By By Chandler Myers
What is the best play to ever take place in a championship game?
Is it the 18-foot jump shot that Michael Jordan hit to win the 1998 NBA Finals over the Utah Jazz? No one can forget the catch David Tyree made in Super Bowl XLII Or is it the catch that Santonio Holmes made against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday in Super Bowl XLIII?
There are several moments in sports where a winning catch or a monumental play led a team to a championship victory.
My vote would go for the shot that Michael Jordan made in 1998. I would vote that way simply because I am an MJ fan, and he made that shot look good.
David Tyree’s catch comes in at a close second because he caught that pass on his helmet with time running low and the Giants needing a miracle.
Jordan’s shot though takes the cake because he made it under tremendous pressure with time running extremely short.
First, he had to shake off Bryon Russell, and for any Utah fans that say he pushed off, take a look at the clip on YouTube, and it shows that he just plain made Russell look silly. Next, he had to set and shoot that shot knowing that it could make or break things for the Chicago Bulls.
If he misses, the Bulls lose the game and have to go to Game 7, and possibly lose their chance for a sixth title in that game. Things worked out for MJ though as he secured that sixth title and retired for a second time.
Tyree’s catch was just incredible because he did it with a man on him and he held the ball against his helmet with one hand.
If he drops that pass then it’s fourth-and-five for the Giants and they possibly don’t convert the first down.
Holmes’ catch was amazing, but he did it with less pressure. If he dropped it , the Steelers would have got another shot at the endzone or had to settle for overtime.
I might be biased, but MJ’s shot will always be tough to beat.
Chandler Myers is sports editor of the Atmore Advance. He can be reached at 368-2123 or by e-mail at sports@atmoreadvance.com