So let's kick things off with LeBron James. This guy had one of the most memorable pics when he went airborne for that monster dunk in the 2013 NBA Finals. It was Game 7 against the Spurs. The image grabbed everyone's attention. I mean, the sheer height he achieved! Fans went crazy, and the picture spread like wildfire on social media and sports websites. It's estimated that this photo alone generated nearly 20 million impressions within the first 24 hours. That's just insane.
Next up, we have Michael Jordan. Even though he's from a different era, one photo always stands out—the iconic Air Jordan pose during the 1988 Slam Dunk Contest. His hand outstretched, legs bent, tongue wagging, it's literally the logo of his brand. Decades later, people still share that image. It was also featured on almost every sports magazine cover of the time and has been viewed over 100 million times across various platforms.
And who can forget Steph Curry's famous shimmy? During a crucial game against the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2016, Curry hit a three-pointer from nearly half-court, then followed it up with his signature dance. ESPN captured that moment perfectly. The clip and the photos got millions of likes and retweets, breaking the internet for basketball fans. Not to mention, sales for Curry's Under Armour shoes reportedly shot up by over 30% after that game.
Then there's Allen Iverson stepping over Tyronn Lue in the 2001 NBA Finals. That photo doesn't need an introduction. It's pure swagger and a giant middle finger to those who doubted AI. The intensity in his eyes says it all. The meme potential for that photo was off the charts, and it's still one of the most talked-about moments in NBA Finals history. Even now, Iverson's Reebok sales see a small bump every anniversary of that game.
Speaking of memorable, Magic Johnson kissing Larry Bird on the cheek during the 1985 All-Star Game is one for the ages. This photo showed the world that fierce competitors on the court could be friends off it. At the time, the image was groundbreaking given the racial tensions in the U.S. Sports Illustrated called it "the most important photo in NBA history," highlighting its cultural impact. The article alone received over 500,000 views and was shared 50,000 times in the first week.
Remember Shaquille O'Neal hanging off the rim after smashing backboard dunks? That kind of raw power made it impossible not to share the moment. His most famous one, in my opinion, happened in 1993 against the New Jersey Nets. Shaq dunked with such force that he brought the entire backboard down. Fans all over the globe couldn't believe it and shared the images non-stop. The cost to replace that backboard? A whopping $10,000 back in the day. But it was totally worth it.
Kobe Bryant’s 81-point game in 2006 against the Raptors gave us another unforgettable photo. The picture of Kobe holding up a piece of paper with "81" written on it in the locker room resonated deeply with every basketball fan. ESPN reported that the image received around 5 million engagements on their platforms alone. That game solidified Kobe’s legendary status, and the photographic proof was the cherry on top.
How about Dirk Nowitzki’s iconic one-legged fadeaway? The photo capturing that move during the 2011 NBA Finals is pure gold. Dirk nailed that shot over LeBron James in Game 6, helping to clinch the Mavericks' first-ever championship. NBA.com reported that articles and photos from that game had nearly 12 million hits, a testament to how big a deal that moment was for basketball history.
Lastly, let’s talk about Giannis Antetokounmpo’s block in the 2021 NBA Finals. That photo of Giannis denying Deandre Ayton’s alley-oop attempt in Game 4 became an instant classic. People all over Twitter and Instagram couldn't stop talking about "The Block." The Milwaukee Bucks even sold over 25,000 T-shirts featuring that image within a week. It was one of the defining moments of the Finals and will be remembered for a long time to come.
So, if you want to revisit these incredible moments, check out some of these nba players pictures. Trust me, you'll get a kick out of seeing these historic snapshots that shook the world of basketball.