The world of professional hoops is full of superstars dunking, dribbling and hanging on the rim. Get airborne with them in our gallery of iconic basketball images.
Allen Iverson of the Denver Nuggets goes to basket against Derek Fisher of the Los Angeles Lakers. What basketball player was named after a famous type of beef from Japan?
Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers has a breakaway slam dunk in the final minute of Game Five of the 2008 NBA Finals. What player is sometimes referred to as "The L-Train"?
LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers slam dunks the breakaway. The next player is currently the captain of the Boston Celtics.
Kevin Garnett of the Boston Celtics dunks against the Los Angeles Lakers. "Flash" and "D-Wade" are the nicknames of the next NBA player.
Dwyane Wade drives for a shot attempt during the 2008 NBA All-Star Game. What NBA All-Star from the Dallas Mavericks is considered to be one of the best players of his generation?
Jason Kidd of the Dallas Mavericks moves the ball against Steve Nash of the Phoenix Suns. EA Sports has put the next NBA player on the cover of three of their basketball video games.
Carmelo Anthony of the Denver Nuggets shoots against Cuttino Mobley of the Los Angeles Clippers. The NBA player on the next page is the team captain of the 2008 U.S. Men's Basketball Team.
Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic shoots a free throw against the Minnesota Timberwolves. What NBA player is nicknamed "The Truth"?
Paul Pierce of the Boston Celtics drives for a shot attempt against Lamar Odom of the Los Angeles Lakers. What player was dubbed by NBA announcers as a "Walking Technical Foul?"
Rasheed Wallace of the Detroit Pistons shoots a layup. Who is currently the tallest player in the NBA?
Yao Ming of the Houston Rockets goes up for a shot during a game against the New Jersey Nets. The next NBA player is from Canada and well known for his dribbling and passing abilities.
Steve Nash of the Phoenix Suns drives the ball up court as Anthony Carter of the Denver Nuggets defends. This next NBA player holds an honors degree in psychology.
Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs shoots a jump shot over Pau Gasol of the Los Angeles Lakers. What player holds the NBA record for career three-pointers made?
Reggie Miller of the Indiana Pacers shoots a free throw. What NBA All-Star is also a rapper and actor?
Shaquille O'Neal of the Miami Heat dunks over Ben Wallace of the Detroit Pistons. The next NBA player is considered by many to be the greatest basketball player of all time.
Michael Jordan of the Chicago Bulls goes for a dunk during the 1988 NBA All-Star Slam Dunk Competition. What NBA legend is remembered as one of the foremost clutch performers in the history of the NBA?
Larry Bird of the Boston Celtics shoots a jumpshot over a Houston Rockets defender during the 1986 NBA Finals. Next, learn about some of the most important players in history.
James Worthy's nickname was "Big Game James." He is one of only five Lakers with more than 15,000 total points, and his career scoring average in the playoffs was 21.1 points a game, compared with 17.6 in the regular season.
Bill Sharman, whose professional career began in 1950, was described as a near-perfect guard. He was the first NBA player to make 50 consecutive free throws.
Bob Lanier had his jersey number retired by two different teams, and a bronzed pair of his size 22 shoes are on display in the Basketball Hall of Fame.
In 1975 at the age of 16, Nancy Lieberman became the first high school student, male or female, to make a U.S. Olympic basketball team. She went on to become the first woman to play in a men's professional league and the first woman to tour with the Washington Generals (foils for the Harlem Globetrotters). Her prestigious career earned her the nickname "Lady Magic."
Bernard King's signature move was the turn-around jump shot. A high-scoring forward in the NBA from 1977-1993, King became the first player since 1964 to score 50 points on back-to-back nights.
This illustration shows basketball players' positions on the court. Next, find out how you can join a team.
You don't have to be a world-famous athlete to play basketball. Joining an intramural basketball team is a great way to get exercise and make new friends.
For more information about hoop dreams, check out How Basketball Works or test your knowledge with the Basketball Quiz.
