Nov 28th, 1986; USA; Los Angeles, CA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Chicago Bulls guard Michael Jordan (23) in action against Los Angeles Lakers center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (33) at The Forum. Mandatory Credit: Malcolm Emmons-Imagn Images Malcolm Emmons-Imagn Images

Michael Jordan Faced Dunk Rival In Pick-Up Game In Front Of National Landmark

Originally posted on Back in the Day NBA on SI
By Shandel Richardson | Last updated May 21, 2025 12:34 PM ET

The 1980s were a different time. Before social media, NBA players had to interact with fans outside of phones and laptops. They participated in charity events to promote the league. The goal was making the sport popular as possible.

An example of this was July 4, 1976.

That's when Chicago Bulls phenom Michael Jordan and fellow high-flyer Dominque Wilkins participated in a playground pick-up game in front of the St. Louis Arch. Jordan was coming of a Rookie of the Year season where he averaged 28.2 points, 6.5 rebounds, 5.9 assists, and 2.4 steals. Wilkins was the reigning scoring champion at 30.3 points a game.

Fans were treated to two of the game's top players at a summer festival. Imagine that happening today.

HEAT FANS CAN THANK PACERS FOR PAT RILEY

The Miami Heat are arguably one of the most respected organizations in the NBA. They have won three championships in seven Finals appearances this century. They also have made 10 Eastern Conference finals since 1997.

Most of that success happened upon the arrival of Pat Riley in the summer of 1995. The term "Heat Culture" may never have existed if it not for the New York Knicks losing to the Indiana Pacers that spring in the conference semifinals.

With the Knicks playing the Pacers in the conference finals, ESPN decided to rank their best postseason meetings. Topping the list was the infamous 1995 series that had everything from Reggie Miller's eight points in nine seconds to Patrick Ewing missing a late layup.

While those are the most vivid memories for Pacers and Knicks fans, the departure of Riley resonates most in Miami. Riley left the Knicks less than two weeks after the Knicks were eliminated. After a first-round loss to the Michael Jordan-led Chicago Bulls, the Heat were in the conference finals a year later.

Riley then played a role in drafting Dwyane Wade in 2003 and trading for Shaquille O'Neal the following summer. The combo led the Heat, once mostly known as an expansion team, to to their first championship in 2006. Four years later, LeBron James and Chris Bosh in Miami happened.

And then the Jimmy Butler era produced two Finals appearances. So the Heat can thank the Knicks' inability to defeat the Pacers for serving as the Riley catalyst.

This article first appeared on Back in the Day NBA on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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