Tonight is officially the last night of the 2012-13 NBA season. It has been quite a wild season with high-flying dunks and career highs for many superstars. While all eyes are on the San Antonio Spurs and Miami Heat, take a look back at the Top 5 moments from the regular season.
5. Kobe Bryant Tears Achilles and Still Takes 2 Free Throws
Maybe it is the Mamba blood running through his veins, but something makes Kobe Bryant just a little bit tougher than the rest of us. During a game against the Golden State Warriors, Bryant drove to the rim and his foot just looked like it gave out on him. He slipped to the ground and a foul was called on Harrison Barnes. Bryant got over to the sideline to let the Lakers’ trainer inspect the injury. Instead of going to the locker room, Bryant stayed on the court and took 2 free throws. After making both, Bryant walked back to the locker room on his own. It later was revealed that Bryant had ruptured his Achilles’ tendon. Bryant still hopes to be ready for the 2013-14 season opener.
4. Joe Johnson Crosses Up Paul Pierce
Paul Pierce is a hall of famer. Joe Johnson is a pretty good player, but not on Pierce’s level quite yet. When Brooklyn and Boston played each other, it was Johnson who showed up Pierce. While being guarded by Pierce, Johnson really took it to him and caused Pierce to fall over his own feet! Not many people have accomplished making a hall of famer look this silly!
3. The Miami Heat Go on a 27 Game Win Streak
The defending champions looked like they could not be stopped for part of the season and that is because they couldn’t be. Going on a historic win streak, the Heat were in such a groove together. The streak eventually ended when the Chicago Bulls played a very physical game winning 101-97. The streak included a 29 point game against the Knicks in which Lebron ended the game with a powerful dunk that reminded New York the Heat are still on top and a game winning shot by Lebron against the Orlando Magic. It was some of the basketball a team has ever played and was a true delight for any basketball fan to watch.
2. Steph Curry drops 54 point at Madison Square Garden
All the greats have left their marks on the biggest stage in sports. Steph Curry now joins an elite class of players who had career nights in New York City. Curry and the Warriors were set to play the New York Knicks when Curry caught serious fire. Curry went 18-28 from the field, hitting 11 3-point shots and making 7-7 free throws. In comparison, Knicks superstar Carmelo Anthony scored 35 points, only making 2-7 three point shots. It was a moment that showed the world the newest superstar in the league. Unfortunately, the Warriors still lost the game.
1. DeAndre Jordan Dunks All Over Brandon Knight
The dunk, but more importantly the stank face will live on in NBA history. Jordan, part of the Clippers ‘Lob City’ got the alley oop pass from Chris Paul and just put all he had into an extreme power dunk. Point guard Brandon Knight tried to play defense, but Jordan just left Knight on the ground. It took Knight a few seconds to get up, most likely out of embarrassment! To top it, Jordan took a foul shot and actually made it! Jordan always struggled with free throws, but after that dunk he had to make it. The dunk got the fans fired up and fellow power dunker Blake Griffin out of their seats, but seriously the stank face after makes this number one!
