Everyone’s bound to have their own favorite era of NBA history, but it’s hard not to get excited about the 1990s. Take Michael Jordan, for instance. During the 1996-97 season, Jordan averaged 29.6 points per game, demonstrating his unmatched dominance. The Chicago Bulls, led by Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and Dennis Rodman, went on to win 72 games in the 1995-96 season, setting a new standard for excellence in the league. That record stood until the Golden State Warriors surpassed it by one game in the 2015-16 season when they won 73 games. Talk about a tough act to follow.
When you think about NBA rivalries, Larry Bird vs. Magic Johnson immediately comes to mind. These two icons of the game not only had one of the greatest personal rivalries in sports history but also led two dynasties—the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers. Between 1984 and 1987, Bird’s Celtics and Magic’s Lakers faced off in the NBA Finals three times. Magic got the better of Bird, winning twice (1985 and 1987), while Bird secured a win in 1984. Their rivalry brought unparalleled excitement to the NBA, drawing in millions of viewers and sponsorships.
Ever wonder who holds the record for the most points scored in a single game? It’s Wilt Chamberlain, who scored an unbelievable 100 points on March 2, 1962, against the New York Knicks. Chamberlain’s incredible feat has yet to be matched. Kobe Bryant came close, dropping 81 points in a game against the Toronto Raptors on January 22, 2006. Wilt’s 100-point game remains an iconic moment, one that will likely stand the test of time.
The three-point revolution has changed the game in ways few could have predicted. In the 2015-16 season, Stephen Curry shattered his own record by making 402 three-point shots. To put that into perspective, the entire league’s three-point record for a single team in the 1980s was less than Curry’s individual mark. The analytics movement in basketball, which emphasizes efficiency, particularly in scoring, has helped drive the emphasis on three-pointers. Teams now look to guys like Curry to stretch defenses in ways that were unthinkable just a few decades ago.
Let’s delve into the individual accolades that define greatness. LeBron James, often compared to Michael Jordan, has solidified his legacy with four NBA MVPs and four NBA championships. As of the 2021-22 season, LeBron has also made 13 All-NBA First Teams, setting a high bar for future generations. Some might argue that titles are the ultimate measure of greatness, but career milestones like these speak volumes as well.
Salary caps and player contracts have evolved significantly, affecting team compositions and player movements. In the 2014-15 season, the NBA salary cap was around $63 million. Fast forward to the 2020-21 season, and that number had jumped to $109 million. This increase has allowed teams to sign multiple star players, creating ‘superteams.’ The Brooklyn Nets of 2020-21, featuring Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden, are a prime example. These superteams often spark debates about competitive balance in the league.
Some milestones are simply unbelievable, like Russell Westbrook’s triple-double record. Westbrook broke Oscar Robertson’s long-standing record of 181 career triple-doubles in May 2021. The ‘triple-double’—recording double digits in three statistical categories in a game—was long considered rare, but Westbrook made it a regular occurrence. By the end of the 2020-21 season, he had amassed 184 triple-doubles, redefining what’s possible in the modern NBA.
As the NBA continues to grow, international players have had a notable impact. Luka Dončić and Giannis Antetokounmpo stand out as perfect examples of this global influence. Giannis, hailing from Greece, won the NBA MVP award two years in a row (2019, 2020), while Luka, from Slovenia, has taken the league by storm with his versatile play. Their success underscores the global reach the NBA has achieved, attracting talent from every corner of the world.
Remember Shaquille O’Neal and the way he dominated the paint? In the 1999-2000 season, Shaq averaged 29.7 points and 13.6 rebounds per game. His colossal presence and unmatched physicality made him a force to be reckoned with. That season, he led the Los Angeles Lakers to an NBA title and secured the Finals MVP award. Shaq’s style of play was so overpowering that it prompted rule changes, such as the introduction of zone defenses, to counteract his inside dominance.
Kevin Garnett’s impact on power forwards can’t be overlooked. Garnett broke new ground as a high school player directly entering the NBA in 1995. He influenced a new generation of versatile big men. In his 2003-04 MVP season, Garnett averaged 24.2 points, 13.9 rebounds, and 5.0 assists, showcasing a skill set that bridged the gap between the traditional big man and the more versatile modern player.
The dynamics of the NBA Draft also hold immense importance. Since the introduction of the lottery system in 1985, the draft has shaped team fortunes like no other event. Tim Duncan, the number one pick in 1997, brought five championships to the San Antonio Spurs over his illustrious career. Conversely, the 2013 draft is often cited for its peculiarities, with Anthony Bennett, picked first overall, failing to make a significant impact in the league. Draft selections can alter the trajectories of franchises for better or worse.
If you’re into the intricacies of basketball stats, you’ve probably heard a lot about PER (Player Efficiency Rating). This metric, developed by John Hollinger, tries to condense all of a player’s contributions down to one number. For example, in the 2019-2020 season, Giannis Antetokounmpo recorded a PER of 31.9, one of the highest recorded in a single season. It’s stats like these that provide another layer of understanding of a player’s impact on the game.
From the intense playoff battles to the individual accolades and defining moments, the NBA provides endless material for discussion. Whether it’s debating who’s the greatest of all time, recounting unforgettable seasons, or marveling at statistical anomalies, there’s always something that keeps the conversation alive. And if you want to dive deeper or test your knowledge, why not try an nba quiz?