Cedric Ceballos

Insistent on the idea of labeling its glorious “Showtime” era a relic from the past, the Los Angeles Lakers — boosted by the return of the Hall of Famer who first introduced it — certainly could’ve had the Great Western Forum fooled. Connected just enough defensively to keep Tim Hardaway Sr.’s creative behind-the-back pass under wraps, Los Angeles forces a turnover before quickly shifting its sights to a breakaway opportunity with Cedric Ceballos and a teammate. Sure to reward his teammate’s unselfishness with a memorable play, the future All-Star gets innovative, pirouetting into a 360 slam, drawing the crowd’s delight. January 30, 1996 would become a date embedded into the fabric of California’s basketball history, as the Lakers welcomed a former three-time Most Valuable Player back into the fold following a four-season hiatus. Invaluable in his role of helping carve out a victory over the Golden State Warriors in the process, Ceballos found himself in “can’t-miss mode,” logging 33 points (on a near-perfect 15-of-18 shooting), alongside seven boards, three assists, and one steal.

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