[Examiner] Remembering the 1995 NBA Finals: Game one

easily one of the best games in nba finals history.

 

Anderson must have been on suicide watch after that game/series. I actually lived up in DC back then but remember watching the highlights or something. I'm not sure if they used the term back then but "epic fail" would have been a fitting description.

 

this game is when i found out i had special powers to make people miss freethrows by making faces at the tv

 

"Never under estimate the heart of a CHAMPION"

 

what made that win extra special was the fact that the Rockets always had a terrible time winning in Orlando during the season in years prior. The Magic had always dominated the Rockets in Orlando and Game 1 looked to be no different when Orlando was up 57-37 in the 2nd quarter, then the Rockets closed to only trail by 11 at halftime.

 

The Rockets are the most battle tested team, they had faced eliminations, labeled choke city, etc, so what's an 11 pt lead at half?

That team was awesome, you know if you left any of our role players open, they'll burn you.

 

My favorite stat from the 1995 Magic, other than 4 - 0 (the sweep) and 0 - 4 (Nick Anderson at the free throw line in the closing seconds):

The Magic lost 2 times at home in the regular season, they were almost unbeatable (39 - 2). They lost 2 times at home in the first 3 rounds of the playoffs, against the Jordan Bulls, the Reggie Pacers, and the Celtics (7 - 2). And they lost twice against the Rockets in their only home games of the Finals (0 - 2). The Rockets swept one of the best home teams in NBA history, with that team having home court advantage.

 

I remember in Game 2, Sam Cassell was taking Penny Hurtalways to school.

 

31 points in game 2! And the thing is, he called his shot. He told Kenny Smith that it was his turn to match Kenny's big game 1, and then he backed it up.

 

Nice memories of Game 1
I was like 14 on my junior high class trip to Ottawa, Canada and we were all watching it in the living room of the residence we were staying at. Most people didn't care, but me and another classmate were definitely going for Houston.
When the Dream made that tip in, we jumped out of our seats with joy. Great game

 

that win broke up a dynasty in the making. well that and penny getting the injury bug. penny was no kobe in competiveness, but he would show up in some big games.

 

I loved when Kenny Smith was a hero. Totally maligned, great leader, terrific playmaker. And he went absolutely bananas in that game.

 

It was great when Kenny Smith demonstrated "the shot" on TNT last week. Same arena, same spot. Duck under, and swish. He's still got it!

That game was amazing. so many memorable moments:

-Kenny's 7 three pointers
-Nick Anderson's 4 missed free throws
-Kenny's duck-under three pointer
-Hakeem's backhanded tip-in

I'll never forget the look on Hakeem's face after he tipped in Clyde's miss for the win. At first he had a blank look because he thought it was after the buzzer. Then, slowly, a little grin creeps across his face as he raises his arms and starts to hop down the floor.

That game decided the series, no question about it.

 

How's Hakeem still considered a "future hall of famer?"

 

Think they meant he was a future hall of famer back then.

 

Giving love to the game one hero. Nick "The Brick"
I have lived in Houston all my life and was glad to see someone else on the wrong side of a choke job

 

No kidding, esp. in such an improblable way.

 

Hakeem's tip-in of Clyde's finger roll was so poetic.

The two former collegiate teammates who came only a tip-in away from an NCAA championship some 12 years prior finally got redemption in that moment... assisting each other, no less.

That game sealed the series. Ask anyone who saw it. The Magic were DONE after that. They looked like someone ran over their puppy. The Rockets looked like the team god himself had ordained champions.