Once it becomes apparent a star player’s career has begun winding down, it’s a ritual among NBA fans to hit the crates and dig out the old hits. Kobe’s got the 81, but what about that 48 and 16 in Game 4 against the Kings in 2001? Sure, Jordan gave the Knicks the double nickel in 1995, but have you watched the highlights on that 51-point game as a 38-year-old lately? Good golly. On and on down the line — Magic’s 42-15-7 when he was forced to play center as a rookie, Hakeem’s prolonged annihilation of David Robinson’s Spurs in 1995 playoffs — the impactful moments of a star player’s career are preserved in the box score fossil record.
The Last Stand of Manu Ginobili, NBA Unicorn
