D-Leaguer hits Game Winner Against Cleveland

[PosImpos]

Did anybody see this?

My friend and I were flipping channels the other day and there was this bit on ESPN about the D-League and they showed some kid talking to his coach, who was congratulating him on getting called up to the NBA. 
"Congratulations, good luck, and we hope to never see you again!" the coach said, as if the player were being released from rehab or a mental hospital. 
I said to my friend, "They celebrate now, but this guy probably won't even step on the floor." 
"Yeah," my friend said, "But he'll still get the chance to practice with them.  Where's he going to?  Utah?  He'll get to defend Deron Williams in practice.  That's pretty cool."

Then I turn on the Utah / Cleveland game tonight and who hits the game winning shot?  Sundiata Gaines from the D-league, the kid I had written off as never-going-to-play.  Against Cleveland, no less - my least favorite team.  As soon as I saw it happened I called my friend up.  He picked up after a few rings and said "Did you see that?"

Yes.  Yes I did, and it was awesome.

[GreenFaith1819]

It was a nice shot..even better since it knocked the Cavs down a notch.

And Utah wore Green . That's really what did CLE in last night.

[Las Vegas Asian]

Great finish!!! I'm glad I stuck it out as I almost shut it off in disgust with the Cavs up 6 with .32 secs left. Nice to see some other team besides us get sucked out at the buzzer!!! 

[jimmehx]

That's so cool. I am really happy for him.
What a great feeling for that kid!

[Drucci]

I saw the highlights. Indeed, LeBron's steps from the free-throw lines to the 3 point lines were just OBVIOUS... but the refs didn't whistle and James hit the three.

The shot from the D-Leaguer was beautiful, it was a tough, contested one, which adds to the difficulty!

I guess he will get a contract for the rest of the season now. Funny story, and a beautiful one, especially since it happened against the Cavs.

PS : the last minutes of the game showed once again that even when LeBron does everything humanly possible to win the game (and even more) his teammates still fail him. Here, at the free-throw line, two times by Parker and Ilgauskas who are however very good free-throw shooters. I hope Cleveland goes into the playoffs with its current roster.

[Fafnir]

I turned the game off after LeBron hit the second three, I'm p---ed I missed it!

Crazy ending Utah choked the game away hard by missing a ton of free throws and giving up that offensive board. They got bailed out.

[Bankshot]

It was a nice shot..even better since it knocked the Cavs down a notch.

And Utah wore Green . That's really what did CLE in last night.

That's the second time Utah beat Cleveland and both times they were wearing green! lol

I said at the time that the reason Utah beat Cleveland was because they wore their green jerseys. lol  I guess Utah remembered that and wore them again.

Cleveland is afraid of The Green!

[KungPoweChicken]

Very strange game. First, Utah had the game, and they gave it away. Then, Cleveland had they have, and they gave it away. I'm happy for the kid though, Gaines.

[makaveli]

I was surprised that a call-up just a couple weeks ago got to play in that situation, down by two, usually your starters are out there maybe minus a center plus shooter.
Nice shot

[Global Celtic]

I watched this Sundiata kid in the Utah vs Miami game, just days after he was called up, and I tell you: this kid can play. He seemed tough and talented, pretty sure about himself, even if he only had a few NBA practices in him.

I wonder if we could had got something similar from Lester Hudson.

[housecall]

I watched this Sundiata kid in the Utah vs Miami game, just days after he was called up, and I tell you: this kid can play. He seemed tough and talented, pretty sure about himself, even if he only had a few NBA practices in him.

I wonder if we could had got something similar from Lester Hudson.

tp...good point,c'mon Danny get with the program.

[Fafnir]

I watched this Sundiata kid in the Utah vs Miami game, just days after he was called up, and I tell you: this kid can play. He seemed tough and talented, pretty sure about himself, even if he only had a few NBA practices in him.

I wonder if we could had got something similar from Lester Hudson.

tp...good point,c'mon Danny get with the program.

One good game does not make a player productive, let Lester show something similar before we get on Danny about it.

Besides in your scenario Rondo would be in the locker room. Lets not think that way.

[Change]

Sundiata Gaines>Mo Williams