Avery Johnson

Even inside the supercharged Madison Square Garden, Avery Johnson could hear the doubts during the 1999 NBA Finals, regarding both his ability to guide the San Antonio Spurs’ title pursuit as the starting point guard, and of his accuracy from the perimeter. On the biggest possession of the 5-foot-11 floor general’s professional career — and of the game — Johnson left only one question to remain: what time does the championship parade begin? Pressed into the bright lights when the New York Knicks’ swarming defense affords him a wide-open, prove-it shot from 18-feet out, Johnson, smooth and confident, lets fly a series-deciding bucket to give San Antonio a lead it wouldn’t surrender. Quietly a big-shot maker throughout the Spurs’ first title journey, Johnson’s underdog story came full circle following the shot with 47 seconds left. The journeyman’s box score tally during the Game Five clincher included eight points, two rebounds, nine assists, and much more that couldn’t be quantified, ultimately helping San Antonio raise the first of its many soon-to-arrive championships on June 25, 1999.

Top Shot Debut

Championship Year