That really just happened.
30 years ago, I watched Reggie Miller score 8 points and 9 seconds against the New York Knicks, who choked the game and the playoffs series.
Today I watched Aaron Nesmith, a little-known shooting forward, make five 3-pointers in two minutes to bring the Pacers back from being 14 down against the Knicks at Madison Square Garden. The same place Miller beat the odds 30 years ago. This time, to cap it off, Tyrese Halliburton at the buzzer shot a miraculous fade away that bounced straight up off the rim, hung in the air for five seconds- higher than the shot clock- then was gracefully guided back through the net by what seemed like the same higher power that guided the ball in that game 30 years ago, igniting one of the greatest rivalries in sports. These are two of the greatest moments in NBA history, happening in roughly the same circumstances 30 years apart. What made it extra special tonight was that Reggie Miller was calling the game for TNT in their last official series broadcast, though it is only game one. Halliburton made the same choke sign to the fans that Reggie made 30 years ago when the Knicks choked a different game. Unknown to Halliburton, his foot was on the 3-point line, sending the game to overtime. But the Pacers still pulled it off.
I love the Knicks, but I don't care that they choked right now. That was something special to watch, a total deja vu replay of history. When Halliburton hit that shot, I went berserk, yelling "Did you see that!" to my son. God I love this game.
What a magically fitting way to end things on Inside the NBA. The show was hilarious as usual; everyone was in perfect form. I really hope to see the team back next year. It is the best show in sports and even one of the best TV shows overall in history.
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