OG Anunoby’s insane, game-winning tip-in in Game 4 of the NBA Finals went down just three months ago, but trust me, it’s still making waves! This isn’t just about a championship moment; it actually got folks thinking: what’s truly the greatest example of every single stat you see in an NBA box score?
The Rebound That Broke the Internet (and Our Brains)
Seriously, Anunoby’s play was legendary. It clinched a game, potentially altered a championship, and was probably the greatest play in New York Knicks history. At least, that’s what we were all asking! It easily ranks super high in NBA Finals history, but then the real question hit: where does it stack up among the greatest rebounds ever? Is there even a definitive “greatest” example for any stat?
Breaking Down the Box Score
So, the mission began: find the best example of every single notable stat. We’re talking traditional box score stuff: points, field goals, 3-pointers, free throws, offensive boards, defensive boards, assists, steals, blocks, turnovers, personal fouls. Obviously, fouls and turnovers are bad, so those got tossed. Minutes? That’s just time, not performance. The rebounding categories got combined because a big defensive board just means a big missed shot, so it’s all about the “rebound” itself. Scoring got cleaned up too: 2-pointers, 3-pointers, and free throws. That leaves seven core categories to nail down: 2-pointer, 3-pointer, free throw, assist, steal, rebound, and block.
Kawhi’s 2019 Shot Is Making a Case
How do you even pick the “best” of these? It’s all about a mix of historical significance and how utterly excellent the play itself was. A nasty pass in January? Forget about it. It’s gotta be May or June to really count. But you also can’t just pick a basic play because it happened in a big moment. If you could only remember one example for each stat in NBA history, which would it be? For the greatest 2-pointer, the call goes to Kawhi Leonard from the 2019 Eastern Conference semifinals.
Sure, Michael Jordan has given us iconic shots like his 1998 Finals winner or “the shot” against Cleveland in ’89. But the ’98 one? Some say it was a push-off and it was wide open. The ’89 one? First round. That’s why Kawhi’s play is getting the nod. What’s next for this debate? We’re still digging into the 3-pointers, free throws, assists, steals, rebounds, and blocks that truly stand above the rest. It’s a never-ending hoops conversation, and we are here for it.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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