The 10 Most Memorable NBA on MLK Day Moments

Image via Complex Original

Year: 2011
Game: Bulls @ Grizzlies

Derrick Rose has accomplished many things in his career. Rose won Rookie of the Year in 2009, MVP in 2011, and has already been named to the NBA All-Star Game three times. However, it was on Martin Luther King Day that the point god recorded his first career triple-double with 22 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds against the Memphis Grizzlies.

Year: 2009
Game: Mavericks @ Sixers

Back in the day, Dirk Nowitzki was that dude. Basically, you couldn't mess with the Diggler and that fadeaway leg kick, especially when the game was on the line, like this contest against the Sixers. Peep the announcer's sad reaction. Oh, you mad?

Year: 2002
Game: Nets @ Mavericks

Even though the Nets fell short against the Mavericks on MLK Day 2002, 113-105, New Jersey's Jason Kidd did have a silver lining moment when he became the sixth-fastest player in NBA history to reach the 5,000 career assist mark. While being called sixth-best doesn't sound impressive, Kidd is behind some good company in: Oscar Robertson (467 games), Magic Johnson (472), John Stockton (483), Isiah Thomas (490) and Kevin Johnson (519).

Year: 2009
Game: Pacers @ Hornets

With David West sidelined due to back injuries, Chris Paul knew he would have to carry his team in their MLK Day match-up with the Pacers. Then, late in the second quarter, Tyson Chandler went down after being hobbled by a sprained left ankle. That's when Paul went off, dropping 27 points, including the game-winning fadeaway three-pointer, giving New Orleans the 103-100 win.

Year: 1990
Game: Bulls @ Knicks

The Knicks and Bulls were tied at 106 with 0:00.1 left in the fourth quarter. Simply put, New York had no chance at scoring the winning basket on the inbounds. That is, before the Trent Tucker Rule, which prevents any regular jumpshot to be attempted on the court if less than three-tenths of a second left on the game or shot clock remain, came into effect. Check out the above video to see how the Knickerbockers' Tucker pulled off the miraculous victory over Chicago.

Year: 2012
Game: Mavericks @ Lakers

After playing a pivotal role in negotiating a new Collective Bargaining Agreement between the NBA and the Player's Union during the league's lengthy lockout, Derek Fisher went back to racking up Ws on the court. Only one month later after helpend end the lockout, he knocked down the game-winning shot against the Mavericks in an offensive struggle of a contest.

Year: 2011
Game: Pacers @ Clippers

Blake Griffin may be known far and wide as a dunker, but on MLK Day 2011, BG set a career-high and a franchise rookie record in points with 47. With a wide array of moves and finishes around the basket, Griffin proved to be more than just a one-trick pony. Now, if only the Clippers could see more of that guy.

Year: 1994
Game: Knicks @ Magic

On Martin Luther King Day 1994, Patrick Ewing made another case why he's one of the best to ever don a Knicks jersey. He became the first New York player to reach the 15,000-point mark for his career after dropping 34 points on the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Year: 2012
Game: Nets @ Clippers

Another embarrassing moment for Kris Humphries? Oh, you don't say. On January 16, 2012, Blake Griffin put "The Incredible Hump" on a sweet poster that has more staying power than his marriage to Kim Kardashian.

Year: 2001
Game: Spurs @ Knicks

On January 15, 2001, the Spurs' Danny Ferry damn near took out the eye of Marcus Camby. While Camby was getting attended to, he suddenly decided to go over to the San Antonio bench to retaliate. But in true Jeff Van Gundy fashion, the then-Knicks coach stepped in and took the hit himself. Van Gundy needed 15 stitches in his head for the blow. Talk about literally taking one for the team.