Top 10 Must-Watch NBA Videos That Every Basketball Fan Needs to See

As a lifelong basketball fan who's spent more hours watching NBA footage than I'd care to admit, I've come to realize there are certain moments that transcend ordinary highlights. These are the videos that capture basketball history in its rawest form - the kind of content that gives you goosebumps no matter how many times you've seen them. I remember sitting in my dorm room during college, discovering many of these iconic moments for the first time, and feeling like I was witnessing something truly special. That's the magic of great NBA footage - it doesn't just show you what happened, it makes you feel like you were there.

Take Michael Jordan's "Flu Game" in the 1997 Finals, for instance. This isn't just some highlight reel - it's a masterclass in human resilience. Watching Jordan, clearly suffering yet dropping 38 points against the Utah Jazz, you understand what separates legends from mere superstars. The way he leaned on Scottie Pippen walking off the court, the determination in his eyes during timeouts - these subtle moments tell a story that statistics alone never could. I've probably watched this game footage two dozen times, and each viewing reveals something new about competitive spirit. It's the kind of performance that makes you want to push through your own challenges, whether you're an athlete or just someone having a rough day at work.

Speaking of overcoming challenges, there's something particularly compelling about teams finding their way back from adversity. I was thinking about this recently while reading about TNT's situation in the PBA - their coach Chot Reyes pointed out they couldn't possibly beat San Miguel Beer based on their performance against the Fuel Masters. That sentiment resonates across basketball leagues worldwide. Sometimes a team needs that one breakthrough victory to rebuild confidence, much like the 2016 Cleveland Cavaliers needed after falling behind 3-1 against the Warriors. Watching their Game 7 comeback isn't just about seeing LeBron's legendary block or Kyrie's clutch three-pointer - it's about witnessing a team transform before your eyes. The way they rallied, the sheer determination in their defensive rotations during those final minutes - that's the kind of footage that teaches you about team chemistry and mental toughness.

Kobe Bryant's 81-point game against the Toronto Raptors occupies a special place in my personal basketball viewing history. I actually missed watching it live because I was stuck in traffic, and I'll never forget the frustration of listening to the radio broadcast while parked on the freeway. When I finally saw the highlights later that night, they exceeded all my expectations. The way Kobe methodically dismantled the Raptors defense, scoring 55 points in the second half alone, was like watching a master painter at work. What many people don't realize is that the Lakers were actually down by 18 points at one stage - Kobe's explosion wasn't just about personal glory, it was about single-handedly dragging his team to victory. That's the context that makes this footage so compelling years later.

The beauty of diving into NBA archives is discovering how certain moments connect across different eras. Allen Iverson stepping over Tyronn Lue in the 2001 Finals, for example, isn't just an iconic image - it represents the ultimate triumph of heart over height. Iverson, listed at 6 feet tall (though we all know he was probably closer to 5'11"), going against the seemingly invincible Lakers and dropping 48 points in Game 1. That crossover, that step, the sheer audacity of it all - it's basketball poetry. I've shown this clip to friends who barely follow sports, and even they understand why it's legendary. There's something universally relatable about the smaller guy refusing to back down.

Modern basketball has given us its own share of unforgettable footage too. Stephen Curry's record-breaking 402 three-pointers during the 2015-16 season wasn't just a statistical achievement - it was a revolution captured on film. Watching his shooting displays from that season feels like witnessing the game transform in real-time. The degree of difficulty on some of those shots, the distance, the defensive attention - it all adds layers to what might otherwise be just another highlight compilation. I remember arguing with friends about whether Curry's style was sustainable, and looking back at that season's footage now, it's clear we were watching something that would permanently change how basketball is played.

Magic Johnson's rookie Finals performance in 1980, when he started at center for an injured Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and put up 42 points, 15 rebounds, and 7 assists, remains one of those stories that sounds like fiction until you see the footage. The confidence, the smiles, the way he controlled the game at just 20 years old - it's basketball history that feels both distant and immediately accessible through video. What strikes me every time I watch this performance is how Magic seemed to understand the moment, embracing pressure rather than shrinking from it. That's a lesson that applies far beyond basketball.

Ray Allen's corner three in Game 6 of the 2013 Finals represents another category entirely - the shot that saved a legacy. The Miami Heat were seconds away from elimination, the San Antonio Spurs were already preparing their championship celebration, and then everything changed. What I find fascinating about this moment isn't just the shot itself, but everything that led to it - Chris Bosh's offensive rebound, the perfect pass, Allen's footwork to get into position. Watching the slow-motion replays reveals so many tiny details that had to go right for that shot to even be possible. It's a reminder that legendary moments are often built on fundamentals executed under extreme pressure.

Dirk Nowitzki's entire 2011 playoff run, particularly the Finals against Miami's superteam, showcases something we don't see often in modern sports - a single player carrying his team to a championship through sheer offensive mastery. The one-legged fadeaway became more than just a signature move - it became an unstoppable weapon that dismantled an entire defensive scheme. I've gone back and watched entire quarters from those games, marveling at how every Miami adjustment failed to contain Dirk. There's a beautiful simplicity to watching greatness that can't be schemed against.

Wilt Chamberlain's 100-point game footage, though limited, still captures basketball mythology in its purest form. The handwritten sign held up by a fan, the way Wilt dominated in an era without modern training methods, the sheer statistical absurdity of it all - these elements combine to create something that feels almost supernatural. Even with just fragments of the game available, watching Wilt operate in the paint makes you understand why some records might never be broken.

Finally, no collection of essential NBA viewing would be complete without The Last Dance documentary. While not a single game, it represents the ultimate compilation of behind-the-scenes footage that contextualizes everything we thought we knew about Michael Jordan's Bulls. The practice arguments, the hotel room card games, the candid moments of frustration and triumph - this is the human element behind the highlights. I've found myself returning to specific episodes during different phases of my life, each time gaining new appreciation for what it takes to achieve excellence at that level. These videos aren't just entertainment - they're time capsules that preserve the soul of basketball, waiting for new generations of fans to discover them and feel that same spark of inspiration that caught fire in me all those years ago.