Well, I promised that I would post about the second worst sports game of my life, so here it is. This is actually three games wrapped into one; for all three are equally as bad and hurt the same. Also, you can’t really mention one game without talking about the others, so why not just lump them into one big game. I won’t go too much into detail and specifics, nor write with the same intensity as my number one worst sports game (Game 6 of the 2002 World Series), and in hind sight, should have probably just left the original topic as one, but since I mentioned two, I feel obligated to meet that requirement. I know that this won’t be nearly as well-written, but I’ll give it my best shot. Hopefully, this too will bring back painful, or maybe joyous, memories for you.
In 2002, the Sacramento Kings were arguably the best team in the NBA. Finishing with a regular season record of 61 – 21, the Kings were the #1 seed in the Western Conference playoffs. After easily beating the Utah Jazz in 4 games, the Kings met their first real challenge of the playoffs when they squared off against the Dallas Mavericks. Each game was hard fought, but too much surprise, the Kings were able to move pass the Mavericks in 5 games. Unexpectedly easy, but also a fortunate occurrence, as in the next round, they would be facing their arch nemesis in the Los Angeles Lakers. Thought of as the “true” NBA Finals, experts predicted every game to be highly fought after and many strenuous battles on the court, with both teams leaving nothing behind. Tempers would flare, as a true hatred between these two teams developed during the past few years. This would definitely go down as one of the most contentious playoff series in NBA history. And many would be left heart-broken, including this blogger. Here is a my number two worst sports game (games) of my life.
Game 2 – Games 4, 6, and 7 of the 2002 NBA Western Conference Finals, Sacramento Kings v. Los Angeles Lakers. Game 4, Kings lose 100–99; Game 6, Kings lose 106–102; and Game 7, Kings lose 112–106.
This was suppose to be our year. We finally had the pieces in place. The team was assembled perfectly, with the right amount of balance. Built around All-Star power forward Chris Webber and center Vlade Divac, and up and coming sharp shooter in small forward Peja Stojakovic, all that was missing was a legitimate, true point guard to run the show. That piece would soon be coming. Coming into the 2002 season, the Kings had traded away their flashy point guard, Jason Williams (J-Will) - a player who helped fueled the resurgence of the Kings, as well as bring the always sold out crowd to their feet with his spectacular plays - for a little known, more grounded point guard in Mike Bibby. The casual fans of the Kings hated the trade, as their enthusiasm for J-Will's electric plays was something they would miss. But the purest of basketball observers knew that this trade was a great one for the Kings. Bibby's overall skill set was much better than J-Will's and while Bibby would always settle for simple rather than flashy, his talent and play would be a welcomed addition, eventually winning fans over, and games. The team was now complete.
Move forward through the regular season and early stages of the playoffs, and onto the Western Conference Finals against our much hated rival, the Los Angeles Lakers. High tension was reached with every game. The Kings would take a early 2-1 lead in the series, splitting the homes games in Sacramento and taking the first game in L.A. Everything seemed to go according to the script, expect in Game 4, the Kings came to play. They led the entire game, leading at halftime by 14, with the lead as big as 24 at one point in the first half. Lakers power forward Samaki Walker would hit a three pointer at the buzzer before halftime, but if instant replay were available and instituted back then, it wouldn't have counted (it is now because of this play). First atrocity. Replayed showed that the shot left his hand well after the buzzer sounded. In the second half and 4th quarter, the Lakers continued to chop away at the lead, however the Kings still remained ahead. The Kings would maintain a 2 point lead going into the final possession. If the Kings could just hold on for one more possession, they would take a commanding 3-1 lead in the series.
The Lakers inbounded the ball into the lower post. Lakers center Shaquille O'Neal would take it in the post and flip up a shot that would hit the back of the iron and bounce out. Time ticks and stands still. Shot is missed!! Somehow, Shaq grabs the offensive rebound and again puts up another shot. Again, time ticks and stands still. Again, shot is missed!! The ball continues to bounce around the rim and eventually would land in the vicinity of Vlade Divac. Knowing that there is little time left on the clock, instead of simply grabbing the rebound and ball, he decides to tip it out to the middle of the court so that a teammate can grab it. Instead, it lands in the hands of Lakers power forward Will Smith...eerrr...Robert Horry. Commonly referred to as "Big Shot Bob" he quickly gathers the ball, takes one dribble step backwards behind the three-point line, and puts up a shot over the outstretched arm of Chris Webber. Time ticks and stands still. The ball in the air for a mere second if not a minute. This time...SSSSSWISH!!!!! Game Over!!!! Shot goes in, Kings lose by one 100-99. Falling to feet in disbelief. Did that just happen? Yes, and it gets worst. Much worst!!
While this was a heartbreaking lost that most Kings fans would identify as the worst lost in franchise history and one that still stings at the core of all Kings fans; the game for me that I still can't live down is the Game 6 lost, Kings 102 - Lakers 106. Michael Wilbon of ESPN's PTI still refers to that game whenever the subject of bad officiating comes up on the show. In fact, it's actually wrong of me to call Game 6 of the series a "lost", rather I should say that Game 6, and the series, and the NBA Finals, and the NBA Championship (I'm convinced the Kings would have smoked the New Jersey Nets in the Finals), were stolen from us with that game. It would go down as the worst officiated professional sports game in history.
I had decided to make the trek out to UC Davis and watch the game with my buddy Matt and his suite mates. I also decided to bring along the girl I was dating at the time. Normally, this would be a big mistake, as I knew that my emotions may get the better of me and a side of me that I might not want her to see may come out. However, I really wasn't that into her, so the give-oh-sh** factor ran strong. Anyways, this game was a well-played game by the Kings and they deserved to be victorious. many high-fives and cheers were shared. Victory seemed in hand. However, the 4th quarter would start, and the refs and NBA Commissioner David Stern felt differently. In the 4th quarter, the tides would quickly change, and the Lakers would go on to attempt 21 free throws and "supposedly" fouled out all of the Kings centers. Playng 8 on 5, it was a stunning defeat, as the Kings lost 106 - 102, a close game despite all of the missed calls and phantom fouls. Words and obscenities were yelled and objects were tossed around the suite. Most Kings fans, along with myself, knew that something wasn't right with that game, and our suspicions were confirmed when outed ex-NBA ref Tim Donaghy (outed for fixing games for gamblers) had it on good authority and alleged that two of the refs in that game were told by the NBA to make calls against the Kings and preserve the series of a Game 7. The NBA strongly denies these calms. Of the game, Michael Wilbon would go on to write in the Washington Post, "I wrote down in my notebook six calls that were stunningly incorrect, all against Sacramento, all in the fourth quarter when the Lakers made five baskets and 21 foul shots to hold on to their championship." It still hurts, and I still believe the game was fixed.
There would be a Game 7 in Sacramento. Many would say that this is were the Kings lost the series, as they missed 14 free throws throughout the game (they shot 12-26 for the game) and cost themselves the victory and the series. I am of the mindset that there shouldn't have ever been a Game 7 to play. The last second shot in Game 4 that shouldn't have counted and with the atrocity of the officiating in Game 6, the Kings should have wrapped up the Western Conference Finals and begin preparing to play the New Jersey Nets in the NBA Finals. However, the NBA got their wish, and a Game 7.
It was just painful to watch, as clank after clank of missed free throws went off of the rim. My parents and I were at our church that Sunday evening because our pastor was leaving our church for another and it was his going away party. But Game 7 consumed everyone's attention. We had brought out TVs and chairs and watched the game outside. But with each clank, the hope would fade even more. In overtime, Bobby Jackson would miss a free throw to put the Kings within a position of the Lakers, and I yelled out the loudest, one-word obscenity (not starting with an F though), that made everyone's head turn. I just had to let it out. The Kings lost Game 7 112-106, and the series. The Lakers would easier beat the New Jersey Nets in the NBA Finals, winning (stealing) the (our) championship.
It's hard to talk about each one of these games without mentioning or linking the others together. This is why I had to talk about all three as one. I know this post is jumbled and not as intense and detailed as my one number, but make no mistake about it, these were three tough loses that I've had to wear. 2002 turned out not to be such a great year for me.
Mr. Armchair Speaking
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