Long before he became a five-time champion and one of the best rebounders in league history, rookie Dennis Rodman gave the NBA a preview of things to come. Showing early glimpses of his patented physicality and athleticism, Rodman picks off an errant Boston Celtics pass before starting a 2-on-1 fast break attack. The seven-time NBA All-Defensive First Team selection defers to a Detroit Pistons teammate, who quickly dishes a touch pass back to Rodman, who finishes the play in style with a backboard-shaking slam. In addition to the steal, Rodman scored three points and blocked three shots in 18 minutes of action off the bench in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals on May 30, 1987.

Dennis Rodman

Dennis Rodman runs the floor for slam in heated 1987 Conference Finals

No matter how fierce the defense or how bright the spotlight, Larry Bird was going to deliver when it mattered most. In Game 4 of the 1987 NBA Finals, his team within reach of knotting an instant classic series with 12 seconds remaining, Bird did everything conceivably possible to deliver a miracle for his defending champion Boston Celtics - though fate would intervene. Smothered by a Los Angeles Lakers defender until an opportunity to break free and sneak into the corner presents itself, Bird cues up in front of the opponents’ bench and drains an unforgettable three-pointer that triggers a frenzy in the Boston Garden, setting the stage for an iconic finish to one of the most beloved showdowns in NBA history. Though his long-time friend and rival Magic Johnson would soon wrest the spotlight back with his 'junior junior skyhook' counter, history was made. This was the type of difficult shot that Bird made routine throughout a Hall of Fame career that included 12 All-Star appearances, three MVP awards and three championship rings. He finished the June 9, 1987 contest with 21 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists and two blocks.

Larry Bird

Larry Bird puts pressure of Lakers with clutch triple in Game 4 of 1987 Finals

Can’t stop what you can’t touch. Washington Mystics forward Chamique Holdsclaw pushes the ball up the floor against the Sacramento Monarchs, sizes up a defender sprinting over to cut her off, then spins seamlessly into the paint for an acrobatic bucket on July 2, 1999. The rookie finished with 22 points, nine boards and seven assists in the contest.

Chamique Holdsclaw

Chamique Holdsclaw spins to the cup for memorable acrobatic layup

Thousands of hoopers have been putting up buckets over the course of the last quarter-century but only one field-goal attempt in WNBA history is referred to as “The Shot”. Down by two points with just 2.4 seconds left in a win-or-go-home Finals matchup, Teresa Weatherspoon sets up for an inbound pass from 94-feet out, beelines up the floor with the ball, then heaves a 60-foot prayer off the glass and through the net. The instant classic game winner gave the New York Liberty a one-point victory over the Houston Comets on September 4, 1999.

Teresa Weatherspoon

Teresa Weatherspoon gives team new life with game-winning miracle in 1999 Finals

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

Nothing if not fearless, Allen Iverson never met a rim protector he wasn’t willing to challenge. After cutting into position to corral a flawless behind-the-back baseline feed, the generational Philadelphia 76ers superstar leaps right at one of the most feared defenders of the decade, then goes up and around his arm for an acrobatic two. Iverson, making the first of 11 career All-Star appearances, poured in 26 points in the February 13, 2000 contest, adding nine dimes and two steals for good measure.

Allen Iverson

Allen Iverson rotates mid-air for acrobatic layup in 2000 All-Star Game

There's no stopping an iconic ball-handler when they're truly in the zone. Philadelphia 76ers legend guard Allen Iverson pushes the ball up the court and, sizing up the defense, drives to the paint. Losing one defender with an in-and-out and battling past another, The Answer jumps away from the rim and gets a reverse layup to go, spinning it high off the glass. Despite a reported illness before the game, Iverson went for 39 points in the home win against the Atlanta Hawks on December 14, 2005.

Allen Iverson darts through defense for reverse layup behind head

Vince Carter's leaping ability is borderline mythic but it's the unmistakable flair for the dramatic that makes him an artist above the rim. The New Jersey Nets wing cuts baseline against the Orlando Magic, elevates with his back to the basket to catch a Jason Kidd lob pass, brings the ball down to his knees as he soars closer to the rim, then unleashes a reverse slam. Carter finished with 32 points in the December 21, 2005 victory.

Vince Carter

Vince Carter leaps through paint for reverse dunk off alley-oop

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

When generational stars align, good things happen. Taking note of third-year teammate Dwyane Wade battling to keep a transition attempt alive, veteran superstar Shaquille O'Neal charges down the court, gets the jump on his defender then soars through the air to slam home a long-distance alley-oop. The 2006 NBA All-Star would go on to drop 21 points in just 27 minutes of work against the Cleveland Cavaliers as the eventual champion Miami Heat cruised to a 28-point victory on February 2, 2006. 

Shaquille O'Neal finishes alley-oop off halfcourt lob from Dwyane Wade

Around, over or through, Chris Bosh has the mobility and length to dunk almost anything. The Toronto Raptors big man tempts his defender with a pump fake at the free-throw line before putting the ball on the floor and cramming over a help-side Indiana Pacers defender with ease. Bosh finished with 24 points and eight rebounds in the March 12, 2006 win.

Chris Bosh

Chris Bosh pumpfakes defender and takes ball straight to the rack

Not everybody has an extra gear for the postseason but Tony Parker was built for the spotlight. With seconds to spare in the third quarter of a series-clinching Game 6 battle against the Sacramento Kings, the ultra fast 23-year-old guard races the length of the floor in a flash, then pulls up for a deep buzzer-beating triple on May 5, 2006. The San Antonio Spurs star finished the contest with 31 points and a freshly stamped ticket to the next round of the playoffs.

Tony Parker

Tony Parker pulls up for quarter-ending triple in 2006 Playoffs

Marketplace

Dennis Rodman

Larry Bird

Chamique Holdsclaw

Teresa Weatherspoon

Shaquille O'Neal

Allen Iverson

Allen Iverson

Vince Carter

Steve Nash

Shaquille O'Neal

Chris Bosh

Tony Parker