Empty the Bench

Is there an official award for “The NBA’s Play of the Year?” If there is, close the ballot box, send the judges home, sign the checks: Rasheed Wallace just wrapped it up tonight, tout de suite.

Here’s how it happened: with the Detroit Pistons trailing by 3 points, Chauncey Billups missed a three-pointer and the rebound went out of bounds off Antonio McDyess with 1.5 seconds remaining in the game. Denver took the ball out on Detroit’s side of the court with the game seemingly over, but Rasheed Wallace swiped the inbounds pass, turned, and nailed a three-pointer from 3/4 court off the backboard as time expired! You won’t see a more clutch, more improbable shot all season. HOT.

‘Sheed wasn’t done yet though: he came back to hit another difficult three-pointer to tie the game at 106 with under a minute left in OT, then calmly sank two free throws that pretty much sealed the Pistons’ thrilling 113-109 comeback win over the Denver Nuggets. Wow. What a game. Give me a regular season NBA game like this one over any NCAA Tournament contest any day.

Here’s video: