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<h2>Fast Facts:</h2><ul><li>On September 23rd at 2pm ET we celebrate Legacies </li><li>The pack will include 9 Moment™ NFTs. 7 Moments from the Archive Set, the 8th Moment from Run it Back 1986-87 minted to just 499 that will ever be in existence and the 9th Moment from Run it Back Legacies 1986-87 minted to just 99</li><li>4 Queues - Allowlist queue for selected groups, Priority Queue 1, Priority Queue 2 and General Queue</li><li>450 total packs will be available for purchase at $999 per pack</li><li>Purchase limit of 1 pack per collector</li><li>20 incredible packs in this drop will include the 5th and final Moment from The Anthology: Magic Johnson. A 1 of 32 Legendary Moment of his Baby Skyhook from the 1986-87 Finals. One of the most iconic Moments in NBA History. This Moment will replace the Rare Run it Back Legacies Moment in these special packs.</li></ul><h2>What&#39;s In The Pack</h2><a href="https://nbatopshot.com/listings/pack/run-it-back-legacies-1986-87/moments">View all Moments here</a><h2>Run it Back Legacies 1986-87 Pack Facts: </h2>Price: $999 per pack Number of Moments per pack: 9Edition Sizes of Moments in packs: <ul><li>Archive Set 1986-87: 5,000</li><li>Run it Back 1986-87: 499</li><li>Run it Back Legacies 1986-87: 99</li><li>The Anthology: Magic Johnson: 32</li></ul>Number of Queues: 4<ul><li>Allowlist Queue :  <ul><li>Time: 1pm EDT / 10am PDT on Thursday, September 22nd, 2022</li><li>Allowlist open for 24 hours</li><li>Price: $999</li><li>1 Pack per collector</li></ul></li><li>Priority Queue 1 :  <ul><li>Time: 2pm EDT / 11am PDT on Friday, September 23rd, 2022</li><li>Drop Score Requirement: 1,000,000+</li><li>175 Packs for sale</li><li>Price: $999</li></ul></li><li>Priority Queue 2:  <ul><li>Time: 2:30pm EDT / 11:30am PDT on Friday, September 23rd, 2022</li><li>Drop Score Requirement: 400,000+</li><li>175 Packs for sale</li><li>Price: $999</li></ul></li><li>General Queue :  <ul><li>Time: 3pm EDT / 12pm PDT on Friday, September 23rd, 2022</li><li>Drop Score Requirement: 5,000+</li><li>25 packs (plus anything remaining not sold in the Allowlist)</li><li>Price: $999</li></ul></li></ul>Allowlist: 1 pack per collector in the Allowlist.<ul><li>Run it Back (Series 1) full set holders</li><li>All-Star Classics (Series 3) full set holders</li><li>Deck the Hoops (Series 3) full set holders</li><li>Anthology: Magic Johnson (Series 4) full set holders</li></ul>

On September 23, we celebrate Legacies with the first-ever Legendary Run It Back Moments, featuring the Top Shot Debuts of Hakeem Olajuwon, Dominique Wilkins, Isiah Thomas, Kevin McHale and James Worthy. 

Run It Back: Legacies is an exciting new chapter in the story of Run It Back, reserved for truly legendary performances from some of the game’s most respected and accomplished to ever step foot on the court. 

20 lucky collectors who open an 86-87 Run It Back: Legacies Pack will find a Legendary Magic Johnson Anthology Baby Hook Moment inside. 


Run it Back Legacies 1986-87

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Run it Back Legacies 1986 - 87

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Run it Back Legacies 1986-87 

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Originally released in 2022, these Legendary Packs feature 9 incredible Moments from the 1986-87 NBA seasons, including Legendary Top Shot Debuts of Isiah Thomas, Hakeem Olajuwon, James Worthy, Kavin McHale, or Dominique Wilkins. Each Pack includes 1 Legendary Legacies Moment, 1 Rare Run It Back Moment, and 7 Archive Set Moments. 
<a href="https://nbatopshot.com/listings/pack/run-it-back-legacies-1986-87/moments" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Pack Contents</a>

It’s the greatest rivalry in professional sports for a reason. Down by a single point in the closing seconds of Game 4 of the 1987 NBA Finals, was there ever a doubt who would play the role of hero for the Los Angeles Lakers? En route to his third Finals MVP award, Johnson makes the impossible look routine, securing an inbound pass in a hostile Boston Garden. After a quick pump fake in the corner, the 12-time All-Star puts the ball on the floor, maneuvering his way into the lane to unfurl a flawless baby hook shot despite the efforts of three Boston Celtics defenders attempting to deny the iconic moment. The dagger – instantly immortalized as the joyful superstar’s ‘junior junior skyhook’ – sealed the Lakers’ 107-106 victory, giving them a commanding 3-1 series lead in the ultimate series. Five days later Johnson would secure his fourth of five championship rings - and his final championship victory over his longtime rival.

Magic Johnson

Any team foolish enough to underestimate Isiah Thomas’ win-at-all-costs mentality would often come to regret  it - but it’s the joy with which he celebrated this win in particular that’s stood the test of time. Down by one in the waning seconds of Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals, one of the best facilitators in league history enters go-mode, deciding to take on all comers and finish the job himself. In three dribbles, Thomas slices and dices his way through the heart of a tough Atlanta Hawks defense, confronting a double team at the rim and somehow converting an acrobatic layup just ahead of the final buzzer. The two-time champion and future Hall of Famer — as well as Detroit’s franchise leader in points, assists and steals — refused to be denied, tallying 31 points, three rebounds, three assists and three steals in the Pistons’ thrilling 89-88 victory at the Silverdome on May 10, 1987.

Isiah Thomas

We all called him ‘The Dream’ but that doesn’t mean Hakeem Olajuwon wasn’t a total nightmare for the teams he lined up against. With an unbelievable combination of size, mobility and skill, the 12-time All-Star racked up performances that live in a class of their own even to this day. Granted striking space against the Seattle SuperSonics, Olajuwon puts the ball on the floor just inside the three-point line before parlaying his body length into a silky smooth Dream Shake that culminates in a successful runner in the lane. Olajuwon did so much more than just score in this one — in fact, the legend would go on to record the first 5x5 triple-double in NBA history, posting a monster stat line of 38 points, 17 rebounds, 12 blocks, seven steals and six assists on March 10, 1987. Except for Olajuwon himself in 1990, no other player has hit the same milestone in the 35 years since.

Hakeem Olajuwon

He wasn’t known as ‘Big Game James’ by accident. In a momentum-shifting turn of events in Game 6 of the NBA Finals, James Worthy affirms his nickname, first coming up with a critical steal before scrambling to save the loose ball and diving on the floor to keep it from careening out of bounds. With a perfectly-executed flick of his left hand, the practically horizontal Worthy deflects the rock to an all-alone Magic Johnson, who streaks down the floor to finish the job with an iconic slam. The Boston Celtics never recovered in the pivotal matchup, as the seven-time All-Star and future Hall of Famer earned his second of three championship rings, posting 22 points, seven rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocks in the June 14, 1987 win.

James Worthy

A seven-time All-Star also named three times to the NBA All-Defensive First Team, Kevin McHale was renowned for his legendary chops on both sides of the ball. Hobbled by both a sprained ankle and broken foot – and wearing the walking boot to show for it – McHale’s toughness was on full display during Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Despite his limitations, McHale lays it all on the line sprinting to the corner to chase down an offensive rebound and save it from going out of bounds, then getting himself back into position, calling for the rock and driving hard to the baseline for a rim-rattling slam. The 1987 All-NBA First Team selection and future Hall of Famer – enjoying the most dominant individual season of his career – managed to post 26 points and 15 rebounds in the 119-113 closeout win over the Milwaukee Bucks on May 17, 1987.

Kevin McHale

Scoring a career-high in points is a good time, punctuating the performance with a signature highlight reel windmill is timeless. Showing the relentless drive for the ball that made him one of his generation’s greatest scorers, Dominique Wilkins proves he could do damage on both ends of the court, disrupting two Chicago Bulls passes before coming up with a steal at halfcourt. The nine-time All-Star’s length does the rest, finessing his way in front of a defender and gliding all alone toward the basket for an authoritative jam. Wilkins was unstoppable in one of the best games of his career, pouring in an eye-popping 57 points — converting 19 of 28 field goals and 19 of 21 free throws — to go along with nine rebounds, four assists and two steals in the Atlanta Hawks’ 123-95 triumph on December 10, 1986.

Dominique Wilkins

In his legendary Hall of Fame career, everything Magic Johnson touched exhibited greatness. Making even the most impossible plays seem effortless, Johnson grabs a rebound against the Denver Nuggets in Game 1 of the First Round, then fires a one-handed Hail Mary-style heave the full length of the court, hitting nothing but net. Even in his eighth season, the 12-time All-Star and five-time champion still had the ability to wow everyone in attendance, finishing the Los Angeles Lakers’ playoff-opener with 16 points, seven rebounds and 14 assists in a 128-95 victory on April 23, 1987.

Long before Patrick Ewing became a Hall of Fame center, opposing defenses were still finding out the hard way that double and triple teams did little to slow down the legendary New York Knicks big man. In just his second season — the second of 13 consecutive campaigns in which he averaged at least 20 points per game — Ewing catches an entry pass in the post with his back to the basket and three Atlanta Hawks defenders draped all over him. The 11-time All-Star patiently waits for the right moment to strike, pivoting around the defensive wall and posterizing one unfortunate Atlanta challenger with an authoritative one-handed slam. Ewing torched the Hawks for 43 points on 16-for-20 shooting and added six rebounds, two assists and three blocks on December 13, 1986.

Patrick Ewing

In the annals of NBA history, countless players have earned catchy nicknames, but few were more spot on than Clyde Drexler’s. Known to many as ‘The Glide’ for his seemingly effortless and graceful strides to the basket, the Portland Trail Blazers legend and Hall of Famer reminds the Dallas Mavericks of his prowess. Following a rejection on the defensive end, Portland pushes the counterattack, with Drexler using his quickness to get behind the entire defense in transition, finishing with an emphatic one-handed slam. It was a routinely spectacular night at the office for Drexler, who produced 24 points, six rebounds and eight assists on December 10, 1986.

Clyde Drexler

Over the course of a legendary 18-year career, the one we called ‘The Mailman’ had a tendency to deliver. Rewinding all the way back to his second season, Karl Malone showcases his innate ability to always be in the right place at the perfect time, trailing the play as a Utah Jazz teammate takes on three Golden State Warriors in transition. When the ball handler decides on an acrobatic pass at the last moment, Malone is there to receive the dump off, finishing with a powerfully uncontested two-handed slam. In the type of performance that would become routine over time, Malone contributed 20 points, 10 rebounds and three steals in Utah’s 99-85 playoff-opening win on April 23, 1987.

Karl Malone

Superstar players spend their entire career making defenders look foolish but what about when the tables are turned? Hot Rod Williams, a fearless rookie that doesn’t back down, shows exactly that. Rising high in the lane to emphatically deny a legend’s finger roll, the first-year forward becomes the catalyst for a subsequent Cleveland Cavaliers transition opportunity. A member of the All-Rookie First Team that season, Williams was a force to be reckoned with on both ends of the court, tallying 24 points, 10 rebounds, two assists and three blocks in the overtime battle against the Boston Celtics on January 16, 1987.

Hot Rod Williams

Due to the dynamic star power of the 1986-87 Los Angeles Lakers, it’s understandable that the contributions of its role players are occasionally overlooked. That being said, it’s hard to win four championships without the support of guys like Kurt Rambis. The power forward demonstrates his value in Game 2 of the NBA Finals, finding some open space in the lane thanks to the extra attention paid to his star-studded teammates. As soon as Rambis’ defender fixes his eyes elsewhere, a teammate whips a pass into the post, where Rambis is dutifully waiting to gobble the ball up and slam it home past the Boston Celtics. Rambis produced eight points, five rebounds and two assists in 20 efficient minutes off the bench, helping the Lakers to a 141-122 victory and a 2-0 series lead on June 4, 1987.

Kurt Rambis

No matter the era of hoops, few plays get fans out of their seats quite like a poster dunk. Pushing the tempo in transition in a 3-on-2 advantage, Byron Scott runs parallel to the ball handler as the play develops, waiting for the defense to collapse. When the moment arrives, Scott receives an opportune bounce pass and takes care of the rest, soaring into the air for a one-handed slam while putting a helpless Golden State Warriors defender on his backside. Scott had a huge Game 4 of the Western Conference Semifinals, tallying 28 points, seven rebounds and two assists on May 10, 1987, and would ultimately earn his second of three championship rings later that postseason.

Byron Scott

In a season where he was named NBA Defensive Player of the Year, Michael Cooper was quick to remind opponents of his equally dynamic offensive skill set. First displaying those chops that earned him selections on five NBA All-Defensive First Teams, the longtime Los Angeles Lakers wing uses his length to deflect a pass. Scooping up the steal, Cooper finds himself alone with the basket, opting to throw down a two-handed reverse jam to the delight of an awestruck home crowd. The New York Knicks were no match for the Lakers and Cooper, who put together a 15-point performance on an efficient 6-for-7 shooting to pair with four assists and three steals in the 111-88 win on November 9, 1986.

Michael Cooper

Robert Parish was the quintessential fundamentally-sound center: he could score, rebound, run the floor, set screens and, of course, block shots. Along with teammates Larry Bird and Kevin McHale, Parish was a key cog in one of the first truly dominant NBA frontcourts, making seven consecutive All-Star teams from 1981-87. Injured but committed to the cause in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals, Parish showcases his fierce defensive prowess, using quick footwork to stay close to a Milwaukee Bucks ball handler before ambushing him with a thunderous rejection out to the sideline. The four-time NBA champion played a pivotal role in Boston’s 119-113 closeout victory on May 17, 1987, delivering 23 points, 19 rebounds and four blocks.

Robert Parish

Postseason heroes are rewarded eternal immortality in Boston — just ask Danny Ainge. Showing he has a nose for big moments, the Celtics fan favorite catches an outlet pass with the clock winding down. With no time or other options remaining, Ainge takes one dribble just over the halfcourt line and buries a one-handed desperation heave as time in the first half expires. The expert marksman was on point in Game 5 of the NBA Finals, converting 7 of 11 field goals — 5-for-6 beyond the arc — for 21 points, four rebounds, six assists and two steals in Boston’s 123-108 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on June 11, 1987.

Danny Ainge

At 7-foot-7, Manute Bol never met a hopeful scorer he couldn’t deny at the rim. As one of the tallest players in NBA history, the top-20 career blocker does what he did best in one of the singular most impressive performances of his fascinating career: park himself beneath the basket and dare scorers to challenge his domain. Barely needing to leave the floor to jump, the Washington Bullets big man goes up effortlessly strong to reject an Indiana Pacers shot. In the only triple-double of his 10-year career, Bol posted an electric stat line of 10 points, 19 rebounds and 15 blocks — the latter being tied for the second-most swats in a single game in league history — leading Washington to a 100-94 win on February 26, 1987.

Manute Bol

Mark Price was known as an deadeye marksman in his 12 NBA seasons — he shot .472 from the field, won two three-point contests and is one of the best foul shooters in league history. But that wasn’t the only way Price could deal damage and the Los Angeles Lakers found that out the hard way. With his ability to break down the defense off the dribble, the longtime Cleveland Cavaliers guard showcases his enviable handle in the open court, confronting a defender one-on-one and badly fooling him with a head-turning, behind-the-back crossover before finishing at the rim. Price made a significant impact even as a rookie, coming off the bench to score 18 points on 9-for-12 shooting to pair with three rebounds and three assists on March 7, 1987.

Mark Price

Alex English was such a gifted scorer that even fouling him was ineffective. The Milwaukee Bucks discover that the hard way, when English muscles his way toward the basket with a defender positioned in front of him. Unbothered, the eight-time All-Star absorbs contact in the post while pushing a shot attempt toward the rim with both hands, somehow willing the difficult shot to fall. This became a theme of the night, as the Denver Nuggets legend connected on 19 of his 25 field goals en route to 46 points, four rebounds and 10 assists in the 132-122 triumph on January 24, 1987.

Alex English

In a marathon game decided by four overtimes, you better be ready to reach deep into the bag of tricks to display your full arsenal of shots. Joe Barry Carroll was happy to oblige, catching a pass in the post with his back to the basket before flicking an impossible-to-defend hook shot over the outstretched fingertips of a New Jersey Nets defender. In the midst of his second stint with the Golden State Warriors, Carroll played 55 minutes that night — and would play in his lone All-Star Game a few days later — scoring 43 points while racking up 24 rebounds, six assists, three steals and four blocks in a grueling 150-147 victory on February 1, 1987.

Joe Barry Carroll

When opportunity knocks, knock back. Doc Rivers does just that when a double team surrounds a teammate in the post. After catching a bailout pass in the paint, Rivers wastes no time making the most of it, rising up for a thunderous one-handed slam over a much-taller Detroit Pistons defender. Rivers was resourceful with his chances, contributing six points, eight assists, two steals and two blocks in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals on May 8, 1987.

Doc Rivers

One of the best ways to stick in the NBA is to find multiple ways to score. In his rookie season, Jeff Hornacek gives the Detroit Pistons defense a preview of what’s to come, first proving to be deadly in open space and converting on a difficult underhanded scoop shot. Then, after a heady Phoenix Suns teammate deflects the ensuing inbound pass, Hornacek strikes again, collecting the loose ball along the baseline and throwing up a prayer while falling out of bounds from behind the basket. The one-time All-Star and two-time Three-Point Contest champion had the crowd on its feet, posting 10 points, four rebounds and two assists off the bench to help the Suns prevail 120-118 on January 26, 1987.

Jeff Hornacek

Charles Oakley played the game with a renowned tough-nosed edginess, averaging double-digit rebounds six times in his career. Oakley’s brutish enforcer style was a nightmare for opponents to deal with, as his sheer willpower and refusal to be denied often led to second chance points. Playing in his second season, Oakley provides the Cleveland Cavaliers a preview of what’s to come, confronting two defenders at the rim for a layup attempt that is swatted away. Never one to give up easily, the Chicago Bulls forward tries again, wrestling control of his own miss and converting underneath while drawing a foul. Oakley — who led the league in total rebounds that season — exasperated the Cavs all game to the tune of 15 points, 12 rebounds, six assists and three steals in his squad’s convincing 117-96 victory on January 23, 1987.

Charles Oakley

You don’t become an NBA champion five times in 16 years without fully understanding the benefits of teamwork and relentless defense. Ron Harper recognized instantly as a rookie that doing the little things right separates good players from legends, turning a routine defensive possession into a pure hustle play. Eyeing a teammate in the post who drew the unfortunate assignment of guarding a Boston Celtics legend, Harper’s basketball instincts take over, drifting into the low block with unselfish help defense and swatting the shot from behind. Harper made significant impacts on both ends, finishing with 30 points, seven rebounds, nine assists, two blocks and a steal on January 16, 1987.

Ron Harper

As both a legendary passer and defender, Maurice Cheeks was a nightly threat to post an unorthodox triple-double. The longtime Philadelphia 76er puts both skills on display, first dislodging a steal on the defensive end and racing the other way in transition. Pushing the ball up the floor at a frenetic pace, Cheeks —in his second of three straight All-Star selections — confronts two defenders in the lane before making the decision to dish a graceful touch pass to a waiting teammate. The four-time NBA All-Defensive first team member tormented the San Antonio Spurs with his patented two-way attack, tallying 17 points, 18 assists and eight steals in his squad’s 114-97 triumph on November 7, 1986.

Maurice Cheeks

Fat Lever was a triple-double threat every time he laced up his high-tops, as his multifaceted attack could beat you in any number of ways. In Game 2 of the First Round, Lever was a handful for the star-studded Los Angeles Lakers to deal with — despite an elite defender glued to his every move, Lever still somehow whips a missile of a pass from outside the arc into the waiting arms of a Denver Nuggets teammate, who finishes underneath with a layup. The two-time All-Star’s versatile skill set was on display all night, carving up the Lakers for 26 points, 10 rebounds, nine assists and three steals on April 25, 1987.

Fat Lever

While toughness and rebounding were his calling cards, Bill Laimbeer did so much more over the course of his legendary 13-year run with the Detroit Pistons. Showing off a multifaceted skill set on the biggest stage, Laimbeer ferociously denies an entry pass by grabbing a steal against the Boston Celtics, beginning the counterattack. The Pistons push the tempo into the post, allowing the four-time All-Star and two-time champion to assert himself on the low block by muscling his way to a layup over an overmatched Celtics defender. The versatile Laimbeer — who started every Detroit game for six straight seasons in the 1980s — was as dependable as ever for Detroit, posting 16 points, 14 rebounds, six assists and two steals in Game 5 of the 1987 Eastern Conference Finals on May 26, 1987.

Bill Laimbeer

While all shots inside the arc are worth the same on the scoreboard, some just hit different. Gerald Wilkins puts this to the test, first pump-faking an initial defender out of his shoes before weaving his way into the lane and executing a jaw-dropping, one-handed reverse slam over another overmatched Indiana Pacers challenger. Wilkins erupted for 34 points off the bench, while adding five rebounds and six assists in the New York Knicks’ thrilling 111-105 overtime victory on March 19, 1987.

Gerald Wilkins

On second thought, let’s try that again! Enveloped by a double team, Michael Cage passes out of the post to a teammate behind the arc before immediately calling for the ball again. This time, the LA Clippers big man takes on all challengers, catching the re-entry pass with his back to the basket before making his move and converting a one-handed flip shot while drawing the foul. Cage barely missed in this one, connecting on 8 of 10 field goals while going 8-for-9 at the stripe on his way to 24 points, 13 rebounds and two blocks in his squad’s 111-101 win on March 25, 1987.

Michael Cage

With his Golden State Warriors on the verge of postseason elimination, it was the man they called Sleepy who refused to turn off the lights. In his lone All-Star season, Sleepy Floyd shows why he was deserving of such an honor, slicing and dicing his way through the star-studded Los Angeles Lakers defense en route to a stylish layup in Game 4 of the Western Conference Semifinals. Although the Lakers would go on to win the series in the next game, Floyd kept Golden State breathing with the game of his life — a career-high 51 points on 18-for-26 shooting, while adding 10 assists, three rebounds and four steals in the 129-121 triumph on May 10, 1987.

Sleepy Floyd

Having a crucial reserve who possesses a starter's talent is a cheat code for any NBA squad. Ricky Pierce was twice named Sixth Man of the Year in his career, including the 1986-87 season, and it’s not difficult to comprehend why. Sizing up his defender, the longtime Milwaukee Bucks guard makes his move, first stutter-stepping right and then putting the ball on the floor with his left before finally changing direction one last time and converting a right-handed finger roll while absorbing contact for the and-one opportunity. Pierce was his usual productive self off the bench, scoring 23 points on 11-for-15 shooting in Milwaukee’s 111-104 win against the Cleveland Cavaliers on March 14, 1987.

Ricky Pierce

Despite getting his professional career started in the 1980s, the 6-foot-10 Tom Chambers possessed several characteristics of modern NBA big men. One of those qualities was the ability to swiftly run the floor and finish above the rim, something he proudly displays here against the Philadelphia 76ers. As a teammate leads a transition attack, Chambers dutifully glides alongside him. Catching a pass on the right elbow, Chambers takes one dribble into the paint before finishing with an over-the-shoulder tomahawk jam through contact. It was a strong performance in Chambers’ first of four All-Star seasons — he also was named MVP of that contest — as his 22-point, three-rebound, six-assist showing was critical for the Seattle SuperSonics on January 21, 1987.

Tom Chambers

Despite the fact that he started just eight games during the 1986-87 season, Vinnie Johnson was still the Detroit Pistons’ third-leading scorer, earning his nickname ‘The Microwave’ with his ability to instantly heat up when called upon. The sixth-man extraordinaire wastes no time in cooking the Dallas Mavericks, starting the possession atop the key before making his move, blowing by three helpless defenders and finishing at the rim while earning the chance for a three-point play. The two-time champion was in the zone all night, scoring 28 points off the bench in a 125-115 victory on March 6, 1987.

Vinnie Johnson

Power forwards who can put the ball on the floor unlock an entirely new level of opportunities. Terry Cummings forces the Dallas Mavericks to pick their poison, surveying the scene in the halfcourt offense before driving strong toward the basket, seemingly hunting for a layup in traffic. Then, while in mid-air, the Milwaukee Bucks mainstay changes course, deciding to whip an acrobatic pass around his defender to a wide open teammate, who finishes the job by burying a jumper. The two-time All-Star fooled the defense all game, tallying 39 points, 15 rebounds, 10 assists and six steals in the overtime contest on January 16, 1987.

Terry Cummings

Anyone who thinks efficiency was boring probably never saw Adrian Dantley play. Knowing that his Detroit Pistons frontcourt mates were skilled at gobbling up defensive rebounds, Dantley instinctively races the other way in anticipation of a Philadelphia 76ers miss. After catching a long outlet pass, the six-time All-Star adds some razzle dazzle to a routine finish, badly fooling the lone defender left in front of him by wrapping the ball around his back and capping the play with a stylish deuce. A bonafide scorer, Dantley was his normal efficient self, posting 27 points, four rebounds and four assists in his squad’s 120-110 road triumph on November 21, 1986.

Adrian Dantley

When you’re in the zone offensively, even the impossible shots can be made to look routine. Xavier McDaniel waits patiently for his moment as a Seattle SuperSonics teammate receives a pass in the post, attempting to bulldoze his way through two defenders in the lane for a layup. When the shot fails, McDaniel arrives, snaring the offensive rebound in traffic. Relying on his senses and muscle memory with his back to the basket, he flips the ball over his head with both hands, magically getting the no-look shot to fall. It was a truly special night for the Seattle forward, posting 35 points and 14 rebounds in a 108-100 triumph over the New Jersey Nets on February 2, 1987.

Xavier McDaniel

Confidence, baby. Confidence. On many nights, despite the defense’s best efforts, Rolando Blackman would not be denied. Shaking himself free from a one-on-one matchup at the top of the key, the longtime Dallas Mavericks shooting guard surveys his options before realizing that the best chance for a bucket rests on his shoulders. Blackman takes one dribble into the lane before sheer instinct takes over, rising high into the air for a picture perfect finger roll. The New York Knicks had zero answers for the four-time All-Star’s efficiency, as Blackman converted 12 of 18 field goals and 17 of 19 free throws on his way to a 41-point, four-rebound, six-assist effort in a 108-103 victory on January 13, 1987.

Rolando Blackman

Elite ball handlers like Derek Harper need little more than a blink of the eye to make a defense look lost in the woods. Before the New York Knicks have a chance to react, Harper already has them beat, catching an outlet pass at halfcourt. Faking a behind-the-back pass to a teammate, Harper changes course at the same moment, instead deciding to rise up just inside the foul line for a barely-contested layup. Despite having two defenders in front of him, Harper conquers both in a split second, with the fake out part of his 17-point performance that also included three rebounds, seven assists, two steals and two blocks in a 108-103 road win for the Dallas Mavericks on January 13, 1987.

Derek Harper

You don’t rack up three individual seasons of 2,000 or more points without an innate sense of how to put the ball in the hoop. High-scoring Portland Trail Blazers forward Kiki Vandeweghe, a walking bucket, knew exactly how to take matters into his own hands. Diving strong toward the basket after a broken play, the two-time All-Star converts a one-handed double-clutch layup over the outstretched fingertips of two Houston Rockets defenders. Vandeweghe scored a team-high 30 points in the April 24, 1987 playoff battle.

Kiki Vandeweghe

Even at seven feet tall, Brad Daugherty had a knack for dodging opposing defenses until it was too late for anyone to recover. Following a Cleveland Cavaliers rebound and outlet pass from a teammate, the top pick in the 1986 NBA Draft appears all alone in the frame, having positioned himself behind the entire Sacramento Kings defense. The rest comes easy, as the rookie throws down a thunderous one-handed jam, wasting no time announcing his imposing presence to the rest of the league. The five-time All-Star produced an unforgettable performance, dominating to the tune of 33 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists while helping Cleveland prevail in the 129-119 win on February 18, 1987.

Brad Daugherty

Somebody should have warned the Los Angeles Lakers not to stand on the tracks when a train is coming. Barreling toward — and ultimately through — the station, Mark Aguirre pushes the tempo downhill, taking on all comers and putting one unfortunate defender on his back while rising high for a full-extension layup. Bringing his best into a star-studded showdown with the Lakers, the three-time All-Star and two-time NBA champion delivered 35 points and four rebounds in a 132-117 Dallas Mavericks victory on January 24, 1987.

Mark Aguirre

Terry Porter ranks in the top-20 all-time with over 7,000 career assists — but that doesn’t mean he ever shied away from taking a big shot with the game on the line. In a matchup ultimately decided by overtime, the Portland Trail Blazers legendary point guard showcases his nose for big moments, trailing a dribbling teammate in transition before catching a running pass in the lane and going up strong for the game-tying layup. Porter’s clutch bucket — and 15-point, six-rebound, 16-assist performance — helped his squad prevail in a 145-141 thriller against the Denver Nuggets on January 26, 1987.

Terry Porter

As the winner of the inaugural Slam Dunk Contest in 1984, it was already a well-established fact that Larry Nance made magic anytime he took flight. Even without dunking the basketball, the longtime Phoenix Suns forward leaves the crowd awestruck, managing to find himself all alone between the rim and Washington Bullets defense. Nance catches the eye of a teammate atop the key, then leaps up to catch the ball in midair before finishing with an acrobatic up-and-under reverse layup. A model of consistency, the three-time All-Star averaged double-digit points for 12 straight seasons, with 1986-87 topping the list at 22.5 points per game. Against the Bullets, Nance went for 19 points, nine rebounds and three blocks in the January 23, 1987 contest.

Larry Nance

Every now and again, a rookie with a veteran’s chops emerges to take the league by storm. After the Indiana Pacers made him the fourth overall pick in the 1986 NBA Draft, Chuck Person made an immediate impact on both ends of the court. In his squad’s playoff-opener, Person trails a hopeful Atlanta Hawks scorer into the paint, timing his jump perfectly to earn an authoritative rejection off the glass. The 1986-87 Rookie of the Year produced an all-around solid performance, contributing 21 points, four rebounds, five assists, three steals and that block on April 24, 1987.

Chuck Person

Sometimes a simple change of scenery is all a player needs to realize his true potential. After spending his first three seasons with the Dallas Mavericks averaging single digits in scoring, Dale Ellis exhibited one of the league’s most dramatic year-to-year improvements as soon as he was traded to the Pacific Northwest. Making it easy to understand why the Seattle SuperSonics guard would ultimately earn the NBA’s Most Improved Player award that season, Ellis wastes little time asserting his postseason dominance against his former squad, driving hard into the lane to allude one defender before unfurling a finger roll over another. Ellis was in complete control in Game 3 of the First Round, guiding his No. 7 seed squad to a 2-1 series lead (and eventual series win) to the tune of 43 points and 14 rebounds — eight offensive — in Seattle’s 117-107 win on April 28, 1987.

Dale Ellis

When the 1986-87 season commenced, Mark Eaton had already led the league in blocks twice, including a 5.6 per game average two years prior — a single-season record that still stands today. The LA Clippers apparently missed the memo, as Eaton effortlessly denies a would-be interior scorer, raising the question of why anyone would even attempt to score when the 7-foot-4 Utah Jazz center was patrolling the paint. Eaton would again lead the NBA in blocks the next two seasons, as the two-time Defensive Player of the Year was a nightmare for the Clippers to deal with, posting 14 points, 18 rebounds, three assists and five blocks in the January 31, 1987 overtime thriller.

Mark Eaton

A career .546 shooter over the course of 19 years in the league, Otis Thorpe made more than he missed. Against the Denver Nuggets on this night, he barely missed at all. When a loose ball becomes a 4-on-2 advantage the other way for his Sacramento Kings, Thorpe puts himself in the exact right spot, running parallel to the ball handler on the fast break before finishing off an and-one after receiving a scoop pass from a teammate. Thorpe connected on 11 of his 14 field-goal attempts on his way to a team-high 28 points and 10 rebounds in Sacramento’s 123-117 victory on April 16, 1987.

Otis Thorpe

Why choose substance over style when you can have both? Leading the transition attack, Reggie Theus goes coast-to-coast for the Sacramento Kings, dribbling into the heart of the Portland Trail Blazers defense before tricking all challengers with a nimble spin move into the lane and finishing with a finger roll lay-in. The two-time All-Star — and future head coach of the Kings — scored 10 points and dished out four assists on January 23, 1987.

Run it Back Legacies 1986 - 87

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