This was the moment the torch was officially passed over from Magic Johnson to Michael Jordan. They met in the NBA Finals in 91, in which Jordan was able to able overcome Johnson at his own game, averaging 31.2 ppg and 11.4 assists en route to a 4-1 victory. 

The series win kick started the first of two 3 peats, and the Jordan dominance in the NBA. It would also be the last full season Magic would play, as he announced his retirement the ensuing summer, due to testing positive to HIV.

It would have been great if these two icons of the game were able to meet each other a few more times in the finals. No doubt they are the greatest to play in their positions and possibly the two greatest players of all time.

When MJ retired (the first time) Patrick barely got through the Bulls and realised his dream of playing in the finals – problem is, he came up against the ‘The Dream’.

Hakeem was playing out of his mind and dominating the NBA on a scale that was similar to MJ. He was unstoppable in the post and just as dominating on the defensive end.

During that 93-94 season, Hakeem became the first player to win the MVP, Finals MVP and defensive player of the year all in the same season. He went on to dominate again the following year by leading the Rockets to a 4 game sweep in the finals over a young Orlando Magic team, lead by Shaquille O’Neal.

These two met in the Western Conference Finals in 95, and David Robinson had just been awarded the MVP trophy. Hakeem had received the award the previous season and the normally reserved Olajuwon was reported to have been upset at Robinson beating him out to the award.

The ‘Dream’ then set out to proving to the world that not only was he the best center in the league, but he was the most dominating force. What we witnessed then was somewhat of a massacre, with the ‘Dream’ pulling out moves that made Robinson feel like he was in a nightmare!

Unfortunately for Robinson, who was a terrific center in his own right, is remembered for being dominated in this series, and to this day, it is regarded as one of the best individual performances by any center in a playoff series.

Artwork by French artist, Caroline Blanchet