Image via Complex Original
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It may be damn near impossible to remember, but there was a time when the San Antonio Spurs were a title-less franchise just trying to claw their way to legitimacy. By 1999, they had all the pieces in place: their “Twin Towers,” future Hall of Famer David Robinson and third-year man (and possible robot) Tim Duncan, as well as a strong supporting cast made up of veterans like Mario Elie, Steve Kerr, Avery Johnson, and Sean Elliott. In Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals against the Portland Trail Blazers, it would be the unlikely Elliott who would forever stamp his name in Spurs lore.
While nobody knew it at the time, Elliott probably should not have even been playing in this game. After the season he would need a kidney transplant, and would only play 71 games over the next two seasons before retiring in 2001. Nevertheless, Elliott was absolutely on fire on May 31, 1999, having hit five of six three-point attempts for a total of 19 points. The same could not be said for the rest of his team, however; the Spurs had struggled with their shooting (45.7 percent) and played sloppily (16 turnovers) throughout the game, and indeed had not even held a lead all day.
Trailing by two with 12 seconds to go, coach Gregg Popovich drew up a play that would not only win the Spurs the game, but would indeed propel them to a sweep over the Blazers and a five-game romp over the New York Knicks to win their first NBA title. Here’s a look at that famous sequence, a Frame-by-Frame Breakdown of the Memorial Day Miracle.
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3.6' 6” Jim Jackson Hounds Mario Elie
Obviously, Jackson was scared about becoming the victim of the newest kiss of death.
4.Steve Kerr Runs off a David Robinson Screen as a Decoy
His moment with San Antonio would come later.
5.Sean Elliott Catches the Inbounds Pass
Peep Stacey Augmon sealing out hard for the steal, then giving the front row a full-on lap dance.
6.Elliott Almost Falls Out of Bounds Catching the Ball
Could a 6'8” pro basketball player also be a ballerina? Possibly.
7.Elliott Squares Up With Rasheed Wallace Right in His Mug
Like, he can't possibly shoot here, right?
8.Elliott's Heels Hover Over the Sideline as He Rises Up to Shoot
Again, WTF is going on with Elliott's balance? Can we please get a copy of his calf workout?
9.Rasheed Wallace (6' 10”) Jumps Up Fully Extended to Block the Shot
Dude is trying to save his team's season. Even a low-effort guy like Sheed can give a shit sometimes.
10.Elliott Somehow Gets the Ball Up and Over Wallace's Fingertips
This may be the highest-ever recorded jump of Sheed's entire career.
11.Augmon and Wallace Watch as Elliott Poses
It's like they already knew what was going to happen.
12.Buckets
RIP, Jail Blazers. It was nice knowing you.
13.Sean Elliott, Stone Cold Killer
Just cruising back down the court like nothing happened. Do you, Sean Elliott.
14.Elliott Daps up Elie
“Mine was better.” –Elie
“Nah.” –Elliott
15.“Oh Damn.”
Antonio Daniels knows what's up.
16.Behold, the Tears of Brian Grant
Brian Grant seriously looks like he just watched his whole family get murdered right in front of him. Dude is so sad.
17.Damon Stoudamire Can't Quite Believe It
Not only did Damon Stoudamire just realize his team was going to lose, but it looks like someone in the Blazers' huddle ripped a nasty fart.
18.The Double Fist Pump
Mario Elie, still loving it.
19.Elliott: All Business.
Um, does Sean Elliott know what he just did? Guy should be WAY more hype.