The Basketball Association of America (NBA) has conjured up countless magical moments in the league's 73-year existence.
We look back at the greatest moments of the NBA.
Michael Jordan and Father's Day
His father, James Jordan was tragically gunned down in North Carolina, USA in July 1993 and a few months later Michael retired from professional basketball at the age of 30.
The Chicago Bulls legend indicated that his father’s death was one of his reasons for retirement, but he returned to the NBA in 1995 when he rejoined his old team, the Chicago Bulls.
Jordan went on to lead the Bulls to the NBA title on Father’s Day in 1996 and this happened to be his first championship since his father's murder.
Jordan reacted very emotionally upon winning the title, including a memorable scene of him crying on the locker room floor with the game ball.
"I can’t even put it into words. I knew he was watching. This was for dad. I’m very happy for him," Jordan said on AP News.
"never doubted that I could get back this moment, and the fact that it happened on Father’s Day makes it even more special."
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The Willis Reed Game in 1970
Due to a severe thigh injury, a torn muscle that had previously kept Reed out of the 1970 NBA Finals game six, the New York Knicks center was considered unlikely to play against Los Angeles Lakers in game seven on May 8.
However, Reed surprised the fans by walking onto the court during warm-ups, prompting widespread applause in Madison Square Garden.
The accomplished player scored the Knicks' first two field goals on his first two shot attempts, his only points of the game.
Following the game in the winner's locker room, a moved American sports journalist Howard Cosell told Reed on national television, "You exemplify the very best that the human spirit can offer."
Kobe Bryant Silences Critics By Demolishing Raptors
The NBA legend had to prove his critics wrong throughout his successful basketball career which saw him clinch five league championships.
Bryant single-handedly destroyed Toronto Raptors in January 2006 when he scored a career-high 81 points for Los Angeles Lakers which left the fans, players and media stunned.
It was the second-highest number of points scored in a game in NBA history, behind only Wilt Chamberlain's 100 point performance.
It is also the highest output for a guard and it is widely regarded as one of the most powerful moments in the history of the league.
Bryant sadly passed away in January 2020 in a helicopter crash.
Lebron James & Cavaliers Achieve The Unthinkable
James led Cleveland Cavaliers to a historic achievement when they stunned the Golden State Warriors during the 2016 NBA finals.
The power forward posted a triple-double and made a number of key plays in game seven as Cleveland emerged victorious, winning the city's first professional sports title in 52 years.
Cleveland became the first team in NBA history to come back from a 3-1 series deficit in the finals.
James, who was very influential for Cleveland, recorded series averages of 29.7 points, 11.3 rebounds, 8.9 assists, 2.3 blocks and 2.6 steals per game.
He also became the first player in league history to lead both teams in all five statistical categories for a playoff round, culminating in a unanimous Finals MVP selection.
“It’s always special going back there and looking up there and look at that banner,” James said on Lakers Nation.
“Think about all the great memories that we had. And then being able to play in front of my friends and family again. That would have been so cool. … I’m kind of bummed out about that.”
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