The prominent basketball league was founded in 1946 and firstly, it was called the Basketball Association America (BAA). The name NBA was changed in 1949 after merging with the National Basketball League (NBL). There have been numerous regular seasons and playoff contests since it started. Some of the games are immortal classics that basketball fans may still remember. Among them have been some of the controversies that have shaped the history of the world’s biggest basketball league. Some matches are memorable because of their eternal competitiveness and incredible display of skills. However, some left bad remarks in the minds of their fans.
Dallas Mavericks vs. Denver Nuggets (2009)
The Mavericks were trying to do everything they could to survive in the NBA playoff series. Holding a delicate two-point lead in the Western Conference finals, the Mavericks opted to foul Carmelo in the final seconds of Game 3. However, an intentional foul was not called out, leading the Nuggets to win the game, which gave them a 3-0 series lead.
Chicago Bulls vs. Utah Jazz ( 1998 NBA Finals)
In the 1998 Finals, Game 6 will be remembered as Michael Jordan’s final game in a Bulls jersey, in which he scored the game-winner point to clinch his second three-peat. However, to this day, people still debate whether or not Jordan possibly committed an offensive foul before making the game-deciding jumper.
Detroit Pistons vs LA Lakers (1988 Final)
In the 1988 NBA Finals, the Pistons faced off against the Lakers for the first time, and this match is still strongly remembered by the fans today. Game 6 in the finals was a game changer for Piston because of the phantom foul, which was called on Bill Laimbeer against Abdul Jabbar. Detroit had a 102-101 lead when Jabbar caught the ball off the right block before turning for his patented skyhook. As the Lakers legend went up for the shot, Laimbeer’s shoulder slightly collided with Jabber. Given how physical the entire game was, many wondered why this minimal contact was called against the Pistons. “Lew” made both free throws to help LA win the crucial game and force a Game 7 in the finals. If not for that questionable call, a three-peat by the Pistons could have occurred during that era.
New York Knicks vs. Denver Nuggets (2006)
This was a controversial game that took place during the regular season of the NBA. On December 16, 2006, the New York Knicks hosted the Denver Nuggets at the famous Madison Square Garden. The Nuggets were in the lead by 119-100 with 1:15 remaining in the game when the Knicks’ Mardy Collins made a flagrant foul on Denver’s J.R. Smith. This resulted in a big brawl that partially extended into the stands. After a review of the entire incident, all ten players on the floor, including Carmelo Anthony, were ejected. Anthony’s punch sent up a cloud of dust on Collins, creating a huge fight.
San Antonio Spurs vs. Phoenix Suns (2007)
In the Western Conference Semifinals, a body check changed the entire outcome of the game. In Game 4, Spurs forward Robery Horry’s crucial hit on Steve Nash changed NBA history. Suns players Boris Diaw and Amar’e Stoudemire were ejected due to a controversial foul by Horry on Nash. Both players were also suspended in Game 5, which the Phoenix lost.
Phoenix Suns’ fans are still hurt by that incident. Many still feel that they could have won the championship that year had it not been for the body check. Instead, the Spurs secured another title after eliminating the Suns in six games.
LA Lakers vs. Sacramento Kings (2002)
The LA Lakers and Sacramento Kings had one of the biggest rivalries in the NBA in the early 2000s. The Sacramento and San Antonio Spurs were the Lakers’ biggest obstacles during the Shaq-Kobe partnership at that time. In the 2002 Western Conference Finals, the Kings, who were leading 3-2, gave the Lakers a tough time. However, LA managed to hold on before eventually securing the win. The Lakers’ ridiculous 27 free throws in the fourth quarter were probably the biggest reason they managed to win the game.
Detroit Pistons vs. Indiana Pacers (2004)
This Pistons-Pacers brawl is the most controversial game in the history of the NBA, which took place on November 19, 2004. The Indiana Pacers were trying to get a win over the Detroit Pistons when all hell broke loose. Pistons forward Ben Wallace was going for a layup when he was fouled by the Pacers’ speedy forward Ron Artest. When things seemed to calm down, some fans joined in. One of them threw a drink at Artest, who went into the stands to accuse the perpetrator. Stephen Jackson and other Pacers players followed Artest and joined the matter. Fans of both sides also fought against each other. Scuffles broke out throughout “The Palace”, leading to a large police force being called in to quell the brawl. This incident is still infamously known as “Malice in the Palace”.
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