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.

Magic Johnson

Magic Johnson drains one-handed, fullcourt heave in first game of 1987 Playoffs

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 shifts momentum of 1987 Finals with game-winning junior skyhook

Few make their presence felt in the paint more than Yolanda Griffith. Tied in the final seconds of a ball game, the Sacramento Monarchs center reads the rim perfectly off of a teammate’s missed jumper, nimbly leaps through the key to corral the rebound then drains a game-winning jumper. Griffith added 23 points and 16 boards in the August 10, 1999 win.

Yolanda Griffith

Yolanda Griffith outrebounds Sparks buries game-winning putback jump shot

Don’t let the calm demeanor fool you, Los Angeles Lakers center Shaquille O’Neal knows all too well his own power. After patiently tracking an opponent’s drive attempt out of a pick and roll, the towering center leaps for the rock, spikes it mercilessly off the backboard and gets right back into position in the paint. O’Neal, named co-MVP of the 2000 NBA All-Star Game, held nothing back in the contest, dropping 22 points, nine rebounds and three blocks in the affair.

Shaquille O'Neal

Shaquille O'Neal obliterates shot attempt, wins co-MVP of 2000 All-Star Game

When dealing with a five-time NBA assist leader, expect the unexpected. In the middle of an MVP season, Phoenix Suns All-Star guard Steve Nash fakes left and goes behind-the-back in midair to dish a dime to Shawn Marion on his right. The Hall of Famer went for 24 points and 13 assists in the road win on December 30, 2005.

Steve Nash

Steve Nash leaps but throws behind-back dime the opposite direction

If there’s a crack in the defense, two-time NBA MVP Steve Nash is destined to find it. After surveying his opponent and former teammate Dirk Nowitzki from out on the perimeter, the Phoenix Suns point guard heads straight at the mismatch, dashing baseline and finishing with the acrobatic two in a March 5, 2006 contest against the Dallas Mavericks. Nash posted 25 points and 11 dimes in the W.

Steve Nash ducks around former teammate Dirk Nowitzki for acrobatic bucket

Take your pick of WNBA rookie records and chances are Candace Parker either owns it or isn’t far behind. From the opening tipoff of her career, Parker proved ready, with 34 points in her first game, a WNBA debut record that stands to this day. Here, with the Los Angeles Sparks clinging to a one-point lead with just 15 seconds remaining against the then-defending-champion Phoenix Mercury, Parker shows the poise of a seasoned veteran, using a nifty spin to free herself for a pass and then pivoting her way through traffic for a game-sealing finish. Parker’s historic box score reads as follows: 34 points, 12 rebounds, eight assists, two steals, two triples and a block in a 99-94 win on May 17, 2008.

Candace Parker

Candace Parker dominates the stat sheet in first career WNBA contest

Six years after her star teammate Lisa Leslie completed the first dunk in WNBA history, it was only fitting that Los Angeles Sparks rookie Candace Parker flew in to make history of her own on June 22, 2008. Looking to become the second to accomplish the feat, the Sparks big runs the length of the court, calling her own number with a smooth one-handed jam in transition. Parker, who went on to become both the Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player in 2008, had fingerprints all over the 77-63 win, with 10 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and four blocks.

Candace Parker becomes second in history to dunk in a WNBA game

Regardless of the stage or circumstance, Diana Taurasi is a living, breathing bucket. With a ticket to the Finals within reach, the Phoenix Mercury guard sets up to run her defender off a screen before exploding in the opposite direction to bury a scoop shot through contact. Taurasi added 21 points and seven rebounds in the September 26, 2009 tilt against the LA Sparks.

Diana Taurasi

Diana Taurasi sinks tough layup in series-clinching 2009 Conference Finals win

The longevity of an epic career is aided by great teammates and Sue Bird has had no shortage of those over the last 19 seasons. Consider Lauren Jackson one of the best of the bunch. In Game 2 of the 2010 WNBA Finals, Bird corrals a loose ball in Seattle’s defensive zone and immediately trains her eyes on Jackson, already long gone in transition against the Atlanta Dream. Able to corral a long outlet pass from Bird, Jackson - a three-time MVP - works a give-and-go with another teammate then finishes the play under the basket. Jackson’s enormous effort of 26 points, seven rebounds and three steals paced the Storm to an 87-84 victory on September 14, 2010, helping to pave the way for her second championship and first Finals MVP award two days later.

Lauren Jackson

Lauren Jackson converts off transition give-and-go in 2010 Finals

She may be known as a world-class defender but Indiana Fever star Tamika Catchings is the complete package. After forcing a turnover on one end of the floor, Catchings motions to take her Phoenix Mercury defender into the corner before spinning powerfully into the paint for two. Catchings put up 13 points and 12 boards in the June 25, 2011 win.

Tamika Catchings

Tamika Catchings spins seamlessly around defense, lays up easy bucket

No shame in biting on a Candace Parker ball fake when she can do damage from anywhere on the court. The Los Angeles Sparks forward attacks the paint against the Phoenix Mercury, baits renowned shot blocker Brittney Griner into chasing a pump fake, then gracefully spins back into an easy floater for two of her 25 points on September 15, 2013.

Candace Parker gets defender out of position with ball fake, pivots for bucket

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Magic Johnson

Magic Johnson

Yolanda Griffith

Shaquille O'Neal

Steve Nash

Steve Nash

Candace Parker

Candace Parker

Diana Taurasi

Lauren Jackson

Tamika Catchings

Candace Parker