Curated playlist
Basketball players at the 2012 Summer Olympics
- Kevin DurantKevin Durant wore number 35 to honor his murdered youth coach. Charles Craig was 35 when he died.
- LeBron JamesLeBron James led Cleveland back from a 3-1 Finals deficit, a first in NBA history. It ended a 52-year title wait.
- Kobe BryantKobe Bryant scored 81 points against Toronto in 2006, the second-highest NBA game total ever.
- Pau GasolPau Gasol first wanted to be a doctor and cure AIDS. Magic Johnson's 1991 announcement changed the boy's plans.
- Manu GinóbiliManu Ginóbili was picked 57th in the NBA draft and still reached the Hall of Fame.
- Leandro BarbosaLeandro Barbosa won a Sixth Man of the Year Award without starting most nights.
- Kevin LoveKevin Love grabbed 31 rebounds in one game in November 2010. It set a Timberwolves record.
- Tony ParkerTony Parker was nearly sent home from a Spurs camp after 10 minutes. A highlight tape won him a second chance.
- Luol DengAt 13, Luol Deng averaged 40 points a game against players up to five years older. He had already fled a civil war.
- Yi JianlianYi Jianlian's own agent warned the Bucks not to draft him. Milwaukee took him sixth overall in 2007 anyway.
- Becky HammonBecky Hammon went to Spurs practices on a knee injury and left as a coach.
- Andrei KirilenkoAndrei Kirilenko's nickname, AK-47, came from the city where the rifle was first made. He was born there in 1981.