On This Day in Sports History: June 4th

Today in professional sports history marks the anniversary of many memorable milestones and moments in sports. In 2000, the Lakers completed a dramatic comeback over the Trail Blazers in the 2000 WCF, which was capped off by the unforgettable alley-oop from Kobe to Shaq. Exactly five years before that, basketball fans witnessed the Shaq lead the Orlando Magic to a dominant win over the Pacers in Game 7 of the ECF. In addition to Shaq’s dominance, here are the major sports evens and milestones that have occurred on June 4th.

Lakers' Dramatic Comeback of '00 WCF

YEAR: 2000 – Western Conference Finals Game 7

SIGNIFICANCE: Lakers historic 4th Qtr comeback in WCF Game 7 to spark 3-peat (2000-02)

In this exciting Western Conference Finals matchup, the Los Angeles Lakers and the Portland Trail Blazers battled through a long and strenuous seven-game series. Showcasing the chemistry between Kobe-Shaq and Rasheed Wallace-Scottie Pippen, this series represents what basketball fans look forward each and every Postseason. Winning Game 7 by five points, Kobe (25-11-7) and Shaq (18-9-5) guided the Lakers passed Wallace (30-4-1) and the Blazers thanks to an amazing 15-point comeback in the final 10:30 of the fourth quarter, capping off the night with an iconic alley-oop from Bryant to O’Neal.

The dramatic dunk was a beautiful way to restart the Lake Show dynasty, as the LA squad reached their first Finals in a decade. With the help of the dynamic duo, Black Mamba and the Big Shaqtus, the Lakers went on to defeat Reggie Miller (24.3 PPG, 2.7 RPG, and 3.7 APG) and the Pacers (56-26) in the 2000 Finals to bring home the franchise’s first Championship since 1988. The Shaq-Kobe led Lakers went on to win the next two Finals to complete the last 3-peat seen in professional sports.

3OT in '76 NBA Finals Game

YEAR: 1976 – Game 5 of NBA Finals

SIGNIFICANCE: Longest NBA Finals game of all-time

Recorded as the longest NBA Finals game to date, the Boston Celtics defeated the Phoenix Suns in 3OT of Game 5. Slipping by in the 128-126 victory, Jo Jo White (33 points and 9 assists) and Dave Cowens (26 points, 19 rebounds, and 4 assists) led the Celtics through the never-ending matchup. Suns PF Gus Heard also made history, as he set the Finals record by playing 61 minutes on the night.

ORL Magic Win Game 7 of '95 WCF

YEAR: 1995 – Game 7 of ECF

SIGNIFICANCE: SF Dennis Scott set NBA playoff records for most 3PA and 3PM as Magic won 1st ECF

In just their sixth year competing in the Association, the Orlando Magic overpowered the Indiana Pacers to surge into their first NBA Finals appearance. Their All-Star Center Shaquille O’Neal (25 points) dominated in Game 7, but SF Dennis Scott was the true hero of the 1995 series. Scott, who is a career 43.1% 3-point shooter, steamrolled through the ECF as he set the NBA playoff series records with 65 3PA and 28 3PM. Unfortunately, the Magic got swept by Hakeem Olajuwon and the Rockets in the NBA Finals that year. Orlando wouldn’t return to the mid-summer classic again until Dwight Howard led them in 2009.

Birth of the Seattle Seahawks Franchise

YEAR: 1974

SIGNIFICANCE: Seattle was granted an NFL franchise exactly 46 years ago

Among Seattle’s greatest moments in sports history is being granted an NFL franchise. The Seahawks may have won a Super Bowl back in 2014, but the organization struggled through a majority of their seasons in the league. Moving into the 2000s, Seattle became a perennial contender (51-29 from ’03 to ’07) with QB Matt Hasselbeck, RB Shaun Alexander, and HC Mike Holmgren.

Since 2010, the ‘Hawks have gone 100-59-1 (.628), 9-6 in the postseason (.600), have earned four division titles, and have made two Super Bowl appearances, making them one of the best NFL franchises of the decade. To this day, football fans around the world are proud to be members of the Seattle’s 12th man community, which is also the fifth newest organization in the NFL (Carolina & Jacksonville in 1995, Baltimore in 1997, and Houston in 2002).

The Big Unit's 300th Victory

YEAR: 2009

SIGNIFICANCE: Randy Johnson is 1 of 24 MLB pitchers with 300 or more Wins

Randy Johnson is a five-time Cy Young award winner who pitched 22 years in the Bigs, mustering a career ERA of 3.29. Playing for six teams over the course of his historical MLB tenure, Randy Johnson concluded his career by playing with the San Francisco Giants for his last season. On this date eleven years ago, Johnson received his 300th win, a feat only 23 other pitchers have accomplished. Against the Washington Nations, he worked through 6 innings on the mound, striking out two and walking two while giving up no earned-runs. The Big Unit is the last pitcher to accomplish the historical feat as only he, Tom Glavine, Greg Maddux, and Roger Clemens have joined the club in the last 30 years.