NBA Throwback Thursday: Larry Bird's 60, 30 years ago today

On March 12, 1985 Larry Legend put on one of his greatest performances on the hardcourt. It was a home away from home game for the Atlanta Hawks as the game was played in New Orleans, a great place for hardcore Celtics fans to congregate to watch their amazing team. And boy were they in for a treat that night. Bird scored 32 points in just over 14 minutes during the second half beat-down on route to the 126-115 win over the Atlanta Hawks. The 60 points broke the Celtics single game scoring record that Kevin McHale dropped on the Detroit Pistons only nine days prior. Larry Bird's 1984-85 season was one of his best as he averaged 28.7 points and 10.5 rebounds while shooting 52.2 from the field and 42.7 from beyond the arc. Larry also led the league in minutes per game and earned his second of three straight MVP awards in one of the greatest seasons of his hall of fame career. 

NBA Throwback Thursday: Kobe and Shaq combine for 71 in the 2002 Finals game 3

Arguably the greatest two man combo in nba history came to play in the 2002 finals, especially in game 3 where they combined to score 71 points in the 106-103 win over Jason Kidd's New Jersey Nets. Bryant had 36 points including two huge jumpers down the stretch and O'Neal finished with 35 points and 11 rebounds. 

NBA Throwback Thursday: Rodman grabs all the boards

This 34 rebound spectacle was a career high for Rodman as it should be cause 34 boards is nuts. Rodman was the master of tipping a rebound up to himself and pulling it down on his second or third jump. 

NBA Throwback Thursday: Remembering Jerome Kersey

Jerome Kersey the versatile forward and one of the greatest teammates in NBA history passed away at the age of 52 due to blood clot complications. He will be missed in the league but his legacy will never be forgotten. The NBA put together a great video in his honour. 

NBA Throwback Thursday: The Logo wins the all star game at the buzzer

Jerry West aka The Logo aka Mr. Clutch hits the game winning shot as time expires. West won it for the West! This shot helped solidify him as the MVP of the 1972 all star game.  

NBA Throwback Thursday: Dirk with the game winner.... oh ya Iverson

An exhibition game between the USA team and the Gernman team ended in stunning fashion as Allen Iverson hit the game winning shot at the buzzer. 

NBA Throwback Thursday: Shawn Kemp posterizes Alton Lister

One of the best dunkers ever, Shawn Kemp, absolutely demolished Alton Lister with this posterizing slam. Kemp was never afraid to drive the lane with force and let you know about it afterwards. Fantastic finish and classic celebration. 

NBA Throwback Thursday: Bill Russell teaches defensive rebounding

One of the greatest players to ever hit the hardwood shows you how to properly box somebody out so you can gobble up all of the defensive rebounds. Russell finished his 13 year career with 11 championship rings playing the center position so if anybody knows how to box a man out, it's him. 

NBA Throwback Thursday: Kevin Johnson dunks over Hakeem Olajuwon

Hakeem Olajuwon, who has more blocks than anyone else in nba history, gets posterized by Kevin Johnson in game 4 of 1994's western conference semi-finals. You gotta do something special to dunk with the greatest shot blocker ever guarding the paint and Johnson did just that going up high and finishing with the hoop and the harm. Extra credit for hitting the free throw. 

NBA Throwback Thursday: Pistol Pete Maravich scores 68

In 1977 one of the best players of his generation, and all time, "Pistol" Pete Maravich put his talents on display as he scored 68 points in a game against New York.  The 1976-1977 season was his best ever as a professional player. He led the league in scoring with an average of 31.1 points per game and scored 40 points or more in 13 different games which includes the 68 point masterpiece.  

NBA Throwback Thursday: Olajuwon's block to force game 7 of the 1994 finals

You probably know Hakeem Olajuwon for his patented unguardable dream shake move but Olajuwon can also be argued as the best defender in NBA history. Hakeem holds the all time blocks record with 3,830 averaging 3.09 blocks per game across his hall of fame career. Olajuwon has many highlight blocks but the one he may be remembered for the most occurred in the 1994 NBA finals. Patrick Ewing and the New York Knicks led the series 3-2 but the Houston Rockets were up 86-84 with 7.6 seconds left in game 6. The ball came into John Starks and Ewing set the pick forcing Olajuwon to switch onto Starks. The rest is history. After a slight stumble Hakeem recovered to get the block on Starks forcing a game 7 that the Rockets would go onto win. We will never know if the shot would've gone in but considering that Starks had 16pts in the 4th quarter of that game my guess is that it would've been splash. Hakeem may no longer be the highest scoring international player but his all around skill make him a true baller. 

NBA Throwback Thursday: Ewing posterizes Mourning

Nothing is more special in sports than seeing two guys go at it, especially when the two guys in question would one day be inducted into the hall of fame. Ewing got the ball baseline and for half a second there was a pause as he looked at Mourning, both men aware that something spectacular was about to happen. Mourning thinking block of the year and Ewing thinking of the poster. To the disappointment of the crowd in Miami Patrick Ewing was victorious. If I was a kid growing up in New York during the 90's the image of Ewing dunking over Zo would plastered all over my bedroom.