Mar 5, 2013; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Derek Fisher (6) handles the ball against Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) during the first half at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
For Lakers fans, the playoffs will be spent reminiscing as much as anything, given their lack of success in the playoffs recently (or in anything this year). For those looking upon fonder moments, then we have one of the best moments for you. On this date, 10 years ago, Derek Fisher buried the Spurs with the most famous shot of his career, and it all took just 0.4 seconds.
The Lakers and Spurs had many a heated battle in the early 2000s, but none ended more spectacularly than Game 5 of the 2004 Western Conference Semifinals. Following an incredible, falling away shot by Tim Duncan in Shaq’s face, the Lakers chances looked grim. The series, then tied at two games each, hinged on the ever-important Game 5. For the Spurs, it seemed like they’d taken advantage of the series as celebrations had already begun.
However, with a team that featured Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal, Karl Malone, and Gary Payton, none of them got the ball for the final shot. Instead, Fisher came to the ball, caught, turned, and fired, all in under half a second.
And in under half a second, he cemented himself in Lakers legacy.
We’ll choose not to divulge or rehash how the playoff run ended in 2004. Really, it didn’t happen. It ended with Fisher’s shot.