Stephen A. Smith slams the Sixers for not hiring Allen Iverson to fill a position with the team. (2:04).
Imagine a time when you could cover seven decades plus of history in three minutes.
In a tribute to the 75th anniversary of the NBA's season, the NBA took hoops fans on a star-studded trip down 'NBA Lane', with Michael Jordan as the driver.
Although His Airness' Team 23XI seems to be enjoying the thrill of his first win as a NASCAR owner's champion, it was actually Michael B. Jordan who guided the NBA's walk down memory lane. Highlighted by a host of present stars (Kevin Durant and Zion Williamson), Dirk Nowitzki, Bill Russell and Oscar Robertson), the NBA had a parade of team mascots (Boomer from the Indiana Pacers, Hugo the Charlotte Hornets
This month, the NBA will unveil its 75 greatest players from league history. The list will be created by a panel that includes current and former players, coaches, and team executives. The league honored its top-50 players 25 years ago to mark its half-century anniversary.
Its tradition of recognising legends dates back as far as October 30, 1980, when its 35th Anniversary team consisted of Abdul-Jabbar and Erving Robertson, Russell, Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, and Wilt Chamberlain.
The NBA has grown to be a global organization thanks to its star power and the development of gravity-defying shots. As the league celebrated its landmark anniversary, each of these were displayed.
"We talk a lot aboout the NBA family. So how can we bring that family to light and invite our fans into that family?" Kate Jhaveri, chief marketing officer of NBA, explained the process behind the video special.
"We felt that there could be no better place than the place where legends, current and future players can get together. NBA Lane is a great way to accomplish that."
Fans can also take a behind the scenes tour of NBA Lane's neighbourhood hoopers. These specials are just the beginning of the NBA’s efforts to celebrate its achievements since the New York Knicks, Toronto Huskies, and the first regular-season match on Nov. 1, 1946.
The original NBA franchises will be honored by the three teams (Knicks Boston Celtics, Golden State Warriors and Boston Celtics) in three nationally televised games that will be played over five days in December.
On Dec. 17, at 7:30 pm, fans can catch Stephen Curry and Golden State visiting Jayson Tatum's Celtics. ET on ESPN. On January 7, the Atlanta Hawks will play host to the Los Angeles Lakers 50-years after the former's NBA-record 33rd consecutive victory.
October 19th will be the start of the NBA's 75th Season. Durant's Brooklyn Nets host Giannis Antetokounmpo's Milwaukee Bucks.
