With 26 seconds remaining, Norris had the ball at the top of the key, dribbling, likely looking to set up billion-point-scorer Kiki Vandeweghe. This was not the Atomic Dog’s yard. But Dallas overplayed Vandeweghe and Norris was left with no option but to dribble drive. He got to the rim against rookie Wallace Bryant, used his body to make contact, then laid a sweet extended flip shot softly off the glass for two. Back then, even big guys had touch.
Still, it wasn’t enough. Dallas had the score tied with one possession left, Portland’s ball. The play featured Clyde Drexler driving, a much better option off the bounce than Norris. Drexler penetrated, but couldn’t shake the defense for the winning shot. With the clock ticking like a tyrant, Clyde took the only option he had: dishing the ball to Norris along the baseline for a semi-covered 10-footer. As every analytics guru in the industry prepared to gouge their eyeballs out with Bic pens, Norris rose, launched, and then this…