Why I Love The NBA Playoffs

Look, I don't watch a ton of hoops. I'd like to sit here and regale you with analysis of the career the stats of John Stockton and Peja Stojakovic. I'd love to be able to to expound the merits of a high post defence. Hell I'd be thrilled if I knew what a triple double is.

But as far as basketball is concerned, I am relegated to the corporate box, a member of an out of town group of prospective clientele, being wined and dined by the host organization in hopes of creating some future partership. A casual observer randomly catching 3 point jump shots in between crus d'étés and sips of Michelob.

However in between said sips I have been privy to some pretty amazing hardwood endeavours. Some being:

1. Reggie Miller Sinking 40 3 pointers In 4 seconds. This is what drew me in way back in 19-90-whatever. My god how did he do it? How did the Pacers keep feeding him the ball? And how did he keep draining those 3's? And how did Patrick Ewing not crumple into a sack and break down in tears on the court? And how did Spike Lee not make a movie about Patrick Ewing not crumpling into a sack and breaking down into tears on the court? And;

2. How Did Larry Seem So Calm On The Bench? Etched into my brain forever. An insanely lunatic tight game, in which Reggie Miller somehow managed to garner the blessing of the Hoops Gods, and looking damn near deified himself, and what's coach Bird doing? Sitting on the bench looking beyond stoic, like it was Sunday afternoon lay up practice. I was losing my shit in my living room watching this nonsense and Larry's chewing gum!!!!????? With 0.000000004 seconds left!!!!?????? How?????!!!!!!!!!!

3. He's Been There Before. Some of my first b-ball memories were of watching him as a player face off against Magic and the Lakers during the '80's, watching from the hallowed cable TV in town at our cousin's house. See on the plains, we only got two channels that came in intermittently on rabbit ears, and a trip to town was like going to Disney World as we got to hang with our cousins and watch Knight Rider. Anyways I remember rooting for Larry and the lads when I happened to catch them, and they won quite often from what I remember. Larry always being the difference maker. And if we're going to talk about difference makers.

4. We Have To Save The Best For Last. And we all know that there are two letters which could sum as close to sporting dominance as there is. M. and J. Holy smokes where to begin? Having watched the majority of my NBA playoffs during the '90's, naturally I've seen a few Bulls games in my time. And to see Jordan do his thing like he did. In season's regular and post, was a thing of utter beauty and complete mastery. Whilst there are many top of the key take offs and fade away 3's, the great MJ memory that stands out the most for me is the Finals clinching shot in '98 that looks like it should have won a cinematography Oscar. What a way to go out. (... let's just never mind that cold cup of coffee with the Wizards)

And now to add the latest piece of late game tape to the Maniwaki All Time Greatest NBA Playoff Ender Enders...[roll tape please]...May we present...Derek Fisher of the Los Angeles Lakers Of Los Angeles...