Video: Jarrett Jack Throws Dorell Wright's Shoe into the Crowd

Benjamin CruzDec 28, 2012

To be able to win in sports, you have to be willing to go the extra mile and do more than just execute on the court or on the field.

In Jarrett Jack's case, going the extra mile meant making sure one of his opponents was missing a key piece of equipment.

With 5:24 left in the second quarter, Philadelphia 76ers forward Dorell Wright slipped and lost his left shoe. As it lay near the free-throw line of Philadelphia's basket, Jack arrived and did what any human being would do in that situation—threw it into the stands. Oh, and he nailed a three-pointer on the next Golden State Warriors offensive possession, adding insult to injury.

"I've seen it before, it's very funny. It's hilarious," said coach Mark Jackson. "It's a guy that's trying to win and thinking the game of basketball. It's a funny play, but it's also a play that says, 'I'm trying to do whatever I have to do to win a game.' I respect it, I appreciate it."

When Jack was asked about the incident, he admitted that while he was trying to be funny, he was also looking out for the safety of everyone on the court.

"I just didn't want anyone to step on it, get hurt. I didn't mean to throw it that far," Jack stated. "I meant to throw it in the crowd—I did that to be funny."

I asked if the Sixers said anything to him about it.

"They said that's some B.S., but they didn't use the abbreviation."

Jack went on to describe his inspiration for the shoe toss: "The first time I saw it, I saw Dwyane Wade do it. It was Mike Bibby's first time coming back to Miami, and his shoe came off, and he took Bibby's shoe and threw it in the crowd. He threw it in the second row, but I put a little bit more air under it."