If you have been watching Winning Time, you know that is leading up to the 1980 NBA finals. The Lakers won, thanks to Magic’s incredible game six, when he started at center to replace the injured Kareem, an amazing feat for a rookie point guard. Before that, however, came the razzle-dazzlest play of the Doc’s dazzling NBA career, when he made a layup from behind the backboard in game four. He created enough hang time to smoke a cigar, nailed the shot, then collapsed to the floor before hustling back on D.
* I specified NBA because Julius did this kind of thing almost every game in the ABA, when he was highly encouraged to put on an individual show, given that his aerobatics sold tickets, and the league needed that desperately.