Any time 24 of the best and brightest basketball stars in the world are put together in one court, something special is bound to happen. That’s just how greatness works. With the sheer amount of greatness that’s shared the court through the years, the NBA All-Star Game has been the site of more than a few unforgettable moments.
Let’s take a trip down memory lane and relive five of the best moments in ASG history. Get all the way into this year’s All-Star Game and those of year’s past with our look at the biggest All-Star Game snubs in history.
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The Top Five Best NBA All Star Game Moments in History
5. Jerry West Game-winner (1972)
Jerry West didn’t take many games off during his long, illustrious career. Not even All-Star Games. West put on a show in front of his hometown crowd in LA, the host of the 1972 game. West was at his best with 13 points, six rebounds and five assists for the West All-Stars.
“Mr. Clutch” then saved his best for last as he hit a last-second jumper in a tied game to give the West a 112-110 victory. Naturally, the game-winner sealed the game’s MVP honors for West.
4. T-Mac’s Alley-oop (2004)
Everyone acknowledges that the All-Star Game has become a glorified pickup game where the players just throw alley-oops and play no defense. But even so, the allure of the game is to see the greatest players in the world make great plays.
That’s exactly what Tracy McGrady provided with his iconic self-alley-oop off the backboard. He didn’t attempt this insane stunt on a breakaway with no one in front of him; he tried it in traffic with just about everyone on the court standing in the paint. And he pulled it off.
McGrady’s dunk captures the very essence of the All-Star Game: over-the-top, creative, spectacular, ridiculous.
3. The East Comeback (2001)
2001 was Allen Iverson’s year. He won the NBA regular season MVP. He led the Philadelphia 76ers all the way to the NBA Finals. He made one of the most iconic shots in Finals history (shout out to Tyronn Lue). And he led one of the greatest comebacks in All-Star Game history.
All seemed lost for the East, who were down by as much as 21 points in the fourth quarter. But that’s when Iverson and running mate Stephon Marbury got to work and led the East back to a dramatic 111-110 win. Iverson scored 15 of his 25 points in the fourth, while Marbury finished it off with the game-winner (see the 7:02 mark in the video above).
2. Jordan’s Last Hurrah (2003)
Michael Jordan’s career didn’t have the fairytale ending most of us wanted. (MJ on the Wizards never happened!) Likewise, His Airness fell just short of a fairytale end to his last ever All-Star Game.
It had all the makings of a great ending, too. With the 2003 All-Star Game deadlocked at 136 and time quickly running out, the East very smartly found MJ and let the G.O.A.T. get to work. Jordan got separation on his defender Shawn Marion and drained his signature fadeaway to give the East a two-point lead.
Jordan’s only mistake was leaving five seconds on the clock. That gave enough time for Kobe Bryant to get fouled and hit two out of three free throws. The West eventually prevailed in overtime, but not before Jordan got one last great All-Star moment.
1. Magic’s Last All-Star Game (1992)
When it comes to All-Star moments, Magic Johnson is No. 1 and it’s not really even close.
By now, everyone has heard the story: Magic had retired earlier in the 1991-1992 season after testing positive for HIV. He made a dramatic return in the All-Star game after being voted in by the fans, and did he ever give them a show. Just watch the video above and see how Magic ran the show for the final few minutes.
Magic finished with 25 points, nine assists and five rebounds and was named the game’s MVP. But Magic’s No. 1 because he transcended basketball and represented something greater by playing that game. Moreover, it was a picture perfect end to one of basketball’s greatest stars.
After witnessing the great moments from NBA stars past, create a betting account now and start wagering on the NBA stars of the present.
