'The Shot' by LeBron Has Echoes of Jordan

By Harry Kimball, Newser Staff

Posted May 23, 2009 1:45 PM CDT

(Newser) – LeBron James' 3-point bomb at the buzzer last night to beat Orlando is the stuff of legend. In fact, writes Jodie Valade in the Plain Dealer, it invokes another classic shot in Cavaliers' history, this one by Michael Jordan 20 years ago to beat Cleveland. "He was born to do that," said guard Sasha Pavlovic of James. "I believed. I think all our fans believed, too." The Eastern finals are now tied at 1-1.

“That was an instant classic," added guard Mo Williams. Cavs coach Mike Brown says the play went according to plan. They figured the Magic would look for Lebron to catch a pass near the basket and put in an easy 2-pointer to tie. Instead, he caught the inbound pass outside the 3-point stripe. “He just made a crazy shot,” a Magic defender said. “You can't do anything about that.”

[Images (4)]

[Videos (3)]

[Quotes (1)]

Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron Jame makes a 3-point shot over Orlando Magic's Hedo Turkoglu as time expired. (AP Photo)

Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James makes a 3-point shot over Orlando Magic's Hedo Turkoglu as time expired. (AP Photo)

Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James, right, hugs his mother, Gloria, after a 96-95 win over the Orlando Magic. (AP Photo)

Players look on as LeBron James' 3-point shot go through the basket. (AP Photo)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

Here's the shot. (YouTube)

Here's 'the Shot' by Michael Jordan 20 years ago. (YouTube)

Lebron talks about the shot. (YouTube)

View larger videos >>

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next »

He was born to do that. I would lie if I said I didn't expect that. I kind of expected that. That's what he does. He makes all kinds of shots in practice. I believed. I think all our fans believed, too. - Cavs guard Sasha Pavlovic

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

Choke Artist LeBron Is No Jordan

(NEWSER) - The Cavaliers' loss to the Orlando Magic last night further highlights the difference between LeBron James and his spectacular forebear, Michael Jordan, Mike Freeman writes for CBS Sports. “Jordan wouldn't have lost this game or been destroyed in this series,” Freeman writes. Furthermore, Jordan would not have delivered James’ easygoing response to the loss that left Cleveland down 3-1. “Jordan would've strangled someone.” More»

Why LeBron James Is Changing Jersey Numbers

It has to do with another player by the name of Michael Jordan

(NEWSER) - LeBron James has notified the league he wants to switch from No. 23 to No. 6 next season as a tribute to a previous No. 23—Michael Jordan. In today's merchandise-crazy sports world, of course, the move is no simple thing. Nike, for instance, incorporates the "23" into its James logo. The league doesn't have to approve the switch, but it's unlikely to turn down the revenue from all those new jerseys. More»

LeBron Celebrates MVP at Hometown Gym

(NEWSER) - LeBron James accepted his MVP trophy today at his Akron high school gym, telling a packed house that he "never dreamed about being MVP, but if I said I didn't enjoy this award I'd be lying to you," the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports. A crowd of students stocked with family, friends, and former teachers and coaches gave him a standing ovation. "Hard work pays off and dreams do come true," he told them. More»

West's Late 3-Pointer Hands Cavs 3-1 Series Edge

King James adds 34 points, 12 rebounds in 100-97 victory

(NEWSER) - LeBron James had 34 points and 12 rebounds, and dished the ball to Delonte West for a tiebreaking 3-pointer with 5.4 seconds left Sunday, helping the Cavaliers get past the Wizards 100-97 to take a 3-1 lead in their best-of-seven Eastern Conference playoff series. Cleveland led by 15 in the third quarter, but Washington came back, with Gilbert Arenas capping the rally. More»

Magic Lock Up Third Seed, Beat Cavaliers

King James held to only 17 points as Orlando wins 101-86

(NEWSER) - Hedo Turkoglu scored 23 points, Rashard Lewis added 21 and the Orlando Magic locked up the Eastern Conference's No. 3 playoff seed with a 101-86 win today over the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Magic, who have sat behind Boston and Detroit in the standings for much of the season, won despite getting only 4 points on 1-of-8 shooting from All-Star center Dwight Howard, 17 below his average. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website