Dorian Finney-Smith's Salute: A Gesture of Respect and Resilience

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In the high-octane world of the NBA, where every move is magnified and every gesture dissected, players often display signature behaviors that carry deeper meanings. One of the most intriguing among them is Dorian Finney-Smith's salute after taking a charge. To some, it's just a reaction. To others, it’s a message. But to those who know the heart of the game, it’s a story waiting to be told. This article explores whether Finney-Smith’s now-famous salute is simply a celebratory habit, a tribute to someone meaningful, or a personal ritual fueled by his unique journey in the NBA. The Salute: A Symbolic Gesture What Fans Are Seeing When Dorian Finney-Smith plants himself in the paint, absorbs a hit, and falls to the hardwood, fans have come to expect what happens next—he gets up, taps his chest, and offers a quick salute. It’s not showboating. It’s not defiance. It’s something more grounded, personal, and consistent. Meaning Beyond the Moment The salute gesture is classicall...

Craziest NBA Buzzer-Beaters of All Time πŸ€πŸ”₯

 



Basketball is a game of thrill, drama, and unforgettable moments—and nothing is more electrifying than a buzzer-beater! Whether it’s a half-court heave, a game-winning fadeaway, or a clutch three-pointer, these shots have etched themselves into NBA history.

Here’s a look at some of the craziest NBA buzzer-beaters that left fans speechless and cemented players’ legacies.

πŸ€ 1. Michael Jordan’s “The Shot” (1989) – Bulls vs. Cavaliers

πŸ”₯ Moment: With just 3 seconds left, the Bulls were trailing the Cavaliers 99-100 in Game 5 of the first round. Jordan caught the inbound pass, took two dribbles, and hit a hanging jumper over Craig Ehlo at the buzzer to win the game 101-100.

πŸ† Impact:

  • Secured the series win for Chicago
  • One of Jordan’s most iconic playoff moments
  • Defined his clutch "killer instinct"

🎯 2. Damian Lillard’s “Logo Lillard” Shot (2019) – Blazers vs. Thunder

πŸ”₯ Moment: With the game tied in Game 5 of the 2019 Playoffs, Lillard pulled up from 37 feet away—just inside the logo—and drained a cold-blooded three-pointer over Paul George to eliminate the Thunder.

πŸ† Impact:

  • Sent OKC home in a stunning upset
  • Paul George later admitted it was a "bad shot"—but Lillard made it
  • Became one of the most famous deep threes in history

πŸ’₯ 3. Ray Allen’s Miracle Shot (2013) – Heat vs. Spurs

πŸ”₯ Moment: In Game 6 of the NBA Finals, the Heat were down 3 points with seconds left. Chris Bosh grabbed an offensive rebound and kicked it to Ray Allen, who backpedaled to the corner and hit a game-tying three at the buzzer.

πŸ† Impact:

  • Forced overtime, keeping Miami’s title hopes alive
  • Helped the Heat win Game 7 and the NBA Championship
  • One of the most clutch shots in Finals history

πŸš€ 4. Derek Fisher’s 0.4-Second Shot (2004) – Lakers vs. Spurs

πŸ”₯ Moment: With just 0.4 seconds left, the Lakers inbounded the ball to Derek Fisher, who spun and hit an impossible turnaround jumper over Manu GinΓ³bili. The Lakers stunned the Spurs and won 74-73.

πŸ† Impact:

  • One of the fastest game-winners in NBA history
  • Kept the Lakers' championship hopes alive
  • Fisher’s clutch gene was undeniable

🎯 5. LeBron James’ Falling Three (2018) – Cavs vs. Pacers

πŸ”₯ Moment: In Game 5 of the 2018 Playoffs, with the game tied at 95-95, LeBron caught the ball at the wing, took one dribble, and launched a one-legged running three-pointer at the buzzer. SWISH!

πŸ† Impact:

  • Gave the Cavs a 3-2 series lead
  • Proved LeBron’s clutch dominance
  • One of his most memorable postseason moments

πŸ€ 6. Kobe Bryant’s Double Buzzer-Beater (2006) – Lakers vs. Suns

πŸ”₯ Moment: In Game 4 of the 2006 Playoffs, Kobe Bryant first tied the game at the end of regulation with a clutch layup. Then, in overtime, he stole the ball, dribbled up the court, and hit a contested jumper at the buzzer to win the game!

πŸ† Impact:

  • Cemented Kobe’s clutch legacy
  • One of the greatest individual playoff performances
  • The crowd erupted in disbelief

⏳ 7. Steph Curry’s 38-Foot Winner (2016) – Warriors vs. Thunder

πŸ”₯ Moment: With the game tied at 118-118, Steph Curry dribbled past half-court, pulled up from way beyond the arc, and sank an outrageous 38-foot bomb at the buzzer!

πŸ† Impact:

  • Secured a 121-118 win for Golden State
  • Proved Curry’s limitless range
  • One of the most viral shots in NBA history

🎯 8. Vince Carter’s Fadeaway Winner (2001) – Raptors vs. Knicks

πŸ”₯ Moment: In a classic showdown, Vince Carter received an inbound pass with 2 seconds left, turned around, and hit a falling fadeaway jumper at the buzzer to stun the Knicks!

πŸ† Impact:

  • Showed Carter’s clutch scoring ability
  • Became one of the most famous shots in Raptors history
  • Cemented him as a go-to closer

⏳ 9. Kawhi Leonard’s Four-Bounce Shot (2019) – Raptors vs. 76ers

πŸ”₯ Moment: In Game 7 of the 2019 Eastern Semifinals, Leonard took a fadeaway jumper from the corner, and the ball bounced FOUR times before finally falling in, sending Toronto to the Conference Finals.

πŸ† Impact:

  • First Game 7 buzzer-beater in NBA history
  • Sent the Raptors on their way to an NBA Championship
  • The entire arena held its breath as the ball bounced

πŸ€ 10. Luka DončiΔ‡’s Step-Back Three (2020) – Mavericks vs. Clippers

πŸ”₯ Moment: In the 2020 NBA Playoffs, Luka DončiΔ‡ hit an incredible step-back three at the buzzer in overtime to defeat the Clippers 135-133.

πŸ† Impact:

  • Showed Luka’s superstar potential
  • One of the best playoff buzzer-beaters in years
  • Earned him the nickname “Luka Magic”

Final Thoughts πŸ†πŸ”₯

Buzzer-beaters are some of the greatest moments in NBA history, and these legendary shots will always be remembered. From Jordan’s clutch jumper to Lillard’s logo shot, these plays have defined careers and changed NBA history.

Which buzzer-beater is your favorite? Let us know! πŸ€πŸ’₯

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