As the 2013 NBA Finals between the Miami Heat and the San Antonio Spurs is going on, one can’t help but think about the implications this matchup could have on the social media world, and some of the greatness that may come out of the series. Because in 2013, it’s tough for fans to watch a game without using social media to express how they feel.
No doubt, social media has enhanced the way in which audiences view sports. And the NBA seems to play into the social world each year during the season, All-Star break, and the Finals. The NBA has recognized that if they give basketball fans the right tools to interact, they will convey that excitement to potential new fans, better than the NBA ever will by itself.
With a marquee rematch of a polished Lebron James vs. an older Tim Duncan, this series is set up to be one the best in recent years. The build up for this series is high since during the regular season 2 game series, both teams did not play with their best players. Expect interaction to be high, and don’t be surprised if the ‘tweets per second’ record is broken once again (similar to last year). There have already been a couple of great plays from Tony Parker and Lebron James!
However, what about some of those finals matchups in the past that did not have social media to enhance the experience? ESPN made note of some of the greatest NBA Finals moments with an amazing animation ad. Imagine how social media could have played a role in some of these iconic moments in NBA Finals history? Here are 5 moments in the NBA Finals history that could have been impacted even more with the use of social media.
5) Willis Reed inspires the Knicks to Victory
During the 1970 Finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and the New York Knicks, there were many great moments. It was a battle of big men between Willis Reed and Wilt Chamberlain as the series went back and forth. During the series, Jerry West made the infamous 60 ft buzzer beater to propel the Lakers to a game 3 win. However, the most memorable moment was when Willis Reed tore a muscle in his thigh in game 5, after the Knicks had a 3-2 advantage.
It seemed all hope was lost for the Knicks as Wilt Chamberlain went for 45 points and 27 rebounds, leading the Lakers to tie the series at 3-3. Reed was expected to miss the rest of the series, and the Knicks championship chances seemed to be gone. However, Reed surprised the crowd, and the team, when he decided to give what he could, and play in game 7. He did not have a statistical impact, but his first two baskets gave New York an emotional lift to beat the Lakers in game 7 and earn their first franchise NBA title.
Imagine how the social media reaction of this moment would be, especially for the die-hard Knicks fans that are passionate about the team. Reed would be considered a hero, and there would be a barrage of pictures and tweets about him. His social mention would go through the roof.
4) Magic Johnson’s “Junior Sky-Hook”
With the Los Angeles Lakers up 2-1 against the Boston Celtics in the 1987 Finals, Earvin “Magic” Johnson laid down one of the most infamous moves in NBA history. It was Game 4 in Boston, and the Celtics had a one point lead with seconds remaining in the game. The Celtics were expecting Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to get the ball to close out the game, but Magic put the game in his hands.
As the defense closed in on him, Johnson dribbled toward the lane and before they could collapse on him, threw up a running hook that nestled through the net to win the game. This shot delivered the final dagger to give the Lakers the momentum and eventually the series. Magic Johnson coined this move his “junior sky-hook,” taken from his teammate Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
This type of moment would have exploded on Twitter and Facebook. At the time, this was one of the greatest close out shots in the NBA, and to this day it remains a memorable moment. Today, think of the number of YouTube videos that would be made of others trying to replicate this move.
3) The Greatest NBA Game ever played
Game 5 of the 1976 Finals between the Phoenix Suns and the Boston Celtics was one of the most exciting moments in NBA history. The game went to three overtimes, the first Finals game ever to last that long, and had enough thrills, twists, and turns for a whole series.
The game went back and forth the whole time. At the end of the first overtime, Boston tried to call a timeout—which they didn’t have—but luckily (for the Celtics) the referee ignored it, instead of giving the Celtics a technical foul. The second overtime was epic, as the Celtics thought they had won the game on a John Havlicek shot at the end. Fans rushed the court in celebration for the Celtics. However, there was one second left on the clock, and Phoenix called a timeout, which was rewarded to them even though they had no timeouts left (sounds crazy, right).
The mishap resulted in a technical shot for the Celtics, but turned out to be a very good strategic move for the Suns, who knew they would get a technical called against them. The play was critical because at the time the rules gave Phoenix the same advantage that they would have with timeouts. Even though Boston received a free throw, it gave Phoenix the ball at mid court so that they can create a better shot. Because of that, Phoenix’s Gar Heard got a clean shot from the top of the key and sunk it to send the game to the third overtime, silencing the crowd after a rowdy moment.
Exhausted and without key players because of foul trouble, the third overtime was about unsung heroes. Little known Glenn McDonald of the Celtics played his first 5 minutes of the series during the overtime and came up huge with six pivotal points to propel the Celtics to a 128-126 win.
To this day, this is regarded as the “Greatest Game” in NBA history. The back and forth action had fans at the edge of their seats, rushing the court, and fighting referees. It was an emotional roller coaster, and had social media been around during the game, the fans at home would have a better understanding of the feeling at Boston Garden during the game. It would have been interesting to see some of the photos from fans storming the court, or their reaction to the drama because video is compelling. Not only that, it would have created opportunities for fans and players to give their perspective of the game, which was the first of its kind (Triple OT).
2) Magic Johnson plays all 5 positions in the close out game
In Magic Johnson’s rookie season in 1980, he took the NBA by storm, and helped lead his team to the NBA Finals against Dr. J and the Philadelphia 76ers. The series was tight in the beginning, and Dr. J delivered his infamous under the basket lay up to help the 76ers even the series at 2-2. However, the Lakers took a 3-2 advantage despite Kareem Abdul-Jabbar spraining his ankle in game 5.
The Lakers supposed best player, Abdul-Jabbar, was ruled out for game 6, and many thought so were the Lakers’ chances of winning the title. Magic Johnson told his teammates “Never fear, E.J. is here!” He went into game 6 starting at center in place of Abdul-Jabbar, and wound up playing all 5 positions over the course of the game. His dominance took hold of the game as he finished with 42 points, 15 rebounds, 7 assists, and 3 steals, ultimately leading the Lakers to his first of 5 titles.
Surely, there will never be another performance as remarkable and dominant as Magic’s in the 1980 finals, excelling at all 5 positions on the court. He became the only Rookie to win the NBA Finals MVP. Also, he joined three other players to win consecutive championships from college to the NBA. Magic Johnson, made a huge statement to the NBA as the game’s most unique and best player at the time.
The social media world would have marveled on how spectacular a player Magic Johnson was. Magic’s quote “Never fear E.J. is here” would have been plastered all over the place with images of him as a Superman figure. Like Lebron James today, he would be put on a pedestal. He could dominate at any position on the floor, so it was assumed that Magic could win a title every year. It would be interesting to see the social reaction of this performance in real-time.
1) Michael Jordan’s Flu Game and MJ’s last shot
Of course the NBA Finals can’t be mentioned without thinking, about the amazing moments from the great Michael Jordan. From winning a title after his father passed, to his miraculous performance in the 1997 flu game against the Utah Jazz, to his last shot as a Chicago Bull and sixth title against the Jazz in 1998, Michael Jordan was and is an icon.
In the flu game, an exhausted Michael Jordan recorded 38 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block. Whether or not he was poisoned before the game, the legend of that game lives on, and continues to grow like a folk tale. The social reaction would have been major, as fans witnessed the greatest player fight off a very strong infection to propel his team to victory.
Michael Jordan’s last shot is a lasting image in NBA history. It is framed in many homes as an example of greatness. If Twitter and Facebook had been around at the time, Michael Jordan would have been immortalized even more with mentions, photos, gifs, and videos. Without question, this would have been one of the most popular moments in sports social media history.
