Fansided

30 best shots in NBA Playoffs history

By John Buhler

June 19, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) moves the ball against Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) in the second half in game seven of the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
June 19, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) moves the ball against Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) in the second half in game seven of the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /
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PORTLAND, OR – 1988: Magic Johnson #32 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles the ball against the Portland Trail Blazers during a game played circa 1987 at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1988 NBAE (Photo by Brian Drake/NBAE via Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR – 1988: Magic Johnson #32 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles the ball against the Portland Trail Blazers during a game played circa 1987 at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1988 NBAE (Photo by Brian Drake/NBAE via Getty Images) /

11. Magic Johnson’s Baby Sky Hook versus Boston Celtics: 1987 NBA Finals, Game 4

The Sky Hook was the shot that Basketball Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar mastered to become the NBA’s all-time leading scorer. It showed that big men like Abdul-Jabbar could play ball with a touch of finesse.

When he left Milwaukee for Los Angeles, his game came with him and it inspired a teammate of his to follow in his footsteps in winning time. Abdul-Jabbar will always have the Sky Hook, but Lakers point guard Magic Johnson will always have the Baby Sky Hook.

Johnson is widely regarded as the greatest point guard in NBA history. Known for his distributive skills and range to guard anybody defensively, Johnson’s definitive moment in the NBA Playoffs came when he shot the basketball like Abdul-Jabbar.

The Lakers and Celtics renewed their fierce NBA rivalry in the 1980s. In Game 4 of the 1987 NBA Finals, Johnson would make use of the Baby Sky Hook to sink the winning shot over Boston big men Kevin McHale and Robert Parish.

Johnson would call it the “junior, junior, junior sky hook”, nodding to Abdul-Jabbr about his flattering game-winner. Los Angeles would go on to beat the Celtics in six games to win the 1987 NBA Finals.

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