by Kevin McCormack

Let’s get right to it, that was a sweet tip-in for the game-winning deuce by Antonio McDyess over the Lakers Thursday night. Nice, yes, but how does it rate on the Horry Scale?

Difficulty: The tip itself was simple, but the real beauty in this play occurred while Tim Duncan‘s missed shot was in the air. Watch it again and note how the wily veteran McDyess hooks his left arm around Lamar Odom to gain rebounding position.  When Duncan’s shot hit the rim, Odom has no chance and McDyess leaps up and taps it in.

Game Situation: The Lakers were ahead 88-87 with 4.6 seconds left when the Spurs in-bounded the ball. Down one, it’s time to get a basket or go home. Clutch play.

Importance: I’ll say medium-high to high. The Spurs have the best record in the league, but still have their doubters as to if they are actually the “best” team. Beating the Lakers in L.A., and further extending the current NBA storyline du jour that Kobe and the Lakers are in trouble, is huge. And let’s face it, there’s a pretty good chance these teams meat up again come May.

Celebration: Gregg Popovich cracked a smile! I repeat, Popovich cracked a smile!

Grade:

3.5 Horrys. The shot itself was easy, but the game situation, conference implications and the fact that this is the Horry Scale, after all, and Big Shot Rob did in fact once play for the Spurs, earns this play 3.5 Horrys.