It often takes time to be able to reflect and gauge how important a single second within a season can be. In Kevin Durant’s case, and of course for Nets fans as well, his heroic shot at the end of regulation in Game 7 against the Bucks.
With the clock running down, there were six seconds left. Everyone in the building knew who the ball was going to. It was at this moment when Nets forward Jeff Green inbounded the ball to Durant. The 32-year-old dribbled his way through contact on PJ Tucker before turning around for a fadeaway jumper at the top of the key. Three … two … one: BANG! The shot was good, but was Durant behind the line? Unfortunately for the Nets, he wasn’t. His foot was an inch away from the shot being counted as a three.
Despite losing Kyrie Irving in Game 4 of that series. Despite James Harden grimacing in pain going up and down the court with a grade 2 hamstring sprain. The series could have been decided with this shot. Instead, the Brooklyn Nets must now wait until next season to suit up and do it all again.
And remember. The @Bucks were less than one inch away from going home on this @KDTrey5 shot in round 2. #NBAFinals #BucksIn6 #PHXvsMIL pic.twitter.com/v0fqGSCIBo
— Texas Cane (@TheTexasCane) July 21, 2021
Woke up this morning happy for loyal Bucks fans. They deserve it.
And Giannis and Jrue Holiday – better human beings than basketball player.But also can’t help but think back on Game 7 of the ECF and Kevin Durant’s “big ass foot.”
Game of inches.
An inch shaped legacies… pic.twitter.com/WraglhGqGK
— Tommy Beer (@TommyBeer) July 21, 2021
The 2019 Raptors were a Kawhi 4-bouncer away from (maybe) being eliminated in Round 2. The 2021 Bucks were a KD-toe-on-the-line away from being eliminated in Round 2. Game of inches.
— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) July 21, 2021
Sports are funny. If Durant’s toe is behind the line instead of on it, Giannis becomes a perennial playoff disappointment and Budenholzer might be fired. Now they’re champions.
— Jim Barnes (@JimBarnesLV) July 21, 2021
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