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Top 10 – The iconic photos of the NBA

There are memories eternally engraved in our memories and there are those who keep them alive. These moments immortalized by talented photographers who still allow us today to dream in front of these moments of life. The CCS basketball editorial team invites you to immerse yourself in key moments in the history of the orange ball through 10 photos that we consider to be iconic. Welcome to the biggest league in the world!

10- The Logo

Wen Roberts

The NBA was in the late 1960s in search of a new logo that could better represent the league. It was Alan Siegel who came up with the idea of ​​using the image of a player to integrate it into the logo. Several names are proposed but it is on Jerry West that the choice of the NBA stops. If the latter is as much sporting as political, the biggest league in the world has just found its logo and will therefore not change it anymore. If they never admitted that it was indeed the former Lakers player represented, the general public knows it. Nevertheless, the NBA did not wish to personify the logo, hence their silence on this subject.

9- 100 points for posterity

Wikipedia

If the photo itself is far from an artistic model, it has the merit of meaning a lot for the small world of the orange ball. That evening of March 2, 1962, the Philadelphia Warriors faced the New York Knicks. In front of a little more than 4000 people, Wilt Chamberlain will achieve the biggest scoring performance in history. 100 point all round. Unfortunately, this game is not even broadcast on television. Only the lucky ones present that evening were able to witness this offensive carnage from within the Warriors. At halftime, Chamberlain was already 41 points behind and a few minutes from time, once the 100 point mark was reached, he stopped playing. He will also say after the meeting: “100 points, that sounds better than 102”. The only memory of this evening is this hastily taken photo, Wilt with a piece of paper in his hands with a 100 scribbled on it. It will remain iconic and even today every basketball fan knows it exists.

8- Kobe’s title

basketballnetwork.net

On June 15, 2001, Kobe Bryant won his second NBA championship title with the Los Angeles Lakers. If the joy is up to the event, part of the player is bruised. Indeed, the Lakers defeat the Philadelphia 76ers in the final. Kobe, from the city of Pennsylvania, shines under the eyes of many supporters. However, his parents are missing. Their tumultuous relationship could be the cause of this trauma immortalized in photo this evening in June. Kobe will say in a very modest way: “it was about my father”.

7- Dream Team 92

Clutch-23

In 1988, the United States suffered a stinging setback when they lost to the USSR in the semifinals of the Olympic Games in Seoul. Winning only the bronze medal, they decide, four years later, to send the heavy artillery to Barcelona. The superstars are all there. If Magic Johnson and Larry Bird are at the end of the 80s, the superstars of the league, they pass the torch to a certain Michael Jordan at the dawn of the 90s. This transfer of power is immortalized by this iconic photo. Obviously, the USA will compete and win Olympic gold.

6- The Bird / Magic rivalry

Getty Images

In the 80s, Larry Bird and Magic Johnson are the bosses of the league. Their respective franchises share the titles and the two players develop an unprecedented rivalry. Very respectful and admiring of each other, they nonetheless remain opponents on the field and their sporting contests are legendary. On the evening of the Larry Bird tribute ceremony which will mark an incredible career, Magic shows up with a Lakers tracksuit. Nevertheless, under this purple and gold tracksuit hides a Boston Celtics t-shirt. Yet another wink symbol of unfailing friendship and eternal respect.

5- Kawhi for the win

Mark Blinch

May 12, 2019. The Toronto Raptors face the Philadelphia Sixers in the Eastern Conference semifinals. After an indecisive series, the teams surrender blow for blow. Considered two of the title favorites, Raptors and Sixers are fighting a fierce battle. No team manages to break away and the score is tight throughout the match. At 4 seconds from the end, Toronto is in front of two small points but Jimmy Butler appears to bring the teams back to equality. Time out Nick Nurse. Possession of the ball is for Toronto. Brilliant until then, Kawhi drive to his right after the throw-in and is beautifully contested by Ben Simmons then Joël Embiid. The shoot is very complicated. The ball rises, bounces off the circle no less than four times before piercing the net. The audience roars, the room is set ablaze and this shot immortalizes one of the most beautiful moments in the history of the Playoffs.

4- The Shot

Getty Images

Let’s stay in the history of the Playoffs with this other great moment of the NBA. Michael Jordan and his armada of the Chicago Bulls (deprived that evening of Scottie Pippen) are opposed to the Cleveland Cavaliers. In the 1988-1989 regular season, Cleveland’s record was much better than Chicago’s. In addition, the Cavs have won their six meetings against the Bulls. Considered to be very promising, the team led by Brad Daugherty, Ron Harper, Mark Price and Larry Nance is up to expectations. The score is tight. Craig Ehlo who defends on MJ trahstalk the whole game. His majesty does not flinch. Ehlo allows the Cavs, three seconds from the end, to come back in front of a small point. The throw-in is for the Bulls who entrust the inflate to Michael Jordan. He goes to his right before returning to the left. The pass is then made to him and he runs in the direction of the opposing basket before stopping dead at the level of the free throw line. Craig Ehlo is completely overwhelmed. MJ stands up and shoots. String! The room is immersed in the silence of a cathedral. Jordan exults and drops a « it’s over ! » mythical. Ehlo’s desperate attitude in the background of the photo as well as Jordan’s celebration show just how important this shoot was.

3- The Block

Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals. LeBron James’ Cleveland Cavaliers are pitted against Stephen Curry’s Golden State Warriors. The teams are 89-89 and Kyrie Irving misses a floatter. Counterattack for the Warriors who rush towards the opposing basket. Late at the start of the action, LeBron James took less than three seconds to cross the field. Opposite, Andre Iguodala feels alone and goes on his right hand to finish in the lay-up. Evil took him! King James comes back at full speed and takes off high, very high to counter the Warriors winger. The ball bounces off the board and Cleveland is still alive. Better still, the Cavs won the title moments later. According to specialists, the counter window was barely two tenths of a second. What accentuates the myth around this action.

2- Michael Jordan’s first title

Andrew D. Bernstein

In 1991, the Chicago Bulls of Michael Jordan appear in the NBA Finals against the Lakers of a certain Magic Johnson. Drafted 3 years earlier, Jordan is the star of tomorrow and the worthy successor of Magic and Larry Bird as headliner of the big league. During this final, His Airness flies over the debates with more than 31 points on average. After losing the first game, the Bulls won the next four to win easily. MJ holds his first title and the emotion is at the height of the investment provided for years. While he’s supposed to be on TV, Michael Jordan is actually in the locker room near the lockers. It is therefore by pure chance that Andrew Bernstein captures this iconic moment when His Majesty holds the trophy accompanied by his father. The latter who has been so present in the player’s career and whose disappearance will have marked Michael Jordan forever on the eve of his 4th title. Small nod to history, digital tools were much less efficient at the time, the photo will not be published until the next day.

1- Welcome to Miami

Morry Gash – Associated Press

On December 6, 2010, during a meeting between the Miami Heat and the Milwaukee Bucks, a moment of history is written. A simple counterattack in a regular season game and yet. After a defensive rebound, the Heat led by Dwyade Wade made their offensive transition. The Florida number 3 goes up the field until he finds himself facing two opponents. He drops his ball to his right with a rebound pass. LEBron James grabs it and slams a big dunk. Morry Gash who is at this moment at the edge of the field will immortalize this moment. Indeed, if the action seems harmless, the resulting photo is not at all. In the background, LeBron is seen dunking while in the foreground, D-Wade is already celebrating without even looking at the conclusion of the action. The latter is revealing of the connection between the two men and of the successes passed under the colors of the Heat. It is, for us, the iconic photo par excellence!

As you will have understood, it was not easy to choose 10 photos to represent the league and its history as there are so many iconic shots. Nevertheless, in a very subjective way, we consider these ten photos to be the ones that have marked our lives as basketball fans and sports fans. This list is not exhaustive and there is no doubt that it will continue to grow day by day.

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