NBA Top Shot is diving into basketball history with our 1986-87 collection of exclusive video collectibles capturing the best of a beloved era. Your chance to own these Moments begins with a series of pack drops on September 21, 22 and 23 — but don’t worry, whether or not you land a pack or the pack you collect has your favorite players inside, you can find every new Moment in the Top Shot Marketplace after the drop.
Here’s a look at the 1986-87 Point Guards coming to Top Shot. Want to own their limited edition video collectibles? Create your Top Shot account today.
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Doc Rivers, Atlanta Hawks (Common, In Packs)
ABOUT DOC RIVERS
You may know Glenn “Doc” Rivers as one of the league’s all-time coaches, but he should be remembered for his playing days too.
Rivers, a pass-first point guard, helped run the show for Atlanta between 1985-1989, an impressive four-year run in which the Hawks won 50 or more games in each season.
Driving pace in transition was one of Rivers’ strongest assets. As a 6’4” ball handler, he could see over the defense and had the length to finish in traffic.
In 1986-87, Doc Rivers recorded his only season averaging a double-double in points and assists. The next season, he was selected to his lone All-Star appearance, when he averaged 14.2 PPG and 9.3 APG. He still holds the Hawks franchise record for assists (3,866).
With his court vision and experience on a handful of the league’s smartest benches, there’s no surprise Rivers is a master teacher of the game.
ABOUT THE MOMENT (WATCH THE MOMENT)
When opportunity knocks, knock back. Doc Rivers does just that when a double team surrounds a teammate in the post. After catching a bailout pass in the paint, Rivers wastes no time making the most of it, rising up for a thunderous one-handed slam over a much-taller Detroit Pistons defender. Rivers was resourceful with his chances, contributing six points, eight assists, two steals and two blocks in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals on May 8, 1987.
Spud Webb, Atlanta Hawks (Common, Challenge Reward)
ABOUT SPUD WEBB
It was an extraordinary athletic achievement for Spud Webb to play in the NBA, yet alone record respectable numbers over a 12-year career. A 5’6” guard among giants, Webb defied gravity as an undersized pro.
He used his quickness to his advantage, as he accelerated past unsuspecting opponents. On the break, Webb had an awareness and burst to keep defenders on his heels.
With a reported 42+ inch vertical, Webb’s awe-inspiring leaping skills helped him win the 1986 Slam Dunk Contest, and turned him into a fan-favorite overnight.
At his prime, during the 1992-93 season, Webb provided 16 PPG, 7.1 APG and 1.6 SPG in his first year as a starter with the Kings.
Webb was a true underdog.
Mark Price, Cleveland Cavaliers (Rare, In Packs)
ABOUT MARK PRICE
An unforgettable ball handler and orchestrator within the pick-and-roll, Mark Price was the man who made the Cavaliers offense go.
Price, a four-time All-Star and four-time All-NBA standout, unified Cleveland with his leadership and passing ability for nearly a decade with the franchise.
He’s one of only nine players in NBA history to be in the 50/40/90 club, meaning he averaged over 50% from the field, 40% from three and 90% from the line in a season (1988-89).
He was a pioneer of the game in the way he split defenders and put up tough floaters in the lane. Price was also a knock-down shooting point guard – one of the best of his generation – and over his career, he held a 40.2% rate from three and averaged 15.2 PPG.
If it wasn’t for LeBron James, Mark Price would hold the Cavaliers franchise records for assists, steals and value over replacement player (VORP).
ABOUT THE MOMENT (WATCH THE MOMENT)
Mark Price was known as an deadeye marksman in his 12 NBA seasons — he shot .472 from the field, won two three-point contests and is one of the best foul shooters in league history. But that wasn’t the only way Price could deal damage and the Los Angeles Lakers found that out the hard way. With his ability to break down the defense off the dribble, the longtime Cleveland Cavaliers guard showcases his enviable handle in the open court, confronting a defender one-on-one and badly fooling him with a head-turning, behind-the-back crossover before finishing at the rim. Price made a significant impact even as a rookie, coming off the bench to score 18 points on 9-for-12 shooting to pair with three rebounds and three assists on March 7, 1987.
Derek Harper, Dallas Mavericks (Common, In Packs)
ABOUT DEREK HARPER
A reliable point guard option, Derek Harper was the consummate teammate.
He fit the mold of whatever his teams needed – whether that be a scoring punch, an assist-maker or a gnarly perimeter defender.
Harper never made an All-Star team, but his numbers were worthy of a bid.
That was true especially in Dallas, where in a stretch between 1986 and 1993, he averaged over 16 PPG and 5 APG through his seven prime statistical seasons. The Mavericks retired his No. 12 jersey for his contributions.
Harper’s resume also includes two All-Defensive Team nods, two Conference Finals appearances and he’s 15th on the NBA’s all-time steals list.
ABOUT THE MOMENT (WATCH THE MOMENT)
Elite ball handlers like Derek Harper need little more than a blink of the eye to make a defense look lost in the woods. Before the New York Knicks have a chance to react, Harper already has them beat, catching an outlet pass at halfcourt. Faking a behind-the-back pass to a teammate, Harper changes course at the same moment, instead deciding to rise up just inside the foul line for a barely-contested layup. Despite having two defenders in front of him, Harper conquers both in a split second, with the fake out part of his 17-point performance that also included three rebounds, seven assists, two steals and two blocks in a 108-103 road win for the Dallas Mavericks on January 13, 1987.
Fat Lever, Denver Nuggets (Rare, In Packs)
ABOUT FAT LEVER
The Nuggets could count on Fat Lever in every dimension of the game. He was not a physically striking player – he only measured at 6’3” and 170 lbs. – but his impact stretched farther than his frame indicated.
Lever’s best stint was a 6-season period in Denver, in which he gathered two All-Star appearances, one All-NBA nod and one All-Defensive Team selection.
Due to his all-around nature, Lever was terrific at feeding teammates in sweet spots and snatching rebounds from taller opponents. Over his career, he averaged 6.2 APG and 6 RPG.
In the 1986-87 season, he led the league in triple-doubles (16), outdoing the likes of Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Clyde Drexler and more.
As a defensive menace, Lever gave passers fits. His career 2.2 steals per game is ranked No. 5 on the NBA’s all-time list.
Lever is one of the league’s most underrated multi-faceted greats.
ABOUT THE MOMENT (WATCH THE MOMENT)
Fat Lever was a triple-double threat every time he laced up his high-tops, as his multifaceted attack could beat you in any number of ways. In Game 2 of the First Round, Lever was a handful for the star-studded Los Angeles Lakers to deal with — despite an elite defender glued to his every move, Lever still somehow whips a missile of a pass from outside the arc into the waiting arms of a Denver Nuggets teammate, who finishes underneath with a layup. The two-time All-Star’s versatile skill set was on display all night, carving up the Lakers for 26 points, 10 rebounds, nine assists and three steals on April 25, 1987.
Isiah Thomas, Detroit Pistons (Legendary, In Packs)
ABOUT ISIAH THOMAS
Anyone who underestimated Isiah Thomas’ competitive nature and win-at-all-costs mentality learned the hard way. His smile fooled opponents – Thomas was as serious and determined as anyone on the court, and he rivaled the greatest point guards of his generation.
Thomas was ahead of his time as a point guard. He remained a floor general, but assumed both a major scoring and assisting role.
In 13 seasons – all with the Pistons – he averaged 19.2 PPG and 9.3 APG. Thomas could dice up defenders in spectacular fashion and deliver pinpoint dimes to his “Bad Boys” teammates.
He’s the Pistons franchise leader in points, assists, steals and games played.
Thomas made an All-Star appearance in every season except his last, won a Finals MVP and his 9,061 assists are 9th-best in league history.
ABOUT THE MOMENT (WATCH THE MOMENT)
Any team foolish enough to underestimate Isiah Thomas’ win-at-all-costs mentality would often come to regret it - but it’s the joy with which he celebrated this win in particular that’s stood the test of time. Down by one in the waning seconds of Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals, one of the best facilitators in league history enters go-mode, deciding to take on all comers and finish the job himself. In three dribbles, Thomas slices and dices his way through the heart of a tough Atlanta Hawks defense, confronting a double team at the rim and somehow converting an acrobatic layup just ahead of the final buzzer. The two-time champion and future Hall of Famer — as well as Detroit’s franchise leader in points, assists and steals — refused to be denied, tallying 31 points, three rebounds, three assists and three steals in the Pistons’ thrilling 89-88 victory at the Silverdome on May 10, 1987.
Sleepy Floyd, Golden State Warriors (Rare, In Packs)
ABOUT SLEEPY FLOYD
With an ability to pour in points at will, Sleepy Floyd was one of the top slashing scorers of his generation.
Floyd, a one-time All-Star, implemented a soft touch around the rim, but relentlessly attacked the paint with spinning moves and twisting layups. He made finger-roll finishes and off-balance reverse lay-ins look routine. As a vital contributor to the Warriors, Floyd averaged 18.1 PPG in a full four-season stretch with the franchise.
In a notable 1987 Western Conference Semifinals appearance vs. the Lakers, Floyd put on a Game 5 performance to remember. He erupted for 51 points to fight off elimination, and set NBA records that still stand today for most Playoff points in a quarter (29) and for a half (39).
Always making a winning impact, Floyd is No. 9 on Golden State’s all-time list for Value Over Replacement Player, a stat recognized for a player’s overall significance to his team.
ABOUT THE MOMENT (WATCH THE MOMENT)
With his Golden State Warriors on the verge of postseason elimination, it was the man they called Sleepy who refused to turn off the lights. In his lone All-Star season, Sleepy Floyd shows why he was deserving of such an honor, slicing and dicing his way through the star-studded Los Angeles Lakers defense en route to a stylish layup in Game 4 of the Western Conference Semifinals. Although the Lakers would go on to win the series in the next game, Floyd kept Golden State breathing with the game of his life — a career-high 51 points on 18-for-26 shooting, while adding 10 assists, three rebounds and four steals in the 129-121 triumph on May 10, 1987.
Magic Johnson, Los Angeles Lakers (Legendary, In Packs)
ABOUT MAGIC JOHNSON
The legend of Magic Johnson can only be told in glamorous fashion.
The five-time NBA Champion and three-time regular season and Finals MVP initiated an iconic era in Los Angeles. His dizzying passes and highlight-reel swagger sent shockwaves across the league.
With Magic as your teammate, you were always open. He ignited LA’s ‘80s dynasty with flair. Behind-the-back, no-look and dump-off dimes – they were all in his arsenal. He made the triple-double mainstream.
Magic was a 12-time All-Star, and man oh man, could he bring the starpower.
He’s 5th on the Lakers franchise all-time scoring list (17,707 PTS), and 1st in assists (10,141).
There likely will never be another player like Magic to grace the league.
ABOUT THE MOMENT (WATCH THE MOMENT)
It’s the greatest rivalry in professional sports for a reason. Down by a single point in the closing seconds of Game 4 of the 1987 NBA Finals, was there ever a doubt who would play the role of hero for the Los Angeles Lakers? En route to his third Finals MVP award, Johnson makes the impossible look routine, securing an inbound pass in a hostile Boston Garden. After a quick pump fake in the corner, the 12-time All-Star puts the ball on the floor, maneuvering his way into the lane to unfurl a flawless baby hook shot despite the efforts of three Boston Celtics defenders attempting to deny the iconic moment. The dagger – instantly immortalized as the joyful superstar’s ‘junior junior skyhook’ – sealed the Lakers’ 107-106 victory, giving them a commanding 3-1 series lead in the ultimate series. Five days later Johnson would secure his fourth of five championship rings - and his final championship victory over his longtime rival.
Maurice Cheeks, Philadelphia 76ers (Rare, In Packs)
ABOUT MAURICE CHEEKS
One of the top floor generals the league has ever seen, Maurice Cheeks was committed to making his teammates better and taking care of the ball.
As a perimeter defender, Cheeks more than held his own. He swallowed up lazy passes. He took pride in possession, and displayed spectacular anticipation. Countless times, he picked pockets in the low post and stole from loose dribblers in the backcourt.
His defensive IQ led him to 2310 career steals, currently 6th all-time, and four All-Defensive First Team selections.
For his career, Cheeks holds a 3.26 assist-to-turnover ratio, a Top-5 mark in NBA history (with a minimum of 7,000 assists).
ABOUT THE MOMENT (WATCH THE MOMENT)
As both a legendary passer and defender, Maurice Cheeks was a nightly threat to post an unorthodox triple-double. The longtime Philadelphia 76er puts both skills on display, first dislodging a steal on the defensive end and racing the other way in transition. Pushing the ball up the floor at a frenetic pace, Cheeks —in his second of three straight All-Star selections — confronts two defenders in the lane before making the decision to dish a graceful touch pass to a waiting teammate. The four-time NBA All-Defensive first team member tormented the San Antonio Spurs with his patented two-way attack, tallying 17 points, 18 assists and eight steals in his squad’s 114-97 triumph on November 7, 1986.
Terry Porter, Portland Trail Blazers (Common, In Packs)
ABOUT TERRY PORTER
When Terry Porter pushed the ball ahead, he seemingly always found the open man.
A two-time All-Star with Portland, Porter’s command of the offense helped guide the Trail Blazers to the postseason in every year he was with the team (1985-1995), including two trips to the NBA Finals.
Porter was known for having eyes in the back of his head, routinely dropping dimes behind his back and over his shoulder in transition. He’s the only player in Portland’s history to average double-digit assists in a season (10.1 – a career high in 1988), and his 5,319 assists with the Trail Blazers is No. 1 on the franchise’s all-time list.
Dishing out was Porter’s strong suit, but he could score too. Across his two All-Star campaigns, he averaged 17.6 PPG.
As one of the West’s top floor generals of his era, Porter is 17th among the NBA’s all-time assists leaders.
ABOUT THE MOMENT (WATCH THE MOMENT)
Terry Porter ranks in the top-20 all-time with over 7,000 career assists — but that doesn’t mean he ever shied away from taking a big shot with the game on the line. In a matchup ultimately decided by overtime, the Portland Trail Blazers legendary point guard showcases his nose for big moments, trailing a dribbling teammate in transition before catching a running pass in the lane and going up strong for the game-tying layup. Porter’s clutch bucket — and 15-point, six-rebound, 16-assist performance — helped his squad prevail in a 145-141 thriller against the Denver Nuggets on January 26, 1987.
Reggie Theus, Sacramento Kings (Common, In Packs)
ABOUT REGGIE THEUS
With a tantalizing blend of height, passing and playmaking, Reggie Theus found ways to put on a show.
Theus was an underrated bucket-getter, averaging 18.5 PPG over his career. He collected two All-Star appearances as the leading scorer for the Bulls in the 1981 and 1983 seasons.
There was a simple fluidity to Theus’ game. He was superb at altering his shots – or passes – in mid-air to make last-second decisions.
He was difficult to contain in transition, and pulled off Magic-esque passes on the break. During a 1984-85 season of no-look and drop-off dimes, Theus recorded a total 788 assists on the year, the 3rd-most in the NBA.
Theus is currently 4th on the Kings all-time assists list. He played a part in paving the way for the NBA’s new generation of 6’7'' creators.
ABOUT THE MOMENT (WATCH THE MOMENT)
Why choose substance over style when you can have both? Leading the transition attack, Reggie Theus goes coast-to-coast for the Sacramento Kings, dribbling into the heart of the Portland Trail Blazers defense before tricking all challengers with a nimble spin move into the lane and finishing with a finger roll lay-in. The two-time All-Star — and future head coach of the Kings — scored 10 points and dished out four assists on January 23, 1987.
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Happy Run It Back Week! See you at the pack drops.
