Image via Complex Original
The NBA is known for all of its classic moments. When we think of these iconic plays, we remember everything from the athlete who made the spectacular highlight to the poor guy who was on the other end suffering. We will always remember Tyronn Lue for being stepped over by Allen Iverson as well as Horace Grant for being posterized by John Starks. It seems to be a rite of passage, as many players embarrassed on the list have been very successful in the NBA from an individual perspective. From Craig Ehlo to Isiah Thomas, here are The Goats of the NBA's 25 Most Iconic Moments.
25. Bay Poster
Date: 5/11/2007
Matchup: Game 3 WC Semifinals, Jazz @ Warriors
Goat: Andrei Kirilenko
Career years: 2001-11; 2012-Present
Career stats: 745 G, 12.4 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 2.8 APG, 1.4 SPG, 1.9 BPG
The Golden State Warriors were a cinderella story even before Steph Curry stepped on an NBA court. After being the first eight seed to eliminate a first seed in a best of seven series, Golden State faced Utah in the second round. Despite losing the series, Baron Davis made a special moment when he annihilated Andrei Kirilenko on a drive during Game 3 of the 2007 WC Semifinals against the Jazz.
After the dunk, Kirilenko continued his career as a strong and long defender. He left the Jazz and the NBA for the lockout season, came back to Minnesota last year, and signed a deal with Brooklyn this summer.
24. The Dream Shake
Date: 1995 Western Conference Finals
Matchup: Spurs vs. Rockets
Goat: David Robinson
Career Years: 1989-2003
Career Stats: 987 G, 21.1 PPG, 10.6 RPG, 2.5 APG, 1.4 SPG, 3.0 BPG
Regular season MVP trophies are great to have, but the playoffs are where stars are truly born. David Robinson won the MVP of the 1994-95 NBA season. Many people thought Hakeem Olajuwon deserved the trophy. Olajuwon made sure to show the viewing public why he deserved it over Robinson during their 1995 Western Conference Finals matchup. Olajuwon averaged 35.3 PPG, 12.5 RPG, 5 APG, and 4.2 BPG in the six-game series and outclassed David Robinson with his numerous post moves, and fakes.
After the series, Robinson's stock as a clutch performer took a hit, but he did eventually help take the Spurs to two championships as the Robin to Tim Duncan's Batman. He would retire in 2003 after 14 seasons in the NBA.
23. Rock the Baby
Date: 1/5/1983
Matchup: Lakers @ 76ers
Goat: Michael Cooper
Career Years: 1978-90
Career Stats: 873 G, 8.9 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 4.2 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.6 BPG
You know this is an iconic dunk when this is simply a 1983 regular season game against the Lakers. Dr. J was a revolutionary player and plays like this are how he grew his legend. Michael Cooper seemed to realize as soon as he jumped that he made the wrong decision, and decided right away to duck for cover. According to Cooper, he does get a check based off of this piece on ESPN.
But Cooper repeated his claim later in the evening while emceeing the event. He joked with the crowd, saying I tried to clown him. He recounted our exchange, saying that he receives $1,500 every time it airs.
Michael Cooper played his entire career with the Lakers before becoming an assistant coach in the NBA for the Lakers and Denver Nuggets, and a head coach in the WNBA for the Los Angeles Sparks.
22. A.I.'s Step-Over
Date: 6/6/2001
Matchup: Game 1 NBA Finals, 76ers @ Lakers
Goat: Tyronn Lue
Career Years: 1998-2009
Career Stats: 554 G, 8.5 PPG, 1.7 RPG, 3.1 APG
Despite Philadelphia losing in the 2001 NBA Finals against the Lakers, everyone respects the valiant effort put up by Allen Iverson in the series. Iverson had a monster 48-point performance in Game 1 highlighted by his shot over Lue. Iverson talks about the step over and says that him and Lue are best friends now. After his playing career, Lue moved on to a position as Director of Basketball Development for the Celtics. After Doc Rivers moved onto the Clippers this summer, Lue moved from Boston to L.A. to join the Clippers coaching staff.
21. K.J. Lives the Dream
Date: 5/15/1994
Matchup: Game 4 WC Finals, Rockets @ Suns
Goat: Hakeem Olajuwon
Career Years: 1984-2002
Career Stats: 1238 G, 21.8 PPG, 11.1 RPG, 2.5 APG, 1.7 SPG, 3.1 BPG
Hakeem Olajuwon rarely gets posterized, but Kevin Johnson blasted the Dream with a major dunk during Game 4 of the 1994 Western Conference Finals. Phoenix would go on to lose the series 4-3 after having a 3-1 lead. Olajuwon would take the Rockets to a championship that year as well as a title the next season. After that, he played in Houston until 2001 and played one more season in Toronto before retiring. He's now famous for teaching many stars from Kobe Bryant to LeBron James his post moves.
20. A Portland Poster
Date: 6/5/1977
Matchup: Game 6 NBA Finals, 76ers @ Blazers
Goat: Bill Walton
Career Years: 1974-87
Career Stats: 468 G, 13.3 PPG, 10.5 RPG, 3.4 APG, 0.8 SPG, 2.2 BPG
It's hard to find great dunks like when Julius Erving dribbled the length of the court and dunked on Bill Walton's head during the Finals. Portland would go on to win the series and the championship. But Bill Walton would slowly decline as a player due to injuries. He would win another title as the sixth man of the 1986 Boston Celtics. Walton made a name for himself to younger fans with his unique take on the game of basketball during NBC and ESPN broadcasts. He was dropping gems left and right.
19. The Posterization
Date: 4/30/1991
Matchup: Game 1 EC First Round, Bulls @ Knicks
Goat: Patrick Ewing
Career Years: 1985-2002
Career Stats: 1183 G, 21.0 PPG, 9.8 RPG, 1.9 APG, 1.0 SPG, 2.4 BPG
We feel terrible for Patrick Ewing especially when it comes to Michael Jordan's posterization. Jordan was on his way to his first of six championships when he met the Knicks in a 1991 first round matchup that ended in a 3-0 sweep. Charles Oakley and John Starks left Pat out to dry, but Ewing made the mistake of even trying to contest Jordan's foray to the rim.
Ewing was unable to win the big one playing until '02 before becoming an assistant coach. He currently is an assistant for the team Michael Jordan owns, the Charlotte Bobcats. Over/under on how many times Jordan will remind Ewing of this dunk during the 2013-14 season?
18. Squawking Chicken
Date: 5/25/1998
Matchup: Game 4 EC Finals, Bulls @ Pacers
Goat: Michael Jordan
Career Years: 1984-93; 1994-98; 2001-03
Career Stats: 1072 G, 30.1 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 5.3 APG, 2.3 SPG, 0.8 BPG
Michael Jordan and Reggie Miller seemed to have a very competitive rivalry featuring some tightly contested games and an altercation in '93. Reggie was finally able to get one up on Jordan with his slight shove and his curl to an open three-pointer to win Game 4 of the 1998 Eastern Conference Finals. MJ once described playing against Miller as "chicken fighting with a woman." After Reggie's game-winner, Jordan and the Bulls won a tough Game 7, and then went on to beat Utah in the 1998 NBA Finals to end the run of Jordan's Bulls.
17. The Dunk
Date: 5/25/1993
Matchup: Game 2 EC Finals, Bulls @ Knicks
Goat: Horace Grant
Career Years: 1987-2004
Career Stats: 1165 G, 11.2 PPG, 8.1 RPG, 2.2 APG, 1.0 SPG, 1.0 BPG
John Starks captivated Knicks fans when he turned the corner and slammed home a dunk on Horace Grant and Michael Jordan. The dunk occured during Game 2 of the 1993 Eastern Conference Finals and lives on forever in Knicks lore. While we want to act like Starks actually dunked on Jordan, it's safe to say that this was more of a posterization of Grant—but if you ask John, he'll tell you something different. Grant went on to play for Orlando (twice), Los Angeles (twice), and Seattle picking up four rings during his career. Grant retired after the 2003-04 season and hung up the goggles for good. We sorely miss those iconic specs.
16. Memorial Day Miracle
Date: 5/31/1999
Matchup: Game 2 WC Finals, Blazers @ Spurs
Goat: Stacey Augmon
Career Years: 1991-2006
Career Stats: 1001 G, 8.0 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 1.6 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.3 BPG
When it comes to game-winners, the Memorial Day Miracle is in the upper echelon of NBA moments. Sean Elliott's shot was very clutch in helping propel the Spurs to an eventual championship. What stands out to most people is Elliott knocking down that tough corner three over Rasheed Wallace's outstretched arm. However, before that situation even occurs Stacey Augmon goes for the steal on the inbound allowing Elliott to spring free and get a solid look.
If Augmon chooses to play Elliott straight up, maybe he doesn't get that look, and Portland ties up the series 1-1 instead of going back to Portland down 2-0. "The Plastic Man" continued his career after Portland by playing for the Hornets and Magic as a solid defensive ace. He would later join the coaching staff of the Denver Nuggets and is currently an assistant coach for the UNLV Runnin' Rebels basketball team.
15. The Game-Saver
Date: 6/19/1994
Matchup: Game 6 NBA Finals, Knicks @ Rockets
Goat: John Starks
Career Years: 1988-89; 1990-2002
Career Stats: 866 G, 12.5 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 3.6 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.1 BPG
John Starks is a goat for many reasons. After having his shot blocked by The Dream, Starks would follow that game up with a nightmarish 2-18 performance in Game 7 of the 1994 NBA Finals. Starks would go on to play the same role for New York before being traded to Golden State in the deal that brought Latrell Sprewell to the Knicks. Starks would retire in '02 and currently works for the Knicks.
14. The Baseline Move
Date: 5/11/1980
Matchup: Game 4 NBA Finals, Lakers @ 76ers
Goat: Mark Landsberger
Career Years: 1977-84
Career Stats: 437 G, 5.6 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 0.5 APG
Dr. J was tough to contain on the perimeter at his peak. He always was able to find a way to the rim. In this baseline drive against Lakers forward Mark Landsberger during the 1980 NBA Finals, Dr. J gets to a seemingly impossible point of the floor to score. He's still able to find a way to reverse and finish. Landsberger played one season with the Hawks after his tenure in Los Angeles ended in 1983. He left the league and played and overseas for nearly a decade.
13. Eight Points, Nine Seconds
Date: 5/7/1995
Matchup: Game 1 EC Semifinals, Pacers @ Knicks
Goat: Greg Anthony
Career years: 1991-2002
Career stats: 757 G, 7.3 PPG, 1.9 RPG, 4.0 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.1 BPG
The New York Knicks seemed to have game 1 of their 1995 second-round matchup with the Indiana Pacers in the bag. Indiana was down 105-99 with 18.7 seconds left before Reggie Miller went ballistic. Miller knocked down a trey, stole an inbounds pass where Greg Anthony fell down and knocked down another triple. Miller would then hit two free throws after being fouled on a rebound. The Pacers would go on to shock the Knicks by winning the second round matchup.
Greg Anthony would be taken by the Vancouver Grizzlies in the 1995 expansion draft and would play for the Grizzlies, Seattle, Portland, Milwaukeee, and Chicago. Anthony is currently an analyst for NBA TV and is likely on the receiving end of trash talk from fellow analyst Reggie Miller about this moment every day.
12. The Steal & the Finish
Date: 4/10/1962
Matchup: Game 3 NBA Finals, Celtics @ Lakers
Goat: Sam Jones
Career years: 1957-69
Career stats: 871 G, 17.7 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 2.5 APG
The 1962 NBA Finals started the rivalry between the Lakers and Celtics and featured several clutch plays. Jerry West had one clutch moment with his big steal and layup to win game three. Sam Jones' mistake cost Boston the game but didn't cost them the series. Boston was able to win the series in seven games. Sam Jones would play seven more seasons with Boston before retiring. The Hall of Famer finished his career with 10 rings. Yes, 10. #shiningonthesehoes
11. The Shrug
Date: 6/3/1992
Matchup: Game 1 NBA Finals, Blazers @ Bulls
Goat: Clifford Robinson
Career years: 1989-2007
Career stats: 1380 G, 14.2 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 2.2 APG, 1.0 SPG, 1.0 BPG
The NBA Finals are where the unexpected can and will happen. Michael Jordan was never known as a long range marksman, but he became one for a day. Jordan hit six threes in the first half of game one. After hitting his sixth three, Jordan shrugged in what would become a classic sports celebration. Clifford Robinson was in the shot and looked as confused and perplexed as ever after Jordan knocked down his sixth trey. Cliff Robinson went on to have a long and fruitful career in the NBA. Over nearly two decades in the league, he played with Portland, Phoenix, Detroit, Golden State, and New Jersey with no more shrugs coming his way post-1992 NBA Finals.
10. Ralph Sampson's Shocker
Date: 5/21/1986
Matchup: Game 5 WC Finals, Rockets @ Lakers
Goat: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Career years: 1969-89
Career stats: 1560 G, 24.6 PPG, 11.2 RPG, 3.6 APG, 0.9 SPG, 2.6 BPG
As defending-champs the Lakers were clear favorites in their matchup with the Houston Rockets. The Lake Show was surprised when Ralph Sampson's game-winning shot over Kareem Abdul-Jabbar sealed the 1986 Western Conference Finals for Houston in a 4-1 series victory. Sampson's behind-the-back shot is kind of ridiculous and amazing at the same time. Abdul-Jabbar was nearing the end of his historic career, retiring in 1989. Is this the reason they took so long to give the man his damn statue? SMH.
9. LJ's Four-Point Play
Date: 6/5/1999
Matchup: Game 3 EC Finals, Pacers @ Knicks
Goat: Antonio Davis
Career years: 1993-2006
Career stats: 903 G, 10.0 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 1.1 APG, 0.5 SPG, 1.0 BPG
MSG has had some pretty classic moments, and Larry Johnson's four-point play is surely a memorable experience for any Knicks fan. The shot over Antonio Davis helped propel the Knicks to the NBA Finals in their magical 1999 playoff run. After the Pacers lost to New York, Davis was traded to the Toronto Raptors where he made an All-Star team in 2001. Davis played up until 2006 and is probably best known for running into the stands while he was a member of the Knicks. He is currently a basketball analyst for ESPN.
8. Gar Heard's Big Shot in the Greates Game Ever Played
Date: 6/4/1976
Matchup: Game 5 NBA Finals, Suns @ Celtics
Goat: Don Nelson
Career years: 1962-76
Career stats: 1053 G, 10.3 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 1.4 APG
The clip above features easily one of the biggest clutch shots in NBA history. Gar Heard's turnaround jumper over Don Nelson sent game five of the 1976 NBA Finals to triple overtime. While Phoenix ended up losing the game and the series, the shot still is amazing to watch. Nelson finished up his playing in career in Boston before moving on to coaching stints in Milwaukee, Golden State (twice) New York, and Dallas. Whoa Nellie!
7. A Steal by Bird
Date: 5/26/1987
Matchup: Game 5 EC Finals, Celtics @ Pistons
Goat: Isiah Thomas
Career years: 1982-94
Career stats: 926 G, 17.6 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 3.0 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.7 BPG
Isiah Thomas' cost them a chance to take a 3-2 lead back to Detroit. They would go on to lose the series, but it was a stepping stone to the Pistons eventual back-to-back championship run led by Thomas. After his retirement in '94, Thomas moved on to relatively unsuccessful stints as an executive with the Raptors and the Knicks and a coach with the Pacers. The Hall of Fame point guard is currently an analyst for NBA TV.
6. Big Shot Rob Does It Again
Date: 6/19/2005
Matchup: Game 5 NBA Finals, Spurs @ Pistons
Goat: Rasheed Wallace
Career years: 1995-2010; 2012-13
Career stats: 1109 G, 14.4 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 1.8 APG, 1.0 SPG, 1.3 BPG
To this day everyone is baffled at Rasheed Wallace's idea to run to the corner and trap Manu Ginobili. Sheed's gaffe led to a wide open look for one of the most clutch players in NBA history. Did Sheed forget the shot Horry hit in 2002 to complete the sweep of his Portland Trail Blazers? San Antonio went on to win the series in seven games. Detroit went on to make three more Eastern Conference Finals but never made another Finals appearance again. Shows how precious these opportunities really are.
Rasheed Wallace played out the rest of his career with Detroit, Boston, and New York. He retired once after the 2010 NBA Finals and returned with the Knicks before retiring again in 2013. He is now an assistant coach for the Detroit Pistons.
5. Henderson Steals the Ball
Date: 5/31/1984
Matchup: Game 2 NBA Finals, Lakers @ Celtics
Goat: James Worthy
Career years: 1981-94
Career stats: 979 G, 19.2 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 9.3 APG, 1.9 SPG, 0.3 BPG
The Lakers were up 1-0 in Boston with a two-point lead and chance to take a 2-0 lead back to L.A. James Worthy made the mistake of throwing a cross-court pass. Gerald Henderson intercepted the pass and tied the game with a layup. The game went to overtime, the Lakers lost, and would go on to lose the series. He was certainly not Big Game James during that series.
Worthy would rebound helping the Lakers win three championships, taking home the MVP award for the 1988 NBA Finals. Worthy retired in '94 and still works as a broadcaster for the Lakers local pre-game show broadcasts.
4. The Junior Sky Hook
Date: 6/9/1987
Matchup: Game 4 NBA Finals, Lakers @ Celtics
Goat: Kevin McHale
Career sears: 1980-93
Career stats: 971 G, 17.9 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 1.7 APG, 0.4 SPG, 1.7 BPG
Can we really blame Kevin McHale? In Magic & Bird: A Courtship of Rivals, Magic mentions that once he saw Kevin McHale guarding him, he knew he had to take him. Magic drops the unblockable shot and the rest is history. McHale continued his Hall of Fame career in Boston up until retirement in 1993. Afterward, McHale moved to the front office of Minnesota for 13 years before moving on as a coach for the T-Wolves, as well as his current stop in Houston.
3. "Havlicek Stole the Ball"
Date: 4/15/1965
Matchup: Game 7 EC Finals, 76ers @ Celtics
Goat: Hal Greer
Career years: 1958-73
Career stats: 1122 G, 19.2 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 4.0 APG
There is nothing like a dramatic game 7. In the 1965 Eastern Conference Finals, Philadelphia had an opportunity to win the game after being down 110-109, but Hal Greer's inbounds pass was intercepted by John Havlicek to seal the victory. Hal Greer was an elite shooting guard in the NBA. his time with Philadelphia. His mistake cost Philadelphia an opportunity at a title, but he would go on to win a ring with the 76ers in 1967. The Hall of Fame guard retired in 1973.
2. The Shot
Date: 5/17/1993
Matchup: Game 4 EC Semifinals, Bulls @ Cavs
Goat: Craig Ehlo
Career years: 1983-97
Career stats: 873 G, 8.6 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 2.6 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.3 BPG
"The Shot" played a big part in establishing Michael Jordan as a clutch playoff performer during his career. Jordan's game winner over Ehlo helped propel Chicago to an Eastern Conference Finals birth in 1989. His jumper is usually ranked very high on everyone's list as one of the most clutch shots in NBA history. Craig Ehlo went on to continue a long and relatively successful career in the NBA. He retired in '97 and went on to be a television analyst for Gonzaga's basketball team and then would become an assistant coach for Eastern Washington University. Now if only he would stop burning clothes in his driveway.
In an interview with Deadspin, Ehlo explained how his players would still bring up Jordan's game-winner to him when he was coaching at Eastern Washington.
"[At Eastern Washington], we'll go to practice, and the guys will have been watching ESPN Classic the night before, or that Gatorade commercial will come on, and when that happens practice always starts with those guys saying, 'Hey coach, you were on TV last night, I saw your play.' Then it goes into a big whole, you know-I have to tell the story about how the game went. It's a good thing; it's not a bad thing. I think the kids get a real kick out of it."
1. The Final Shot
Date: 6/14/1998
Matchup: Game 6 NBA Finals, Bulls @ Jazz
Goat: Bryon Russell
Career years: 1993-2006
Career stats: 841 G, 7.9 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 1.3 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.2 BPG
As far as theatrics in sports goes, it doesn't get much better than "The Final Shot." After stealing the ball from Karl Malone late in game six of the 1998 NBA Finals, Jordan had the ball in his hand with Bryon Russell guarding him. Jordan dribbled the clock down, made a move and pushed off Russell to get premium space for an open shot. The shot went in, the Bulls won and the rest is history. Jordan would retire and (unfortunately) comeback to play for Washington in a lackluster return to the NBA.
Russell played many years as a complementary player to John Stockton and Karl Malone before moving on to play with MJ in Washington. After one season with the Wizards, Russell played for the Lakers and Nuggets before retiring in 2006. Jordan still remembers the big play. He mentioned Russell during his Hall of Fame speech and Russell responded in an interview with ESPN Outside the Lines where he challenged Jordan to a rematch. We're still waiting for the rematch to happen. The NBA should just set this up right now.
