.

The MDE has a wonderful gift in his arsenal unseen since Muhammad Ali was in his prime: He can get away with the most arrogant of pronouncements; really, can anyone see (by way of example) Kobe Bryant getting away with calling himself Most Dominant Ever? I don’t care if he dropped his 81 on the Jordan and the ‘96 Bulls, Kobe would get hammered. Either because he is such a genuinely likeable guy – or maybe because the media is physically afraid of him – after getting his first title in 2000, Shaq has always had a layer of protection that makes Teflon look like Velcro. I’m old enough to remember Wilt Chamberlain, and suffice to say that if The Big Dipper (yes, the whole “The Big [insert nickname]” handle business predates Shaq) had gone out in five to the ’04 Pistons, Wilt would have to had left the country for a while.

Which is a shame, since Shaq truly stopped being The Big Aristotle about four years ago, when he became The Big Coney Island Roller Coaster. His weight went from 325 to well…Shaq admitted to 360 in his last season with Los Angeles, rumors had it going as high as 380. In any case, it was obvious to even the occasional fan that O’Neal had lost a discernable level of his quickness and agility that marked his game from Day One.

What would Aristotle have said?

The year 2000 was not only the best season of Shaquille O’Neal’s career; it was one of the great individual seasons in NBA history; [insert stats]. The Lakers won their first title since 1988, and Shaq and Kobe Bryant were the toasts of the town. Championships followed the next two seasons, and the word dynasty was starting to be used. Except cracks were developing on and off the court starting in the 2002 playoffs.

The 2002 postseason featured Tony Parker and Mike Bibby undressing the Lakers with the pick and roll. Parker was a rookie with a shaky jumper and no cred with the refs. Bibby and Chris Webber nearly screen-rolled the Lakers out of the postseason as The Big Way Too Big unwillingness to consistently extend himself on defense became apparent. NBA coaches couldn’t ignore the obvious evidence, and pretty soon, making Shaq work on defense – not by trying to score on him, but by forcing him to switch and extend his defense beyond the post – became an NBA staple. 

In 2003, Shaq declined to get off-season toe surgery, saying “I got hurt on company time; I’ll get it fixed on company time.” What would have Aristotle have said? He wound up missing the first 14 games of the season. Worse, the relationship between he and Kobe Bryant, which was shaky on their best days, was irreparably damaged.  2004 feature Shaq’s public demands for money with the infamous “Pay me my [bleeping] money.” At Laker owner Jerry Buss during a preseason game. The Lakers looked ragged during the regular season, as did Shaq as he missed 15 games due to injuries and had a career low scoring average. In retrospect, are we surprised? You are what you consistently do.

In the aftermath of the disastrous 2004 Finals, where a heavily favored Laker team was soundly beaten by the Pistons and which featured a total meltdown between Shaq and Kobe Bryant, Shaq essentially orchestrated his exit from La-La land. It was obvious to Shaq that Jerry Buss wasn’t going to pay him 30 million a year in an extension. It was obvious to Jerry Buss that Shaq, who had missed an average of 15 games a year for the previous three seasons, wasn’t going to be worth 30 million at the age of 35 or 36. Laker fans should have had no problem with the idea of a trade, but rather the shoddy execution. GM Mitch Kupchak, who basically panicked and traded Shaq with two years left on his contract, and got the cap-killing contracts of Lamar Odom and Brian Grant.

A New Beginning – Same Shaq?

Last season, O’Neal returning to Florida seemed to have the same impact on him that getting kicked out of Boston had for Roger Clemens. Shaq showed up Miami as a hero, his Shaq-flon intact, helped in no small part by Kobe Bryant’s incredible penchant for self-inflicted PR wounds, turning himself into The Most Hated Man in Basketball.

The Big SlimFast showed up for training camp weighing 325 – at least 35 pounds lighter the season before (his explanation was classic Shaq-speak: “Phil (Jackson) always wanted me strong, so I lifted and came in big.” Of course, no one seriously challenged his statement.). The result was predictable – Shaq finished runner up to Steve Nash as MVP, and played in 73 games, his highest total in four years. The Heat made the conference finals, and came within a D-Wade injury of making the Finals and getting the last word on Jerry Buss and Kobe Bryant.

This season, Shaq got the coach he wanted in Pat Riley, and the supporting cast he wanted. In return, he played in just 59 games, and set career lows in points and rebounds, while setting a career high in fouls per minute. While a career-low 30 minutes a game, he committed an Eric Dampier-like 3.9 fouls per game (highest total since his rookie year). The Heat beat the Bulls in their first round match-up, but was exposed as a team a step slow in the backcourt against the mercurial guards of the Bulls, who seemingly penetrated at will and attacked Shaq with impunity. The second round featured a surprisingly easy win over the Nets, which brings us to the present. Can Shaq did deep and provide a sustained level of brilliance at the age of 34 that will bring home his fourth ring? Does he have the hunger?

You’re Shaquille O’Neal, 34. You are certainly the best center of your era. Alas, in 2006, that’s a bit like having the most fuel-efficient Hummer; it’s not saying a heck of a lot. Greatness can only be measured against greatness. Wilt and Russell had each other, and on nights when they were bored with each other, there was Nate Thurmond (who was probably the third best defensive center ever), Wayne The Wall Embry, Willis Reed and Walt Bellamy. Kareem had to contend Wilt, Walton, Lanier, Unseld, Artis Gilmore, and Moses Malone, to name a few.

By contrast a young Shaq faced off with David Robinson, and an old Patrick Ewing, and Hakeem (who schooled him regularly). A prime Shaq had Tim Duncan, who prefers to masquerade as a power forward, and who else? Rik Smits? Vlade Divac? Dale Davis? How ironic that the older Shaq now gets challenged by Yao and Ben Wallace. Perhaps he’ll finally get the foil we fans have been waiting for. I don’t blame Shaq for having the misfortune of playing in the Dark Ages of  the Low Post, but he can be held to account for not taking full advantage of his dominance. But will Shaq first post up Father Time? How can and how will he stave off time?

The year is 1993: Reebok features a commercial. Shaq knocks on an extra-dimensional door. Bill Russell sternly peers through the peephole:

Russell: “You’re late

Shaq: “But I’m ready.”

(Shaq steps through, awaiting him are Wilt, Kareem, Russell and Walton. The implication is clear…)

Echoes of Wilt

Shaq is frequently and understandably compared to Wilt Chamberlain. Wilt is the only center who could physically match up with Shaq in terms of strength and agility. And at 34, Wilt returned from a major knee injury to help get the Lakers into the 1970 Finals. He then played another three years, leading the league in rebounding every year. The 1972 Lakers won 33 in a row and the title. He plated 43 minutes a game his final season.

Bill Russell: His final season came at age 34.He averaged 19 rebounds, 5 assists, made All-Defensive First Team and won a title.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: In 1982 he was only 34 and averaged 23.8ppg, 8.7 rebounds, 3 assists and nearly 3 blocks in 35 minutes a game. And he played another 7 seasons and won three titles after that.

The 34 year old Shaq played under 31 minutes, whined about the officiating this season, and in what should worry Miami fans, his backup center Alonzo Mourning has been the more consistent defender and a far better shot-blocker. 

By contrast, Shaq’s persistent complaints about the officiating, while sometimes justifiable, also remind me of a man who has not accepted that The Big Hourglass stops for no one. When quickness goes, brute force can not be your alternative, as the referees have made painfully clear. Much like many a great pitcher, Shaq will have to add more guile to compensate for diminished skills. Of course, it would help if Shaq starts conceding that the skills have diminished – if only to himself.

There is no doubting that Shaq is one of the five or six best centers ever. The question is does Shaq simply want to proclaim himself an MDE, or does he want to finish stating his case? Overall, the evidence is shaky. His conditioning over the years doesn’t indicate that he takes the regular season very seriously, and as most people of 30 will tell you, if you want to play, you have to pay.  Kareem, Wilt, Michael Jordan – the men at the pantheon Shaq envisions himself all paid that price.

Moreover, the window of opportunity is closing and O’Neal and the Heat. Besides Detroit, Cleveland, Washington, and New Jersey will all post stiff challenges to Miami in the near future. The recent rule changes and the success of the Mavericks and Suns over the last two years will inspire other teams to change to up-tempo offenses that will either require big men to run the court or seek the bench. Can and will Shaq adapt to the inevitable? That he is still respected, but no longer feared?

Besides a renewed off-season commitment, can Shaq adjust his game in the present?

Shaq, if legacies are not built after 30, they certainly acquire their substance. Consider the case of Kareem. Kareem’s career, featured six MVPs won before he was 31, yet how defined was he by the 1985 Finals? The Celtics won Game One in the infamous Memorial Day Massacre 148-115. Kareem was ripped by many as “old”, “uninspired”, and worse. The next day, he apologized to his teammates for his performance.

Ten days later, the 37-year old Abdul-Jabbar capped the historic six game vanquishing of the Celtics, with 29 points in the clincher at The Boston Garden and the Finals MVP. A 35 year old Wilt led the Lakers to the 69-13 mark in 1972 and the Lakers first NBA title in Los Angeles.

Shaq is clearly in decline, but history can be on his side. The Most Dominant Ever will have to morph into “The Big Transformation”.

For Miami’s sake, he has to. At this point, it’s all about his legacy.

Walt Frazier once said you make your name in the regular season; you make your fame in the playoffs. Greatness sustained in the regular season will make a player money and fame. Don’t confuse that fame with “Fame” with the capital ‘F’. That only comes from playoff brilliance and championships. And nowhere can you do more than in a Game Seven. You ball in a Game Seven, and one day, they’ll read your name in reverent tones from a scroll on a mountain.

If Willis Reed hobbles back on to the floor for a February 1970 game against Seattle, it’s appreciated by his teammates only.

But when Willis Reed limps onto center court at Madison Square Garden in Game 7, and the name Willis Reed is synonymous with courage. Two hours and an epic victory later, and few remember that he scored a mere four points (the first two baskets of the game), and was barely able to play the first half. The legend was made for a lifetime.

Game Seven pressure isn’t for everyone. Doug Christie admitted being overwhelmed by the moment. He went 2 for 13. The Kings lose. (Chris Webber took all the heat for some reason, but I digress.) Dennis Johnson once went oh-for-14 in a Game 7. He came back the next year to be Finals MVP, proving that redemption is possible, but never assured.

Game Seven just has that attraction. The finality of the game. The ultimate “must win” for both teams. None of this “it’s a must win” #### when a team is down 2-1 in the series. You win and move on – or capture the prize, or you lose and go home. The setup and build up is important. The eyes of the world focused on this stage, and that desire we have for heroes to rise up, and frankly we also live to see who will sink under the pressure. One game. For survival.

In what has already been an incredible playoff season, in less than four hours we’ll start not one, but two Game Sevens. Steve Nash, Sam Cassell, Tim Duncan, Tony Parker... who will enhance their cred, who will create a legend tonight?

In that vein, let’s look at the great moments of Game Sevens Past. The surprise may be in the names you will NOT see here. Magic’s 42 point, 15 rebound, 7 assist gem in 1980 vs. Philly? Sorry, it was a Game 6. Kareem’s 29 points in Boston Garden that finally ended the Celtic mojo on the Lakers? Ditto. Don’t look for Michael Jordan either. The Bulls never went to a Game 7 in the Finals, and his other Game Sevens, while nice, they don’t make the cut here. Sam Jones and Oscar Robinson had some games that came close in the 1960s, but they were in decisive best-of-five series. My personal tough omission was Bernard King’s one-man demolition of the Pistons in 1984, but again, it was in a 5-game series.

Tim Duncan last year? He made a nice run in the third period of Game 7 last year, but once you get past the spin control of the announcers, you realize that he was 10-27. Sorry, but Magnificent Seven ballers need no validation from the media. Their performance is gives them their cred and we, the fan, acknowledge and recognize.

One day, if they ever come up with a Game Seven Most Valuable Baller award, name it after Bill Russell. Why? Let me preface my remarks thusly: I love Wilt. I think he was the greatest center ever, and possibly the greatest player to ever lace up Chuck Taylors, Nikes, or whatever anti-gravity boots ballers will wear in 2106.

But Bill was 10-0 in Game 7. Read that again. Ten Game Sevens, the man never lost. Four times against Wilt's teams, he won by a combined total of nine points. Some of those involved luck (especially 1965 and 69), but 10-0 is hard to beat - or impeach.

Read on:

1970 Clyde and Willis – Even fans who weren’t born in 1970 know about the 1970 Knicks.  The Setup: Willis Reed went down with a thigh injury in Game 5, and the Knicks rallied for a miracle win. Game 6 featured Wilt Chamberlain (himself recently back from a major knee injury) putting up 45 and 27 ballboards in a blowout win.

The Inspiration: Just before game time, Willis got two injections that allowed him to walk on to the floor (wait a minute, isn’t that a performance enhancing drug?). Nothing written can do the ovation he received justice. Just watch the replay. And everyone was caught up in the moment, Knicks, their fans, and alas, the Lakers as well. Reed hits the first two shots of the game, and the rout was on. 63-39 Knicks at the half, they cruise to their first title 113-99. The Devastation: Many tend to forget those first two baskets were Reed’s only points of the game. As Walt Frazier put it, “Willis provided the inspiration, I provided the devastation.” 36 points and 19 assists. Think about that, 19 dimes in a game where you score 36. And at least four steals of his rival Jerry West. Willis got the MVP, but a second should have been made for Clyde.

1969 Finals: The Logo Falls Just Short – Six times, the Lakers played the Celtics in the 1960s for the title. Three times, it came to a Game Seven.

The Setup: The previous five times, Boston came out ahead. In every series, Boston had home court. But this time, the Lakers at 55-27 had home court over the 48-34 Celtics. Moreover, after having no real threat to Bill Russell in the middle, the Lakers had picked up Wilt Chamberlain from the Sixers. The Lakers were favored, and went up 2-0 in the series. Only a Sam Jones miracle basket at the buzzer to save the series for Boston. Meanwhile, Jerry West was a beast. The Logo goes off for 53 points and 10 assists in a Game 1 win, and had cracked 30 points in four of the first six games. For the first time in this rivalry, the Lakers would host Game Seven. Laker owner Jack Kent Cooke was so sure of victory, he ordered 10,000 balloons to be put into the rafters at the Forum, to be released when the Lakers finally won.

The Game:  West did his part, playing 46 minutes with a badly damaged hamstring and jammed finger. Mr. Clutch dropped 42, with 13 boards and 12 assists, his fourth game of at least 39 points in the series. However, this game is better remembered for:

·        - Jack Kent Cooke’s balloons in the Forum rafters.  The Celtics got wind of the plans, no doubt helped by a glance upward into the rafters where the balloons sat. Russell said, “It’s going to be fun watching them take those balloons down one at a time.” Suitably inspired, Boston jumped out to a 24-12 lead and maintained control throughout until a massive fourth quarter rally by the Lakers.

·        - Butch Van Breda Koff benching of Wilt for the final five minutes of the game. The Lakers had cut a 17 point deficit to 9 when Wilt (who outscored Russell 18-6, and outrebounded him 27-21 in five fewer minutes) limped off the floor with a leg injury. After a minute, he attempted to go back in, but was told to sit. The Lakers got within one, but no closer because of:

·        …Don Nelson’s shot clock buzzer-beater that hit the back iron went straight up and fell through to give the Celtics the breathing room they needed to win their 11^th title 94-92.   

   Footnote: Insult to Injury? As Finals MVP (the only one awarded to a player on the losing team), West won a car. It was green. To this day, West is still the only player on the losing team to win the MVP. The balloons? They were donated to a children’s hospital. Of special note to the bricklayers remaining in the playoffs: The Lakers shot 28 for 47 from the chairty stripe.

Hakeem Olaujuwon: 1994 Finals – 1994 marked the first time neither team broke 100 in any game. But there was a Game 7 of note. Hakeem cemented his status as the league’s premier player in the absence of Air Jordan.

The Game: Hakeem scored 25 points 10 boards, 7 assists and 4 blocks against his rival Patrick Ewing. As he did in Game 6, Hakeem came up with a big block and a rebound late in the game. Hakeem pulled down the MVP honors making him the first player in NBA history to win regular season and Finals MVP and Defensive Player Of The year in the same season.

Footnote: Shooting Blanks - No Knick fan can remember this series without remembering All-Star John Starks’ 2-18 stat line in Game 7. Nor should Pat Riley be forgotten for not going to a hotter – or less cold – shooter when it was obvious that the streak-shooting Starks was having an off game. I thank Knick fans for that whenever I see them.

1957: And The Rookies Shall Lead – I consider this one of the true hidden gems of the NBA. The 1957 Finals was one of the greatest playoff series ever. Really. Short-shorts, running hook shots, and set shots aside, Game 7 is arguably the best single NBA basketball game ever played. This game had it all: Seven Hall of Famers on the court (the Celtics started four, and brought Frank Ramsey off the bench), double overtime, last second baskets, and a Hail Mary that nearly pushed this classic to a third OT. The league should do everyone a favor and find the full tape of this game.

 The Setup: The St. Louis Hawks made the Finals thanks to a trade with Boston. The Celtics sent All-Star Ed Macauley and future All-Star Cliff Hagan to St. Louis for the draft rights to an offensively challenged stringbean named Bill Russell. The trade got St. Louis to the Finals four times in five years. The trade would get Boston a dynasty. Did I mention that Red Auerbach used to work for Hawks owner Ben Kerner? And that Red punched him in the mouth before Game 3? And you thought Mark Cuban was interesting.

The Game: Double digit lead changes? Try 38 lead changes. 28 ties. Last second shots? A last second shot by the Hawks Jack Coleman forced overtime. Then late free throws forced a second OT. Russell came up with 19 points, 32 boards and (unofficially) 12 blocks. Tom Heinsohn, who actually won Rookie of the Year that year, poured in 37 points and 23 ballboards before fouling out.

With the C’s up 125-123 and 2 seconds remaining, Hawks player-coach Alex Hannum checks himself into the game for the first time with a special play: Hannum inbounds the ball from under his defensive basket. He hasHall of Famer forward Bob Pettit to station himself at the foul line while Hannum launches a pass from the opposite baseline. “I’ll throw it off the backboard and rim, you crash the glass and tip it in” said Hannum. Pettit said years later, “We’re all wondering, Alex has a hard time hitting the rim from 15 feet; how in the heck is he going to do it from 94 feet?”

And guess what? Not only did Hannum flawlessly manage to get the ball off the backboard and the rim, Pettit got the rebound. And as Pettit tells it, “I should have made the shot, really. Alex’s pass was perfect, I just rushed it.” The last shot circled the rim and fell off, and the Celtics begin the Russell Era with an amazing 125-123 win.

Footnote - History goes to the Winners: The C’s needed every point from Russell and Heinsohn. The Celtics starting backcourt of Bob Cousy and Bill Sharman combined to go – brace yourself – 5 for 40 from the floor. Two Hall Of Fame and Top 50 players shoot 12.5% in a Game 7. With that type of bricklaying, we have an idea of where some of those rebounds came from. It also shows that when you win, all is forgiven.

Lakers and Celtics 1962: Oh So Close – The 1969 loss may have been the most painful one for Jerry West, Elgin Baylor and Co. to take. But the Lakers never came closer to ending the Celtics streak of eight straight championships than on April 18, 1962.

The Setup: The Celtics had designs on a mere four-pete in 1962, having won three straight already. The Lakers had come into their own with Jerry West (30.8) and Elgin Baylor (38.3) being the league’s most lethal 1-2 combo (Jordan and Pippen eat your heart out). The Lakers had the firepower, with Baylor’s 61 point explosion winning Game 5 at the Garden. But the Celtics had balance, and they had Russell. That proved to be the difference.

The Game:  A tense affair from wire to wire, the Celtics led by 6 at the half despite a 1 for 10 start for Sam Jones. The Lakers rallied to tie the game at 100 on consecutive baskets by Frank Selvy. After a Boston miss, the Lakers had a shot to win the title in regulation. West and Baylor were covered. The pass went to a wide-open Selvy who put up a 10 foot jumper from near the baseline, a shot he made 8 times out of 10. The shot skidded just off the rim, and into the loving arms of Russell. Overtime. Once there, the Celtics held off the Lakers 110-107. Sam Jones came back to score 27, but it was Russell who won it for the Celtics. The career 15.1 per game scorer went for 30 points with 40 -yes you read that right -forty rebounds!

Footnote - Byron Russell meet Elgin Baylor: For years, Baylor maintained he got shoved out of bounds just before he could tap in Selvy’s last shot. Several years after the game, he got a copy of the game film, and it showed Sam Jones shoving him right out perfect rebounding position, “Right into the referee. There was no foul call there either.” Jones later admitted his “crime”. If you get away with it, it’s legal, right?

1982: The Boston Strangler gets The Leprechaun. It was a familiar nightmare for Sixer fans. The Setup: In 1968 the Sixers blew a 3-1 lead to Boston, losing Game 7 in the Garden by 2 points. In 1981, the Celtics rallied from a 3-1 deficit to take down the Sixers, winning game 7 at “Da Gahden” 91-90.  In 1982, the Sixers again led 3-1. Again they lost the next two. Again they had to play a Game 7 in…you guessed it. Celtic fans, who could match Philly fans in sheer obnoxiousness, were primed. The Boston Garden was know to #### teams, players, and even referees whole in pressure situations. Being merely strong wasn’t enough to survive. The garden could only be conquered by the fearless. Enter Andrew Toney. Always a consistent and fearless scorer, Toney turned his game up several levels against the hated Green. Toney already had three games of 26 or more points in the series against the Celtics, many of them with his signature unorthodox but lethal jumper. Game Seven would immortalize Toney with his politically incorrect, but perfectly accurate moniker.

The Game: The Sixers led, the Celtics kept the pressure on. You kept waiting for the Celtics to break the Sixers. Boston Garden crazies, Bird, Parrish, Tiny…the C’s would make a run, but Dr. J (28 points), or Bobby Jones would have a big basket. Most of all, it was Andrew Toney, with no fear, with a game high 34 points (series average of 26.5) with repeated daggers to the heart of the Celtics and the Garden faithful. The breakage never came. The Sixers cut down the Celtics 120-106 in Game Seven, only the second time ever that the Celtics had ever lost a Game Seven in their house. And Andrew Toney forever became “The Boston Strangler”.

Footnote - Shockingly Classy Sendoff: In the closing moments, when it became obvious that the Curse of The Leprechaun was broken, the Boston crowd rose to their feet and paid tribute to the Sixers with a spontaneous “Beat LA!” chant.

1988: The Gunfight at The Garden – The Eastern Conference Semifinals featured the Boston Celtics at the end of their great run and the Atlanta Hawks, a powerful team in their own right. Alas, they had the misfortune of playing the same era – and conference - as the Celtics, Bulls, and Pistons. But in Game 7, the Hawks and their leader, Dominique Wilkins had their finest hour.

The Game: The game was close, but nothing special – well, by the criteria of this article. However, when the game was tied at 86 with about 10 minutes to go, something happened. A basket by Bird, an answering basket by Wilkins. After that, Nique and Larry Bird decided to strap ‘em on. As Kevin McHale said, "It was like two gunfighters waiting to blink. There was one stretch that was as pure a form of basketball as you're ever going to see." And it was. For the remainder of that game, you didn’t leave the TV, you turned down phone calls, although I made at least two screaming into the phone “You got to turn on the $%*&@ TV to the game! Nique’s goin’ OFF!”

But so was Bird, with 9 points in two minutes. But Wilkins answered again and again. In one sequence, Bird hit a jaw dropping jumper in traffic. Celtics up by 3. Wilkins promptly comes down and nails a deep three from the left wing. Game tied. Bird got the go-ahead basket with a little over 3 minutes, but the Celtics couldn’t shake the hawks. It was like match point between Andre and Sampras. Back and forth, and back and forth again. The game didn’t end until an intentional free throw miss by Nique was tipped away by Parish at the final horn. Celtics 118 Hawks 116. The Celtics didn't win - the Hawks simply ran out of time. Bird had 20 points in the fourth quarter on 9-10 shooting, and 34 total on 15-20 shooting. Wilkins was even better: 19-24 for 47 points. I’m no fan of the “noble in victory”, and as a Laker/Rockets fan, has always had a healthy dislike of the Celtics. Yet, no one I know who saw the game wanted it to end. Basketball in heaven would have duels like this every day.

1988: The Pistons are Not Worthy – Do you want to earn a nickname? Drop a Triple Double in a Game 7. There haven’t been many of them in the past. James Worthy, who lived in the shadow of his teammates for most of his career, had developed an interesting habit. Only once in his career did he not average more points and rebounds in the postseason than he did in the regular season. 1988 was a war between the Lakers and the rising dynasty that was the Detroit Pistons. The Pistons served notice with a 105-93 Game 1 victory.

A Game Five win put the Pistons up 3-2, but back in the Forum, the Lakers won Game 6 with 26 from Worthy, which was just enough to withstand Isiah Thomas’ epic 25 point third quarter despite a badly sprained ankle. All of this set up Game 7.

The Game: Big Game James fueled a third period rally (hitting their first 10 shots of the second half) to go up by as many as 15 in the fourth period. The Pistons got to within one, but could not close the deal. And even with the brilliance of Magic Johnson, it was Big Game James Worthy stage. 36 points, 16 rebounds, and 10 assists. A monster triple double, and it made the 88 Lakers the first repeat champs since the 1969 Celtics.

Footnote – The Lakers became the only team to win three seven game series in one playoffs, having beaten Dallas and Utah in the previous series before the Pistons.

Honorable Mentions:

1981 Western Semifinals - Calvin Murphy, the Rockets’ star 6^th man, was placed back into the starting lineup for Game 7 of the Western Semifinals. He went for 42 points as the Rockets upset the San Antonio Spurs on their way to the Finals that year.

1984 NBA Finals - Cedric Maxwell told his teammates before the game, "Get on back boys, and I'll carry you home." He did just that with 24 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists and 4 steals. Larry Bird might have been the Finals MVP, but there was no doubt that Maxwell was the Game 7 MVP. If I could add one more to my list, it would have been this performance.

1987 Eastern Conference Finals – The evil demons of the Boston Garden strike again. Vinnie Johnson and Adrian Dantley bumped heads in a loose ball collision in the fourth period. Neither man was 100% the rest of the way, and the Celtics exploited this to pull out a narrow win. It was Boston’s last conference championship.

2002 Western Conference Finals – Kings have a chance to win at the buzzer, but Peja Stojakovic air balls a long jumper. Kobe and Shaq hold off Kings in OT, as the badly outplayed Lakers somehow win the series.

1971 Eastern Conference Finals – Baltimore outguts the Knicks 93-91 in a classic seven game war, capped by a great Game Seven. Earl 'The Pearl' Monroe outscored Walt Frazier 26-13, and current commentator Fred “The Man With The Point” Carter hit what proved to be the winning basket.

Welcome back to the latest installment of the G-Report. A great Game 5 by an incredibly resilient Suns team, and the unexpected elimination of the Nets are causing more fluctuations than expected. The Mavs have the Spurs on the brink of elimination, and Mark Cuban is ready to breakdance. Remember my grading scale, 50 represents an average flow for the owner of the score. Latest score is the first one…

Miami

• Pat Riley (75, up from 65, Hold) –  This will be the most volatile stock on the G-Index. I mean Riles is still The Man Who Shanked Stan. In the first round the Heat looked slow and unable to defend in the backcourt. After a Game 1 beatdown by the Nets, the supporting cast of Miami stepped up. If Walker and Payton can deliver in the post-season, maybe Riley looks good with his moves. Maybe.
• Shaq (80/80, Buy alternating games, Sell the rest of the time) Capable of the 30 and 20 in clincher of Bulls series. Also too slow to stay out of foul trouble on a regular basis. Quick elimination of Nets gives The Big Baby Huey major rest.
• Antoine Walker (50/40/Buy) – Twon played two strong games in a row. Now can he match up against Rasheed and Tashawn over a seven game series? I doubt it. Yet make no mistake - if he can shot 45% and average 17-20 a game, the Heat may actually get to the Finals.
• Gary Payton (35/25, Sell) – GP is 37. Jason Kidd isn’t as quick as he once was, so I’m not sure if that was a fair test for The Isotoner. Rip Hamilton and Chauncey Billups? Now we’re talking…
• Alonzo Mourning (85/75, Buy!) – Despite getting posterized by Vince Carter, Zo is the defensive intimidator that Miami will need to win. Imagine. A guy with one kidney and on a 25 minute per night limit is a better post defender than Shaq. Shame on you Shaq.

Dallas Mavs

• Avery Johnson (100/90/BUY!) – My vote for Coach O’Da Year went to Mike D’Antoni. But I understand why Avery got the award. Moving Devin Harris into the lineup was genius. Mavs have too many offensive threats for Spurs to lock down, and they are closing games STRONG.
• Devin Harris (60/35/BUY) – People forget that this guy was a lottery pick, an outstanding player who was supposed to ultimately replace Steve Nash in Dallas. He’s finally stepped up on a national stage. You thought Tony Parker was the only hyper-quick guard in this series? Recognize…
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• Jerry Stackhouse (80/70/HOLD) – Even if he doesn’t score 20, he makes Coach Pop sweat who to assign  to Bruce Bowen. Manu Ginobili can’t guard Stack if Stack decides to get to the hole consistently.
• Eric Dampier (65/45/Buy) – He gets boards and puts a body on people. Eric D. may not be Shaq, but he’s no Shawn Bradley. Give the man props for playing tough defense at the end of Game 4 and forcing the miss from Duncan to get the game to OT.
• Dirk Diggler Nowikski (100/90/Buy) – Playing on a bad ankle, balling tough at crunch time, and going to the paint when needed. One more win, and those smart-alecks who are quick to hang the "soft” label can get gone and stay gone.

San Antonio

• Tony Parker (90/85/Buy) – T.P. is playing great offensive ball, but was he ready for Devin Harris? Uh, no. No shame dude. We weren't either.
• Manu Ginobili (70/80/Hold) – Manu, you can’t be on the bench at crunch time. Here’s an idea: If you are in deep foul trouble, concede the layup! Bounced back nicely in Game 5.
• Tim Duncan (110/100/Do you have to ask?) Spurs have wasted some great games in this series from Tim. Not handling officiating calls at the game very well. Can we blame him? Game 5 Update: Hit his first 12 shots. Responded like a champ. 
• Coach Pop (90/100/Buy) - The Spurs have been outgutted in consecutive games. They have not found an answer for Devin Harris. No one in their right mind will bury this team. I have to see a stake in the heart, in broad daylight, and a decapitation before I concede the demise of the champs. Yet in the Popavich Era, the Spurs have gone 1-7 in elimination games.
• NBA Refs (20/25/Sell) - I don't think they have it in for The Defending Champions. But the calls late have been a shade past awful.

New Jersey Nets

• Jason Kidd (85/85/Buy) – Still a fine point guard. But how he was selected to the first team all-NBA Defensive Team is beyond me.
• Microfracture Surgery (-10/0/SELL! GIVE IT AWAY!) Look at the evidence: Jason Kidd can't slow down D-Wade. Anthony Johnson hung 40 on him in Game 6 of the previous series. Amare misses most of the year for the Suns. Chris Webber can't defend ME anymore - and I'm 5'9" and can't go left. If I'm a pro athlete, if it comes down to microfracture surgery or amputation, I'm flipping a coin.
• Nenad Kristic (65/80/Hold) – Great first series, was not consistent against the Heat. Four turnovers, two boards in Game 5. I thought he was ready to break out against The Heat. My bad.
• Vince Carter (90/85/Buy!) – All too often forgot to take it to the hole against Miami. After wrecking the Heat in the regular season, got taken out of the game far too much in the postseason. has the physical gifts to be a lockdown defender, but isn't a good one. Work on it VC…
• Richard Jefferson (80/85/Hold) - RJ was not a factor when not in the open floor. Rich, by definition, you aren't complete as a player until you do.
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• Lawrence Frank (70/80/Sell) – Sorry, but Lawrence, explain to me why Vince or Richard Jefferson wasn’t guarding D-Wade? Instead it's a gimpy Jason Kidd? What in the heck was Frank thinking about? Not enough pick and roll on Shaq either. The old master, Pat Riley schooled the kid.