Shane Battier’s season—and career—ended last weekend in a solemn locker room with emotions he wasn’t expecting.

Battier’s Miami Heat had just lost to the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Finals. For Battier, this swan song of his career didn’t allow him to hold the championship trophy, but he did pick up a piece of hardware that spoke volumes about the years he’s played and what so many of his colleagues think of him.

Battier is one of my favorite players in the NBA. He possesses a grittiness in his defensive play that has consistently fascinated me throughout his thirteen-year career.

When All Else Fails

They know how – and when – to adjust their game plan

It was June 14, 1998. The Chicago Bulls trailed the Utah Jazz 86-83 with 40 seconds remaining in what was game six of the NBA Finals. The Bulls held a 3-2 series advantage.

Michael Jordan took the inbounds pass, went straight to the basket and hit a lay-up over Utah defenders, cutting the deficit to one. The Jazz took the ball down court and passed it to all-star forward Karl Malone. Dennis Rodman was guarding Malone, but Jordan slipped behind Malone and swatted the ball away for a steal.