Biggest events in NBA basketball history

With the outbreak of not Robert COVIDton virus and the cancellation of the nba season until further notice, what NBA related events do you feel have been the biggest newsworthy or breaking events of contemporary times? Here's a list in no particular order

1. Malace in the Palace
Ben Wallace shoves Ron Artest leading to a chain of events that ultimately resulted in Artest finding peace as a championship winning Laker

2. Magic Johnson HIV
Shone a light on the NBA player proclivity off the court. Showed the world that famous rich people can obtain the virus too.

3. Coronavirus/Rudy Golbert suspends the NBA season

4. Michael Jordans comeback 1995. I'm back.

5. Kobe Bryants death

6. John Amaechi - first NBA player to announce he is gay



What are some of your memorable events in NBA world?
 
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May 5, 2006
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David Stern calling out 'With the 2nd pick of the 1984 NBA Draft the Portland Trail Blazers select Sam Bowie'.

More of a moment than an event, but Michael Jordan impacted the league more than anyone in the last 35 years. It's been over 20 years since the Bulls last championship and everyone still knows who they are, despite the fact reached 0 Finals before Jordan and have reached 0 since he retired. In a parallel universe where Jordan goes 2 (or even 1, but Houston wanted a centre and Olajuwon was a superstar) the landscape changes more than any other single player selection. The Bulls could've taken Barkley or Stockton or whoever and we'd still be here in 2020 talking about the reign of Portland or Houston.
 
May 5, 2006
62,726
70,017
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West Coast
LeBron's string pulling moves off court. TV special to announce joining the Heat with D Wade and Bosh, then an essay to announce a return to Cleveland (after they had stunk and stockpiled assets), then off to LA to ship off half the roster in order to team up with AD. It's 100% a players' league now.

Yao Ming being drafted. There already successful overseas players in the NBA but a 7'6'' Chinese guy coming in and being an All Star from his first season was next level.

KD and Boogie joining the Warriors. A 73 win team was unheard of, so an MVP calibre player joining a 73 win team is nuts, and while Cousins was injured most of the time he still prioritised success over short term financial gain. The Warriors were a great side (never got to 70 wins again) but it gave the NBA a headache as they've orchestrated such specific rules around contract values and lengths which don't apply if players are happy to play for well under market value. AD left NOLA, Giannis isn't committed long term to the Bucks.

2004 Olympic Games. 'Muricans love to call winners of domestic competitions "World Champions" so it was pleasing to see them knocked off their perch for once. If some players don't value international basketball that's their prerogative, but every other team that qualifies is itching for a crack at knocking off whoever the US send.
 
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LeBron's string pulling moves off court. TV special to announce joining the Heat with D Wade and Bosh, then an essay to announce a return to Cleveland (after they had stunk and stockpiled assets), then off to LA to ship off half the roster in order to team up with AD. It's 100% a players' league now.

Yao Ming being drafted. There already successful overseas players in the NBA but a 7'6'' Chinese guy coming in and being an All Star from his first season was next level.

KD and Boogie joining the Warriors. A 73 win team was unheard of, so an MVP calibre player joining a 73 win team is nuts, and while Cousins was injured most of the time he still prioritised success over short term financial gain. The Warriors were a great side (never got to 70 wins again) but it gave the NBA a headache as they've orchestrated such specific rules around contract values and lengths which don't apply if players are happy to play for well under market value. AD left NOLA, Giannis isn't committed long term to the Bucks.

2004 Olympic Games. 'Muricans love to call winners of domestic competitions "World Champions" so it was pleasing to see them knocked off their perch for once. If some players don't value international basketball that's their prerogative, but every other team that qualifies is itching for a crack at knocking off whoever the US send.


How the hell did I forget Yao!!?!??!
 
David Stern calling out 'With the 2nd pick of the 1984 NBA Draft the Portland Trail Blazers select Sam Bowie'.

More of a moment than an event, but Michael Jordan impacted the league more than anyone in the last 35 years. It's been over 20 years since the Bulls last championship and everyone still knows who they are, despite the fact reached 0 Finals before Jordan and have reached 0 since he retired. In a parallel universe where Jordan goes 2 (or even 1, but Houston wanted a centre and Olajuwon was a superstar) the landscape changes more than any other single player selection. The Bulls could've taken Barkley or Stockton or whoever and we'd still be here in 2020 talking about the reign of Portland or Houston.

All true, but is it the shoes?
 
David Stern calling out 'With the 2nd pick of the 1984 NBA Draft the Portland Trail Blazers select Sam Bowie'.

More of a moment than an event, but Michael Jordan impacted the league more than anyone in the last 35 years. It's been over 20 years since the Bulls last championship and everyone still knows who they are, despite the fact reached 0 Finals before Jordan and have reached 0 since he retired. In a parallel universe where Jordan goes 2 (or even 1, but Houston wanted a centre and Olajuwon was a superstar) the landscape changes more than any other single player selection. The Bulls could've taken Barkley or Stockton or whoever and we'd still be here in 2020 talking about the reign of Portland or Houston.

Bigs were all the rage, in another time Rockets probably take Jordan as they already had Sampson but twin towers seemed the way to dominate in the 80's. Hakeem was going number 1 no matter who had the pick, including the Bulls. Portland have had a few what if pick selections.
 
Jul 13, 2012
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Bigs were all the rage, in another time Rockets probably take Jordan as they already had Sampson but twin towers seemed the way to dominate in the 80's. Hakeem was going number 1 no matter who had the pick, including the Bulls. Portland have had a few what if pick selections.

Even MJ, one of the most cocky sportsmen ever, said that Hakeem was always number 1 at that point.
 
Even MJ, one of the most cocky sportsmen ever, said that Hakeem was always number 1 at that point.

Apparently Rockets had the option to trade Sampson for pick 2 and Drexler before the draft. They would have then selected Hakeem and Jordan, who knows what happens then with those two and Drexler. Sampson was all but done 4 years later.
 
Jul 13, 2012
43,584
21,001
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Adelaide
Other Teams
Charlotte Hornets, Chelsea, Striker
Apparently Rockets had the option to trade Sampson for pick 2 and Drexler before the draft. They would have then selected Hakeem and Jordan, who knows what happens then with those two and Drexler. Sampson was all but done 4 years later.

Hindsight is 20-20
THe real fail was when Jordan drafted Kaminsky instead of whatever Boston were offering.

Could've really set us up with young assets, but got 1 spud instaed.
 
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