Amanda Knapp
The phrase The Shot Heard 'Round the World is often used to describe an extraordinary event, particularly in sports. In basketball, the phrase is commonly associated with Garfield Gar Heard's buzzer beater in Game 5 of the 1976 Phoenix–Boston championship series. With one second left, Heard hit a 20-foot jumper to force the first triple overtime in NBA Finals history. Heard's shot is also known as The Shot and has been described as one of the greatest moments in NBA Finals history.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Garfield "Gar" Heard |
| Date of Birth | May 3, 1948 |
| Sport | Basketball |
| Position | Guard |
| Shot Heard 'Round the World | A buzzer beater that sent Game 5 of the 1976 Phoenix–Boston championship series into a third overtime |
| College | University of Oklahoma |
| NBA Teams | Seattle SuperSonics, Buffalo Braves, Chicago Bulls, Phoenix Suns |
| NBA Career Length | 15 years |
| Coaching Roles | Head coach of the Washington Wizards (1999-2000), assistant coach for the Dallas Mavericks (2000), assistant coach for the Atlanta Hawks (2000-2003), assistant coach for the Detroit Pistons (2004-2005) |
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What You'll Learn
Garfield Heard's buzzer beater
The "Shot Heard 'Round the World" is a phrase that has been used to refer to several notable events, including the opening shot of the battles of Lexington and Concord, which sparked the American Revolutionary War, and the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, which was a catalyst for World War I. In sports, the phrase has been used to describe extraordinary moments, such as Bobby Thomson's game-winning home run in baseball and Paul Caligiuri's winning goal for the US men's national soccer team.
In the context of basketball, the phrase "The Shot Heard 'Round the World" is often associated with Garfield Heard's buzzer-beater during Game 5 of the 1976 Phoenix-Boston championship series. Heard, an American retired professional basketball player and coach, made a remarkable shot with one second left on the clock, forcing the game into a third overtime. This feat became known as "The Shot" or "The Shot Heard 'Round the World," inspired by Ralph Waldo Emerson's poem "Concord Hymn," which commemorates the Battle of Lexington.
Heard's basketball journey began at the University of Oklahoma, where he excelled and was selected by the Seattle SuperSonics (now the Oklahoma City Thunder) in the 1970 NBA draft. Throughout his 15-year NBA career, he played for four teams: the Sonics, the Buffalo Braves (now the Los Angeles Clippers), the Chicago Bulls, and the Phoenix Suns. Heard's most memorable moment came during the 1976 NBA Finals when his high-arcing turnaround jump shot from 18-20 feet away sent the game into triple overtime. The Phoenix Suns ultimately lost the series to the Boston Celtics, but Heard's buzzer-beater remains an iconic moment in NBA history, often regarded as one of the greatest NBA finals moments.
The significance of Heard's shot extends beyond its impact on the game. The circumstances surrounding it added to the drama and excitement. After John Havlicek's last-second shot gave the Celtics a one-point lead, Celtics fans stormed the court, and a fan attacked referee Richie Powers. Order was eventually restored, and the Suns had a chance to inbound the ball with one second left. Paul Westphal, a Suns guard, intentionally called a timeout, resulting in a technical foul and a free throw for the Celtics. However, this also allowed the Suns to inbound the ball from mid-court, setting up the perfect opportunity for Heard's heroics.
Heard's buzzer-beater not only showcased his talent and quick thinking but also contributed to the legacy of the 1976 NBA Finals as one of the most thrilling and memorable in basketball history. The game's intensity, combined with the dramatic fan invasion and the historical significance of the shot's reference, has cemented it as a defining moment in the NBA, earning it the moniker "The Shot Heard 'Round the World."
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The 1976 Phoenix-Boston championship series
The 1976 NBA Finals saw a championship series between the Phoenix Suns and the Boston Celtics, with the Celtics seeking their 13th NBA championship title. The series was a best-of-seven and went to six games, with the Celtics ultimately winning four games to two.
The Suns had reached the championship round for the first time since the team's inaugural 1968-69 season. They had a strong finish to the season, obtaining power forward Gar Heard in a trade with the Buffalo Braves, which helped them clinch a playoff berth. The Suns also boasted two rookies in their starting lineup: centre Alvan Adams and guard Ricky Sobers.
The Celtics, meanwhile, were looking to make up for a lost opportunity in the 1975 NBA Playoffs. They kept the core of the team that won the 1974 NBA Finals, making a few tweaks, including trading Paul Westphal to Phoenix for Charlie Scott.
Game 5 of the series, played on June 4, 1976, is particularly memorable, known as "The Fabulous Fifth". It went to triple overtime, with the Celtics winning by a single point. With just over two seconds left, John Havlicek scored for the Celtics, but the timekeeper forgot to stop the clock, leading to confusion over whether time had actually expired. The officials huddled and decided that there should be one second left on the clock, and the Suns' Paul Westphal called a timeout, resulting in a technical foul against Phoenix.
The Celtics ultimately closed out the series in Game 6, winning their 13th championship with an 87-80 victory.
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The 1976 NBA finals
The Celtics were seeking to make amends for their disappointing 1975 campaign, where they finished with an impressive 60 wins but lost to the Washington Bullets in the conference finals. They made some changes to their championship-winning 1974 core, including trading Paul Westphal to the Suns for Charlie Scott. In the 1975-76 season, the Celtics won 54 games and defeated the Buffalo Braves and the Cleveland Cavaliers in six games each to reach the NBA Finals.
On the other hand, the Suns were a young team, having entered the NBA as an expansion team in the 1968-69 season. Before 1976, they had only made the playoffs once, losing in the first round of the 1970 NBA Playoffs to the Los Angeles Lakers. The Suns had a strong season, defeating the Seattle SuperSonics in the first round of the playoffs and then upsetting the Golden State Warriors, who had a 59-23 regular season record, in the Western Conference Finals.
Game 5 of the 1976 NBA Finals was a back-and-forth affair, with the Suns and Celtics trading blows and neither team able to pull away. The game went into overtime, and then into a second overtime, with the score still close. With one second left in the second overtime, the Suns' Garfield "Gar" Heard made an extraordinary shot to send the game into a third overtime. Heard's shot, known as "The Shot Heard 'Round the World", was a very high-arcing turnaround jump shot from at least 18-20 feet away over Celtic defender Don Nelson. The Celtics eventually won the game 128-126 and went on to claim the NBA Championship in Game 6.
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Kawhi Leonard's jump shot
The phrase "The Shot Heard 'Round the World" has been used to describe a buzzer beater by basketball player Garfield "Gar" Heard, which sent Game 5 of the 1976 Phoenix–Boston championship series into a third overtime.
In terms of Kawhi Leonard's jump shot, there have been several analyses of his form and technique. One observation is that Leonard used to 'sling' the ball well above and behind the front vertical plane of his head before shooting, causing his upper body to slingshot the ball. This resulted in a throwing motion with his butt moving slightly backward. To correct this, Leonard adjusted his shooting pocket and release point to a position above his shooting eyebrow, rather than in the middle-back of his head.
Another analysis focuses on the timing of Leonard's release. It is noted that during his time at SDSU, Leonard had a tendency to release the ball while he was already on the way down from his jump. This reduced the power in his jumper. To address this, Leonard worked on releasing the ball on the way up, allowing him to transfer energy more efficiently from his legs into his shot.
Leonard's height and length also play a significant factor in his jump shot. His height advantage over defenders makes it difficult for them to block his jumper. Additionally, he is quick in getting the ball up to his shooting pocket, which is higher than that of most defenders.
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Allan Houston's series-clinching shot
Allan Wade Houston, born on April 20, 1971, is a former professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1993 to 2005. Houston played nine seasons for the New York Knicks and was a member of the Knicks' 1999 NBA Finals team.
Houston's most famous play came in the decisive Game 5 of the first round of the 1999 Eastern Conference quarterfinals against the Miami Heat. With just under five seconds remaining, Houston, a sharpshooter, caught the inbounds pass with the Knicks trailing 77-76. He ducked under a few defenders and took a running floater that bounced off the front rim and fell through, winning the game and the series for the Knicks, 78-77. This was only the second time in NBA playoffs history that an eighth seed had defeated a first seed.
The Knicks then defeated the Atlanta Hawks and Indiana Pacers to advance to the NBA Finals, where they lost to the Spurs in five games. During his career, Houston was known for his three-point shooting prowess and made the All-Star team twice. He also won a gold medal as a member of the U.S. men's basketball team at the 2000 Summer Olympics.
Houston's lasting legacy may be his off-court impact. In 2001, he signed a six-year, $100.4 million contract extension with the Knicks, making him virtually untradeable. Unfortunately, his injury problems burdened the team, and he retired in 2005 due to knee issues. Houston attempted a comeback in 2007 but ended his efforts due to poor timing in joining the team late into the preseason.
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Frequently asked questions
Garfield "Gar" Heard hit the shot heard round the world in basketball.
Gar Heard hit the shot heard round the world on May 3, 1976, in Game 5 of the 1976 NBA Finals.
The Phoenix Suns and the Boston Celtics were playing in Game 5 of the 1976 NBA Finals.
The game went into a third overtime, with the Celtics ultimately winning 128-126.
