#paul-pierce

#paul-pierce

Kobe Bryant's first five shots in his final game were misses, but after hitting a 10-footer, he quickly scored five straight, energizing the crowd.

Scheierman exploded in the third for 14 points, which included four 3-pointers - each seemingly increasing in difficulty, until finally, he lofted a 30-foot rainbow step-back jumper over Goga Bitadze that hit nothing but net in a way that only the best shooters on a heater seem able to achieve.

At one point he made an assist while sprawled on the floor: From his end of the court, he made a one-armed throw to a teammate, who streaked coast-to-coast for a quick bucket. That season ended with an epic showdown in the NCAA championship game against Magic Johnson and Michigan State. Magic got the better of Bird in that game, but the contest had wider repercussions.

Bill Belichick owns one of the most decorated coaching résumés in NFL history, with eight Super Bowl titles - six as the Patriots' head coach. But the legendary coach fell short of becoming first-ballot induction this year, failing to get the 40-out-of-50 votes needed for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2026.

Whether it was Bill Belichick's surly repetition, Ted Williams's ageless ambition, or David Ortiz's unexpectedly poignant f-bomb, New England has enjoyed (or been subjected to) more than its share of memorable quotes in the press. With that in mind, the topic of this year's annual Boston.com March Madness-themed bracket is a simple question: What is the best soundbite in Boston sports history?

No one or nowhere does nostalgia quite like New England, and we have been indulging for the past few days. South Shore, North Shore, down the Cape, the islands, MetroWest, Boston, way inland, and even neighboring states: We are all sitting in multiple inches of snow and celebrating a comeback championship with the Patriots clinching the AFC title, just like the good old days.