2010 in the NBA was a year jam-packed with more drama than an episode of Jersey Shore. We witnessed the youngest scoring champion in league history, a finals series that went seven games, and the association’s best player (that’s right, I said it again!) switch teams to join forces with two other All-Stars. I’m sure everybody remembers that stuff quite clearly, so I’m not even going to bother yapping about it. What I will yap about is a variety of other NBA happenings from the year 2010 that may have slipped your mind. Without further ado, here are a bunch of my favorite under-the-rader moments from the past calendar year.
I’ll begin with one of the craziest individual performances I’ve ever seen. Nate Robinson chilled out in Mike D’Antoni’s dog house for a month, and when his number was finally called on the first day of 2010 against Atlanta, he was more than ready.
Watching someone score 41 points in an NBA game is always impressive. Watching a 5’9 dude do it off the pine in his first game back from collecting dust bunnies for a month? Absolutely un-freaking-believable.
Speaking of un-freaking-believable, how about a low-profile, veteran point guard with a previous career-high of 37 dropping 52 points?
…and that was only the second most shocking thing Andre Miller did last year…
I’m still trying to figure out where the hell that came from.
Continuing along with individual performances, how ’bout Goran Dragic’s 23-point fourth quarter in game three of the second round?
The Suns’ entire run last season was a big surprise… I’m pretty sure not even the biggest Phoenix homers had them making the Western Conference Finals… and I’m very sure no one had Goran Dragic dropping 23 in a quarter.
Dwyane Wade exploded for 46 in game four of last season’s first round. The Heat were severely overmatched in the series, but Dwyane was able to drag his team to this victory.
Let’s move on to some great finishes. This first one happened just a few days ago, but it has to be included.
That was crazy, but Tyreke and his heave don’t have sh!t on Sundiata Gaines, the D-Leaguer who hit a buzzer-beater to put Utah over LeBron and the Cavs in the first game of his 10-day contract.
And I’ve got to throw in the ending to my game of the year. Here’s Paul Pierce beating Amare and the Knicks, complete with Nate Robinson’s faceplant.
Those were some of the most epic finishes to games… here are some of my favorite finishes above the rim…
Yes, the Michael Beasley dunk only made the cut because of the ‘fro. That was easily my favorite fashion statement of the year. If you’re looking for Blake Griffin on Timofey Mozgov, don’t worry, it’s coming. The man who has turned the Clippers into my favorite team to watch since the ’07 Warriors gets his own section.
And just for fun…
Watch the whole thing…
“I just felt like… a beast!” …kills me every time. I wish the Celtics won that series simply so the whole Shrek and Donkey thing would’ve been more epic.
That’s all I’ve got. I’m sure I missed a ton of great material, especially in the bloopers section. I’ll try harder next time.
