Every NBA team’s greatest playoff moment

CHICAGO - JUNE 7: Michael Jordan #23 of the Chicago Bulls matches up against Karl Malone #32 of the Utah Jazz in Game Three of the 1998 NBA Finals at the United Center on June 5, 1998 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls won 96-54. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1998 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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Sacramento Kings: Mike Bibby heroics (2002 Western Conference Finals, Game 5)

Bringing up the 2002 Western Conference Finals to a Sacramento Kings fan is a bittersweet experience. On one hand, fans remember that team and their run through the playoffs exceptionally fondly, as well they should. At the same time, there’s also the fact that the series against the Los Angeles Lakers stands as an example of one of the most…shall we say, curiously officiated series in NBA history. If you don’t know, there are plenty of examples of the conspiracy against the Kings on YouTube for reference.

What’s always been impressive, however, is that the Kings still pushed the Lakers to the brink in that series. Even if the refs weren’t in the wrong, that’s an impressive feat against the eventual champions who were winning their third-straight title with Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal. The entire series was absolutely fantastic for the Kings with the likes of Chris Webber, Vlade Divac and Hedo Turkoglu all becoming fan-favorites. It was Mike Bibby, though, that came through with the biggest singular moment in Game 5.

With the series tied at two games apiece and the Kings playing in Sacramento, they couldn’t afford to lose a swing game. The Lakers, however, took a three-point lead over the home team with two Samaki Walker free throws with 59.3 seconds remaining. Then it was Bibby’s time. The point guard took the ball on the next possession and drew a shooting foul on Kobe, drilling the two free throws. After a miss by Bryant, Bibby then hauled in the defensive board and the Kings called timeout.

Down by a point with other 30 seconds left, Sacramento burned a little clock before getting the offense into motion. As they did, Webber was able to find Bibby on the perimeter just inside the 3-point line for a jumper — and the point guard drained it to go ahead by one. They forced a miss from Bryant on the final possession to secure the win and take the series lead. It’s a shame they weren’t able to capitalize further, but no Kings fan will soon look past Bibby’s heroics.

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