1999 NBA Finals Game 5- Spurs win first NBA title

Photo by JEFF HAYNES/AFP via Getty Images Photo by JEFF HAYNES/AFP via Getty ImagesThe moment Spurs fans had been waiting for since the once Dallas Chaparrals had moved down I-35 and joined the NBA. A dollar could buy you a lot in those days.

The kicker for the win was

(a) the NBA had set up and rehearsed the trophy ceremony before the game in the event the Spurs won. What hadn’t been planned was Jeff Van Gundy and there Knicks coming down to practice and having to wait to watch the rehearsal signaling their demise. Fans talk about elimination games, but the Knicks were face to face with losing on their home court...and then they did.

(b) the shot clock was broken and Avery Johnson was using…