See the difference between these 2 game winning shots from last night?

There were some very exciting NBA games last night that didn't have to be 2 top teams going at it with each other to get viewers. What I mean is that you expect the Heat-Lakers game on Christmas to create buzz but when the 19-4 Celtics go into MSG and play an instant classic against the beat on bad team Knicks, not to be confused with Jets though both do the same thing, it has to put a smile on your face.

I am accepting defeat as Paul Pierce's shot went through. I do claim that there should've been 0.7 seconds on the clock (maybe even 0.9) as oppose to the 0.4 shown. The clock stops when the ball goes through the hoop and not when it hits the floor. With Amare hitting that miracle 3 pointer, it kinda leaves a bitter taste thinking what is (story of NYer's life!)

But this is a blogplaint and it has to do with a different exciting game from last night. The Spurs were tied with the mediocre T-Wolves and it came down to a final possession. Manu Ginobili took a hop stop dribble and sank a game winning jumper. Very similar to Paul Pierces GW but I found a very striking difference in the styles of taking what is called "a step back jumper".

Here is Ginobilis:

I can't imagine what the definition of a travel is at this point. It seems to be pretty clear that Ginobili picked up the dribble and his left foot comes down and then does the step back hop. If you watch Paul Pierces winner against the Knicks you can see a more clean step back:

Pierce maintains his dribble with his right hand while stepping back and the hop is a continuation of that. However, by Ginobili, it appears he created ALOT of space by simply stepping back then jumping. Seemingly impossible to defend when a player does that and I don't understand why nobody on the T-Wolves cared to argue. The simple theory is that at that point, they realized suffering a defeat like that isn't so bad and helps them get that #1 pick rather than fight about it and acting like you even care about the record. 

The gem that is lacking from the Spurs that we got to see from the Celtics is the post shot celebration. Chad Ochocinco must've texted Pierce after the game "I can give lessons for $400/hr if you want". When your star player hits a GW shot, 99% of the time, the team runs to that player and mobs him. But the Celtics are no typical team, they are a bunch of egomaniac smack talkers who all took their own shots at the Garden crowd.

Heres a picture that captures what I am talking about:

As you can see, Nate, who had absolutely NOTHING to do with the Celtics winning, is still on the floor from completely failing when trying to jump on Pierces back for what seemed like the 10th time. Seriously, how touchy do you think Nate Robinson is in the locker rooms after seeing him like that in public? Garnett, who first grabbed his crotch as if hes guarding it from Nates wondering hands, is bowing to Spike Lee as if to say "Thank you, I avoided an upset and couldnt play a stitch of interior defense but Pierce bailed us out but you know its really ALL ME" and Allen who is just running around looking for someone to hug but couldn't because Pierce and Garnett were too busy checking themselves out in the imaginary mirror. Seriously, if the line "act like you have been there before" ever meant something, its here! Amare hit a 3 pointer that would've been 10 times more dramatic since at home, after Pierces crushing shot, beating a 19-4 rival, yet all he did was run to his bench and jump around with his teammates. (Yes it ended up going under review and overturned but the first instant moments it was called a basket and appeared Amare saved the team) Was anyone else wondering what the hell are these green idiots doing? Pierce spent 2 minutes running laps Santonio Holmes style and Doc Rivers was busy staring at this carnival going on the court. I am pretty sure Pierces lazy eye was still seeing the Boston fans and something told him that he was in front of people that actually like him. 

Looking forward to Friday night seeing if after Wade hits a game winner, if him, lebron and bosh have a threesome on the knicks logo at halfcourt.