NBA timeline
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Magic Johnson Named League MVP
In the 1988–89 NBA season, Johnson's 22.5 points, 12.8 assists, and 7.9 rebounds per game earned him his second MVP award, and the Lakers reached... Read more
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The Chicago Bulls Defeat the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 5 of the 1991 NBA Finals
The Bulls would defeat the Lakers in 4 games to 1. This would ultimately turn out to be Magic Johnson's last NBA Finals appearance, who was without... Read more
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Magic Johnson Announces He is HIV+ and Retires From Basketball
After a physical before the 1991–92 NBA season, Johnson discovered that he had tested positive for HIV. In a press conference held on November 7,... Read more
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Larry Bird Announces Retirement
Following his Olympic experience, on August 18, 1992, Bird announced his retirement as an NBA player. He finished his career with averages of more... Read more
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Michael Jordan Announces His Retirement
On October 6, 1993, Jordan announced his retirement, citing a loss of desire to play the game. Jordan later stated that the murder of his father... Read more
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Magic Johnson Returns to Playing for the Lakers
He returned to the NBA as coach of the Lakers near the end of the 1993–94 NBA season, replacing Randy Pfund. After losing five of six games,... Read more
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Magic Johnson Final Retirement
May 14, 1996: Final retirement. Finished regular season with averages of 14.6 points, 5.7 rebounds and 6.9 assists per game. Lakers are eliminated... Read more
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1996 NBA Finals - Bulls Defeat Sonics
In the playoffs, the Bulls lost only three games in four series, defeating Gary Payton, Shawn Kemp, head coach George Karl and their Seattle... Read more
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Larry Bird is Introduced as Indiana Pacers Head Coach
May 12, 1997 Frustrated with his largely ceremonial duties as special assistant to Celtics owner Paul Gaston, Bird begins to pursue other options.... Read more
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1997 NBA Finals - Bulls Defeat Jazz
Game 1 Despite having a toe injury earlier, Scottie Pippen helped the Bulls to a 84-82 win over Utah on Sunday night. Pippen scored 27 points... Read more
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Larry Bird is Named NBA Coach of the Year
May 12, 1998 Named NBA Coach of the Year, having led the Pacers to a 58-24 record, the best in franchise history. He is the fourth first-year... Read more
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1998 NBA Finals - Bulls Defeat Jazz
Games 1 and 2 Unlike the 1997 Finals, the Jazz and Bulls entered this series as equals. The Jazz had won both regular season match-ups with the... Read more
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1999 NBA Finals - Spurs Defeat Knicks
The 1999 NBA season was shortened due to a labor dispute that led to a lockout, canceling the first 3 months of the season, literally making this... Read more
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2000 NBA Finals - Lakers Beat Pacers
It's a Wrap by Phil Taylor They finally figured it out. It was there on both their faces, the jubilation and relief that came with knowing... Read more
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2001 NBA Finals - Lakers Defeat Sixers
Take Two for Tinseltown Nobody's perfect, not even the Los Angeles Lakers. They sure came close, though. The winningest postseason run in NBA... Read more
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Tim Duncan Wins 2002 NBA MVP Award
It's official: Duncan captures MVP award By T.A. Badger SAN ANTONIO — San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan edged New Jersey Nets guard Jason... Read more
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2002 NBA Finals - Lakers Defeat Nets
Shaq, MJ only players to win three straight Finals MVPs EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -- Shaq got his three-peat, too. Shaquille O'Neal,... Read more
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Sports Illustrated Calls James 'The Chosen One', a Name that Stuck
Comparisons to NBA superstar Michael Jordan (1963–) became common, and some sportswriters began calling James "The Chosen One," indicating the hope... Read more
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Tim Duncan Wins Second Straight NBA MVP
Tim Duncan has been named NBA's Most Valuable Player for the second consecutive season. Duncan led the San Antonio Spurs to a league best record of... Read more
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2003 NBA Finals - Spurs Beat Nets
Spurs Cut Down Nets to Win NBA Title With it all on the line, Tim Duncan did it all. The San Antonio Spurs won their second title as Duncan... Read more
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Kevin Garnett Wins 2004 NBA MVP Award
May 3, 2004 — Timberwolves forward Kevin Garnett has been named the winner of the Maurice Podoloff Trophy as the league's Most Valuable Player, the... Read more
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LeBron James Wins NBA Rookie of the Year
During the 2003-2004 season, James made history, becoming the first member of the Cavalier franchise to win the NBA Rookie of the Year award. He... Read more
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2004 NBA Finals - Pistons Beat Lakers
Motown is Titletown AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- The Lakers left the court in pieces. Karl Malone kept his head down, Shaquille O'Neal absently... Read more
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Steve Nash Named 2005 NBA MVP
Steve Nash is NBA Most Valuable Player Steve Nash of the Phoenix Suns was named the winner of the Maurice Podoloff Trophy as the NBA’s Most... Read more
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2005 NBA Finals Spurs Defeat Pistons
Spurs deny Pistons' bid to repeat Spurs win Game 7 and NBA Championship SAN ANTONIO (AP) -- Spurred by the will and wonder of Tim Duncan, San... Read more