I will never forget Sundiata Gaines, and Jazz fans won't either. The man nicknamed "Yata," was cut loose by the Jazz today, but he will live on in Jazz lore forever.
His Jazz career lasted all of 32 regular season games, but Gaines made one of the most memorable shots in team history. It was so big, it took down a King.
LeBron James and the mighty Cleveland Cavaliers were in town back on January 15th. The Jazz had a comfortable 12-point lead midway through the 4th quarter, when James led the Cavs on a 23-7 run to claim a 4-point lead with 40 seconds left.
After a Ronnie Price 3-pointer, and a Kyle Korver miraculous over-the-backboard shot, the Jazz were within a point. They had the ball with six seconds left, and after C.J. Miles, Korver and Price all touched the ball, it ended up in the hands of Gaines, who was playing with the Idaho Stampede of the NBA Developmental League just two weeks ago.
With no time left to do anything else, Gaines launched up a desperation 3-pointer that hit nothing but the bottom of the net just as the buzzer went off.
The sold out crowd at EnergySolutions Arena erupted in absolute pandemonium. Gaines jumped up on the scorer's table like he had just won the NBA championship. It felt like he did. His teammates, who barely knew how to pronounce his name, mobbed him. The entire arena literally shook. It was the single greatest sports moment I had ever witnessed in person.
Afterwards, the Jazz lockeroom was delirious. Carlos Boozer was shouting, "Yata, Yata, Yata!" Deron Williams, who was injured in the lockeroom at the time of the shot, was running around like a little kid.
Sundiata Gaines became a folk hero that night. But as we all know, basketball is a business. Gaines got caught up in a numbers game, and as the 4th point guard behind Williams, Price and Earl Watson, his number was up.
But while his Jazz career may be over, Sundiata Gaines' incredible moment will never be forgotten.
