Kobe’s 81-point game isn’t the only time Jalen Rose was on the wrong side of NBA/NCAA history. Let’s take a look at 5 ‘other’ moments he may want to forget
The basketball world recently celebrated Kobe Bryant’s 40th birthday. As NBA TV played his iconic 81-point game against the Raptors, I couldn’t help but notice Jalen Rose getting torched throughout the night.
While this isn’t one of the greatest moments in Rose’s career, it wasn’t the only time that he was on the wrong side of basketball history.
1993 NCAA Championship: North Carolina vs. Michigan State
Jalen Rose had a chance to win a national championship in college. With 20 seconds remaining, and Michigan trailing by two in a hard-fought game, Chris Webber dribbled the ball the length of the court.
The refs bailed him out by not calling an obvious travel, but there was no scapegoat when Webber signaled for a timeout with none remaining for the Wolverines. Watch as Jalen breaks down one of the most heartbreaking moments in hoops history:
February 1st 1995: Nuggets vs. Utah Jazz
In front of a sellout crowd in Utah, John Stockton became the NBA’s all-time leader in assists with a pass to none other than Karl Malone. Jalen Rose would witness the moment up close and personal, as he was a rookie on the Denver Nuggets that season.
1998 NBA Finals: Pacers vs. Bulls
Jalen Rose averaged 7.8 points per game in the series, despite being limited to 19 minutes a night. His contribution could have helped the Pacers advance to the NBA Finals, but Michael Jordan shut that down with a memorable Game 7 performance.
2000 NBA Finals: Pacers vs. Lakers
Both the Pacers and Jalen Rose were in the NBA Finals for the first time. Jalen Rose had earned a spot in the starting lineup and was a major factor throughout the series. Although the combination of Rose and Reggie Miller proved deadly, it was nothing that the one-two-punch of Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal couldn’t handle. L.A. would take the series and the title in six games.
It’s not all bad news for Jalen Rose. You have to be pretty good to even be in some of the scenarios he’s endured on the court. His 13-year NBA career included being named to the 1994-1995 All-Rookie Team and a Most Improved Player Award in 2000.
A career average of 14 points ppg and 3.8 assists a night is nothing to scoff at. He’s founded his own high school called the Jalen Rose Leadership Academy and has become an elite television personality as an anchor for ESPN. Despite some devastating losses in his career, it looks like Jalen Rose is still on top.