NBA: Top 10 moments of 2017
What a year it was!
2017 had everything, record-breaking moments, historic performances, new superteams and a lot of emotion, trash talk, and drama. Its also seen the rise of LaVar Ball, who has now seemingly talked his way into international stardom. We witnessed the conclusion of Part 1 in the Russell Westbrook-Kevin Durant drama with both men probably happy with the outcome for now.
2017 has also produced one of the best draft classes in recent times and these rookies will shape the future of this league. Elsewhere, the Process finally seems to be working and the Greek Freak and the Unicorn seem well on their way to establishing themselves as two of the very best in the league. With all that being said, we count down the best moments of an unforgettable 2017:
#10 Manu Ginobili's game-winning block on James Harden
For years, the San Antonio Spurs relied on their big 3 to come up big in late game situations, but 2017 finally seemed like the passing of the torch. With Tim Duncan having retired and Kawhi Leonard emerging as an MVP candidate, the old guys were sort of put at the back of the shelf. One of them, however, showed it's not quite that time yet.
Last season's playoff encounter between the Spurs and the Rockets which went to 6 games, wasn't exactly an all-time classic. Four games were blowouts, with Game 5 really being the only nip and tuck game and it produced one of the greatest moments in playoff history.
A back and forth game throughout, Ginobili tied it up at 101 with 34 seconds left, but Leonard went out injured soon after and the Spurs had to fend off the Rockets in OT without him. Danny Green picked up the slack and scored 7 and the Spurs led by 3 with 15 seconds remaining. After Houston won a jump ball with 8 seconds left, Harden had a chance to tie it up, but Ginobili made a huge play as he always does and blocked the shot from behind, as the Spurs won 110-107.
It was just some more food for thought for all the doubters who'd written the Spurs off after a crushing loss in Game 1. The old boys in San Antonio aren't going away anytime soon and expect them to make another deep playoff run this season.