NBA Throwback Thursday: Ron Artest tries EVERYTHING to stop Paul Pierce

The basketball player formerly known as Ron Artest (soon to be formerly known as Metta World Peace) was known for a lot of things. Being a hassle on the defensive end, getting into fights, and sometimes just downright hilarity. In a game between the Boston Celtics and the Indiana Pacers Ron Artest got fed up with his defence not being as good as Paul Pierce's offence so he decided he needed to do what was necessary to get Pierce out his game. Pierce has to get pantsed. Pierce shook it off easily and drained a three pointer moments later right in Artest's face. Ron later apologized in the only way Ron knows how. Song. 

NBA Throwback Thursday: Dr. J's half-court game winner

In 1986 Dr. J stunned the Dallas crowd when he hit a buzzer beating game winner from half court. Julius Erving finished the game with 20pts and 8ast and the biggest shot but it was the round mound of rebound Charles Barkley who put the sixers in their position to win with 35pts and 13rbs. One of the greatest ballers to ever play the game, Julius Erving was a hall of fame type guy on and off the court and he Barkley develop into the MVP player he became in 1993. The doctor is the only player in history to win a championship and MVP in both the ABA and the NBA. Dr. J took the whole team and pulled that win right out of a dream. 

NBA Throwback Thursday: 1969 Finals the Don Nelson bounce

Everyone's seen a basketball shot go in on a lucky bounce but nobody has gotten said lucky bounce at a more opportune time then Don Nelson in game 7 of the 1969 NBA finals. With less than a 1:30 left to go in the game the Celtics only had a 1 point lead but a near steal by Keith Erickson got the ball into Don Nelson's hands who puts up the shot that sealed the deal for Boston. This magical shot hit the back of the rim launching the ball 6 feet in the air only so it could drop back down straight through the net giving the Celtics a 105-102 lead. The Celtics would ice the game with free throws and go on to win it 108-106 despite Jerry West (the finals MVP) averaging 38 ppg in the series and having 42 points, 13 rebounds and 12 assists in the game 7. This win gave the Celtics their 11th championship in 13 seasons further cementing their dynasty. 

For a more in-depth breakdown of the final game of the 1969 season watch this video below. 

NBA Throwback Thursday: Bob McAdoo 50 point playoff game

I'm not a basketball expert nor a basketball historian but this was most likely the best day Bob McAdoo ever had while playing in the NBA. It's game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semi Finals and Bob McAdoo receives two coveted awards before Tip-off, the scoring title for the year along with being crowned the leagues MVP. McAdoo came into the game averaging 35 ppg in the series and looking to tie it at 2-2. The Hall of Fame player Bob McAdoo, who was mostly known for his shooting touch, finished the game with 50 points 1 assist and 21 rebounds in the Braves win. It's also worth mentioning that McAdoo scored his 50 points without shooting a 3 pointer due mostly to the fact that the 3 point line didn't exist in the league at the time. The Buffalo Braves, the team McAdoo played for at the time, eventually moved to San Diego and became the Clippers (now the LA Clippers). Bob McAdoo still holds the Braves/Clippers record for most minutes played per game (40.1), field goals made per game (11.1) and field goal attempts per game (22.1). He was straight ballin. 

NBA Throwback Thursday: Havlicek stole the ball!

This week in NBA Throwback Thursday we go back to game 7 of the 1965 Eastern Conference Finals between the Boston Celtics and the Philadelphia 76ers. The Celtics had possession with a one point lead with mere seconds to go in the game but Bill Russell slipped up and lost the ball off the stantion for the backboard during the inbounds. This gave Wilt Chamberlain and the 76ers one last shot at the game and the series. Luckily for the Celtics however John Havlicek came to the rescue stealing the ball off the inbounds pass allowing for time to expire so Boston could win the series. Celtics commentator Johnny Most only raises excitement with his call on the play.

Havlicek played all 16 seasons of his career with the Boston Celtics scoring 26,395 points and he averaged 20.8ppg 6.3 rpg and 4.8 apg across that career. Those 26,395 points gives him the title of all time leading scorer for the Celtics, good for the 13th highest scorer ever in the NBA. 

Havlicek's game saving steal is at the 2:00 minute mark but I'd implore you to watch the whole thing, Hondo deserves it. 

NBA Throwback Thursday: Jordan 52 vs Drexler 42

Between the regular season and playoffs Michael Jordan scored 50+ 39 times. While there are a lot of exciting 50+ point games for me to choose from for nbatbt this one stood out to me because Jordan gets to battle with the only shooting guard who could challenge him at the time, Clyde Drexler. Michael got to go back and forth scoring with a lot of players, Bird, Magic, Malone, but he wasn't defending them and they weren't defending him most of the time. In this game two of the best shooting guards in history go head-to-head as they steal, block, and score on one another in a classic game from 1988 you won't want to miss. Oh and it gives me a reason to mention Kevin Duckworth who was the third highest scorer in the game with 27 for Portland.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3a-fEIRJ-k  

NBA Throwback Thursday: 7'7 Manute Bol 6 three's in a half

Looking like a character pulled from a Tim Burton movie, Manute Bol standing rather towering at 7'7 wasn't exactly known throughout the league for his long range shot. But things happened. Charles Barkley and the Suns were up 72-55 at the half and things looked bleak for the 76ers that is until Manute Bol started draining three pointers and at least allowed Philadelphia to lose with some style. Even Barkley was into it giving Bol a high five after making his 6th three pointer. Manute finished the game shooting 6-12 from beyond the arc which gave him the record for most 3 pointers in a half by any Philadelphia 76er.  Was this complete luck? Considering Bol made only 43-205 of his three pointers during his career it seems so but the tape don't lie, he made them. It was baller time for Manute.

Manute Bol 6 3-point half:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45czWPhWQOI   

Oh and if  you were wondering what Manute Bol's main strengths were this video should give you a rough idea:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VnHbGFpr4Qs

NBA Throwback Thursday: Mahmoud 51 against Stockton

     Ever since 1891 when Canadian Dr. James Naismith invented basketball people have been doing baller shit with the sport. Thousands of these moments have occurred throughout the history of the NBA, some like Wilt Chamberlain scoring 100 points or a multitude of Michael Jordan game winners have been replayed hundreds of times but there are still many baller instances in the NBA that haven't been largely publicized. This is where NBA TBT comes in. Each week I'll be bringing you a baller moment that you've hopefully never seen before starting this week with Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf and the game where he scored 51 points against John Stockton and the Jazz.  It was December 7, 1995 when the Nuggets led by Dikembe Mutombo arrived in Utah to challenge on Stockton and Malone, and challenge them Mahmoud did as he finished the game scoring more points then the two did combined! That night Abdul-Rauf was unconscious shooting 9-14 from 3 and making all of his 8 free throws. Mahmoud looked to be in attack mode all night as he knocked down shot after shot against tight defence making buckets both off the dribble and in catch and shoot situations. His performance was very Stephen Curry like as his ability to create a shot for himself wrecked havoc on the opposing defence. This game was simply amazing but not just a fluke either since during his 9 year career Mahmoud averaged 14.6 ppg and made 1051/1161 of his total free throws (.905) with a career high of 19.2 ppg during the 92-93 season with the Nuggets. 

If you're a stickler for the highest video quality possible watch it here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXGRNGWNk0I

If not then I'd recommend checking it out here, if only to hear one of the commentators say "What screen? he don't need no screen," around the 2:50 mark. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-w3vbrj7KQ 

If you're a fan of Mahmoud's game here are 3 other instances where he took over that's worth checking out: 

Mahmoud was also a key factor in ending Jordan's Bulls 18 game winning streak. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e93l5so7f9s

He's just one of those players who helps prove that 'getting hot' is a real thing, scoring 2 points through 3 quarters only to finish the game with 28 pts. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozxEUAUlEFc

Abdul-Rauf was never afraid of the competition proving it once again by scoring 39 points and getting 10 assists during his win over Jason Kidd and the Mavericks in 1995. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sewdK-uoX3I

I hope everyone who read this enjoyed it and don't forget to check back next Thursday for another edition of NBA TBT.