We’ve asked our stable of scribes to take one last look back at the 2011 playoffs.
What was the best and most compelling game of the 2011 playoffs?
Steve Aschburner: I’ll take Game 2 of the Finals. The Mavericks’ comeback from that 15-point hole was breathtaking, a tribute to their resolve and the beginning of the end for the Miami Heat. The Heat got way too defensive in denying that the fun LeBron James and Dwyane Wade had in front of the Dallas bench, with seven minutes left for the Mavs to fix things, sparked the comeback. Would it have been so hard to ‘fess up that they shouldn’t have done it, risking a wake-up call to Dallas? This game was decided when Dirk Nowitzki spun left on Chris Bosh and finished without any defensive help coming from LeBron James, a sign of things to come in the series.
Fran Blinebury: Another easy one. Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinal series: Thunder over Grizzlies 133-123 in triple overtime. Years from now, if we’re looking back at how OKC constructed a championship or three, this game will have been a huge building block, the night when Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook grew up. They trailed Memphis by 18 in the first half and still won. They blew a 10-point lead in the last 5 1/2 minutes of regulation time and still won. They watched Mike Conley drill a nerveless 3-pointer to force OT and still won. They saw Grevis Vasquez hit a ridiculous 3 to force the second OT and still won. The point is they never lost faith, they always kept working and they won. One of the all-time great playoff games I’ve seen in more than 30 years of covering the league.
Shaun Powell: Game 4, Oklahoma City vs. Memphis, a triple-overtime treat. A game that started Monday and ended Tuesday. A game that saw a handful of players make clutch shots and big plays. Mike Conley hits a three-pointer at the end of regulation to force OT, and when he fouls out, his replacement, Greivis Vasquez, forces another OT. Come to think of it, is this game still going on?
John Schuhmann: Game 2 of The Finals. But since I already used that in the first question, I’ll say Spurs-Grizzles Game 5. San Antonio scored seven points in the last 11 seconds of regulation, including that ridiculous shot from the corner by Manu Ginobili and an almost equally ridiculous buzzer-beater by Gary Neal, to extend their season.
Sekou Smith: The last game of the season often serves as the most compelling, but not always the best. We got the double whammy this year. All the pomp and circumstance surrounding the Heat since the Big 3 was formed came to an abrupt and somewhat stunning conclusion at the hands of the Mavericks. The only thing better would have been a Game 7 like the first six. Instead, we got a fabulous microcosm of the entire series in 48 wicked minutes. I’m still trying to process the entire postseason and where it ranks on my all-time list. I’m thinking top five, at least. This finish pushed it over the top.
for me it was game 4 of lakers vs mavs,Kobe was always the most hated player of all time in my book because of his arrogance and his unjustified presentation by the NBA as equal or better player then michael jordan.in this game all this hype exploded into kobe’s face and the look on his face in the press conference following the game was priceless.he was beaten and didn’t know what to say but everyone knew in this moment the truth – he is no jordan.
Jordan is a legend, but he also lost. Remember how the Magics beat the Bulls, only to get swept by the Rockets in the finals? Yeah yeah, he was rusty. Well, Kobe was injured and had surgery and probably not at the top of his game as well.
The Lakers got swept by the eventual champs, so not feeling so bad about it. Also, Pau was a no show, just like LBJ was…
But see…haters like you I have to say thank you to..because you’re Kobe’s fuel. You’re the reason he will come back stronger next year, and that’s why he’s great.
Lemme help out too…hey Kobe, you got swept…what? you know? it never left your mind ever since?..oh, ok, just reminding you…see you next year…
Unjustified criticism of Kobe there. The lack of help during that series was the reason they lost. No shooters, Pau went missing, Odom showed why he isn’t an all star despite all the hype and it showed how unathletic the Lakers have become.
OKC-Memphis series for sure!
My favorite game was the game where the Trailblazers were down 23 points and made that HUGE comeback, I was so excited and it’s easily my top 5 favorite games I’ve ever watched.
the most compelling game in the playoff is when the mavs sweep the defending champions lakers. that game 4 of the series is the ticket for the mavs to thier 1st championship ever.
Rondo dislocating his elbow and then coming back to lead the Celtics to victory with one arm…plus he DUNKED!!
Every series offered a compelling game that can easily be mentioned. Game 3 of the Eastern Conf. Semifinals was one of them. Rondo’s dislocated elbow and the Celtic’s numerous injuries did not deter them from an outstanding win over Miami. They proved to the league the true meaning of Celtic pride and why you can never count them out of championship contention. Just like in 2010 when NO ONE believed they would be in the Finals and took the Lakers to 7 games (which they were cheated out of the trophy), the Celtics will prove to be worthy competition for the East rising teams. The Celtics set the blueprint for what almost every Eastern team is trying to copy now. Selfless Hall of Famers striving to win for the better of the organization, not personal gain. The Lakers on the other hand played as if they were owed a 3-peat, which is why Game 4 of the Western Semi-Finals was the most compelling game out west. The signature end to Phil Jackson’s career was highlighted by the heartless play of Lakers who took achievement for granted. OKC’s win in that triple overtime game was the most entertaining game solely because the Grizzlies grind out ways to stay in the game even when odds are against them. Z-Bo shedded the unreliable bad boy image and led a ferocious charge against any opposition, even upsetting the top seed Spurs. Although OKC was more talented on paper, Grizzlies’ defense consistently exposed their shortcomings. Shoutouts to Hollins who should have been COACH OF THE YEAR! This was the one series where I did not care who the winner was. Both teams deserved success and I look forward to watching them next season.
WOW, the best game of the NBA playoffs, well how about Portland vs Dallas game 4. Brandon Roy single handled shoot lights out and crushes Dallas with that 4th quarter performance.
Memphis vs San Antonio game 2, the Spurs close out the game on a 7 points to win a thriller
Memphis vs San Antonio game 6, Memphis wins it’s 1st playoff seriers
Memphis vs OKC Nuff said “The best series of the 2011 Playoffs”
GUESS EVERY BODY FORGOT ABOUT MELO’S MONSTER 43 POINT AND 18 REBOUND GAME AGAINST
THE CELTICS. SIGNS OF THINGS TO COME FROM THE BEST ONE ON ONE PLAYER IN THE LEAGUE IN
MY OPINION NOW ALL WE NEED IS A CENTER THAT CAN SCORE 10-15 POINTS AND CAN BLOCK A FEW SHOTS
AND I STILL SAY IF WE WOULD HAVE PLAYED MIAMI WE COULD HAVE BEAT THEM, CAUSE THE MATCH UPS WERE CLEARLY IN OUR FAVOR.
That’s what i said before playoffs i will rather play miami than celtics but it’s wouldn’t do any good for Kincks either way cuz both billup and amare were injured but that melo game and rondo one arm games were the games for me in this playoffs.
@udi i am not kobe fan, in fact i hate him cuz he dropped amazing games on my Knicks and he is no jordan but he is as close as we can get to jordan. i’ve been watching NBA for 20+ years and i didn’t get to see greats players before 1989/90 play live (as in arena and live TV) so i can’t really tell about those players (such as big O, dr.J, also missed prime magic and bird) but as far as and as long as i’ve been watching i can’t see (or recall) anyone closer to jordan than kobe is. That Guy is really (really ) good. if jordan is 100, kobe is like 99. he is very close second and he is still playing. so if you got the best thing and you don’t have anything better ofc you have to compare with the second best thing. so it is not wrong to compare kobe with jordan. and don’t take cheap shot on great players man. jordan lost before too.
I gonna pick game 5 in the second round when lebron had a 10-0 run in the forth to beat boston.
Please snd to a miami organization….FORWARD TO PAT RILEY…….
Jodie Meeks in Philly,,,, dead eye shooter young talent…..
Raymond Felton in Denver….. GREAT PG,, good shooter,,,,
Samuel Dalembert in Sac… Great Rebounder,, Legit 7ftr…. has heart….great defender
Joel Pryzbilla in CHa… Great Fit,,, 7ftr… tuff…. banger…
Ryan Hollins in Cle…. 7ftr… plays abov rim.. tyson chandler ‘like.. coachable,, UCLA pedigree
Reggie williams in Golden ST… great shooter.. young talent
Acie Law. in Golden ST.. good PG… .reminds of damon stoudemire
SHANNON BROWN.in LA. good role player wit championship pedigree***
TERRANCE WILLIAMS. in NJ.. good role player very moldable,, use to full court uptempo game.. can guard fast guards …pitino pedigree…
Daquan COOK in OKC… great shooter,, use to MIA system… low contract.
Patty Mills.in Por… Great PG…. Olympic pedigee just ask USA team of ’08
Marcus Thornton in SAC… Great Combo guard…. great scorer/shooter..
Ronny Price in Utah… good PG good pg defender…
Nick Young in Wash,,, Great scorer,, good pg defender,, good size….