Athletes and signature moments: What plays make you instantly think of someone?
Willis Reed makes a dramatic entrance onto the court prior to Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Finals between the Knicks and Lakers on May 8, 1970, inspiring the Knicks to victory. Credit: George Kalinsky
With the passing of Willis Reed at age 80 this past week, many sports fans were reminded of the “Willis Reed Game,” when the hobbled Knicks center played in Game 7 of the NBA Finals in 1970 and — despite scoring only four points — was such an inspiration that the Knicks won the game handily and became champions.
Since then, whenever an injured player in any sport wills him or herself onto the field or court, it is called that athlete’s “Willis Reed Moment” — even by people who were not alive when Reed limped onto the court at the Garden.
This got us thinking: What other athletes can we think of who are always associated with one moment or one play or one signature move, whether it is positive or negative?
Here’s what we came up with, separated by sport:
BASKETBALL
When you see a player . . .
Limping onto the court, refusing to sit out a big game, you think of Willis Reed.
Taking a hook shot, you think of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
Driving to the hoop with his tongue out, you think of Michael Jordan.
Michael Jordan drives against the Knicks. Credit: Newsday/John Keating
You also might think of him if a player takes the court sick (“The Flu Game”).
Complaining about practice, you think of Allen Iverson.
Calling a timeout they don’t have, you think of Chris Webber.
Air-balling a three-pointer but his teammate catches it and dunks it, you think of Dereck Whittenburg’s desperation shot/Lorenzo Charles’ buzzer-beating slam to win the 1983 men’s basketball championship.
Speaking of that North Carolina State team, when you see a coach or player running around looking for someone to hug, you think of coach Jim Valvano. You also think of him when someone gives an inspirational, emotional speech.
BASEBALL
When you see a player . . .
Making a basket catch — or a back-to-the-plate catch — you think of Willie Mays.
Climbing the wall to rob a home run, you think of Endy Chavez.
Making an incredible throw from deep in the outfield to get a runner out at home or third, you think of Roberto Clemente.
Waving his arms and trying to will a home run fair instead of foul, you think of Carlton Fisk.
Diving into the stands to catch a pop-up (tough to do now because of the net), you think of Derek Jeter.
Derek Jeter makes a tremendous catch diving into stands to catch a pop fly by Boston's Trot Nixon on July 1, 2004. Credit: Newsday/Paul J. Bereswill
Bashing a water cooler in the dugout, you think of Paul O’Neill.
Taking a called third strike to end a big game, you think of Carlos Beltran.
Struggling to throw the ball anywhere near the plate, you think of Steve Blass.
Struggling to throw the ball back to the pitcher, you think of Mackey Sasser.
Letting a ball get by him at first base, you think of Bill Buckner.
When you see a manager leave his pitcher in too long . . .
You think of Red Sox manager Grady Little, who did it with Pedro Martinez in Game 7 of the 2003 ALCS.
When you see a fan . . . .
Reaching over the wall and interfering with a long drive, you think of Jeffrey Maier.
Jeffrey Maier deflects a fly ball by Derek Jeter during Game 1 of the American League Championship Series against the Orioles on Oct. 9, 1996. Credit: AP/Mark Lennihan
FOOTBALL
When you see a player . . .
Making a one-handed catch, you think of Odell Beckham Jr.
Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. makes a one-handed catch for a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys on Nov. 23, 2014. Credit: AP/Julio Cortez
Running the wrong way, you think of Jim Marshall.
Suffering a serious leg injury, you think of Joe Theismann.
Getting caught from behind, especially near the goal line, you think of Leon Lett and Don Beebe (if a player touches a ball when he’s not supposed to, especially in the snow, you might also think of Lett).
Carrying would-be tacklers, you think of Mark Bavaro.
Giving it his all at an older age, you think of Y.A. Tittle.
Going wide right on a field goal, you think of Scott Norwood. (And if you’re a Giants fan, you smile.)
Catching a pass on his helmet, you think of David Tyree. (And if you’re a Giants fan, you smile again.)
Making a blooper-reel fumble, a la Mark Sanchez’s “Butt Fumble,” you think of the former Jets quarterback (And if you’re a Jets fan, you surely don’t smile).
When you see a team . . .
Taking a 28-3 lead, you think about the Falcons’ epic Super Bowl meltdown vs. the Patriots.
When you see a coach . . .
Talking about the playoffs at the podium, you think of former Colts leader Jim Mora. “Playoffs?!”
TENNIS
When you see a player . . .
Berating an official, you think of John McEnroe. “You cannot be serious!”
Pumping a fist and letting out a loud roar after a big point, you think of Serena Williams.
Serena Williams during the 2013 U.S. Open. Credit: Newsday/J. Conrad Williams Jr.
When you see . . .
Women playing against men, or vice versa, you think of Billie Jean King beating Bobby Riggs.
OTHER SPORTS
When you see soccer players celebrating a penalty-kick goal by ripping their shirts off and/or falling to their knees, you think of Brandi Chastain.
When you see an injured gymnast excelling, you think of Kerri Strug.
When you see a golfer wearing a red shirt, especially on Sundays, you think of Tiger Woods.
When you see a golfer wearing some funky-looking pants, you think of John Daly.
When you see a player coming back to the arena he used to play in and get his name chanted, you think of Eddie Giacomin at the Garden. Conversely, when a player returns but hears nothing but boos, you think of John Tavares on Long Island.
When you see a dramatic hockey goal in overtime of the playoffs, you think of the Rangers’ Stephane Matteau . . . and of course Howie Rose’s famous “Matteau! Matteau! Matteau!” call.
When you see a player who can’t handle New York, you think of Ed Whitson. And, more recently, Joey Gallo.
When you see a successful championship guarantee, you think of Joe Namath and Mark Messier.
With Laura Albanese,
Neil Best, Andrew Gross,
Joe Manniello, Steve Popper, Tom Rock and Dave Whitehorn
Anthony Rieber covers baseball, as well as the NFL, NBA and NHL. He has worked at Newsday since Aug. 31, 1998, and has been in his current position since July 5, 2004.
