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 Power Forwards coming to Top Shot. Want to own their limited edition video collectibles? Create your Top Shot account today.
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Kevin Willis, Atlanta Hawks (Common, In Packs)
ABOUT KEVIN WILLIS
Kevin Willis was a bulldozing, double-double machine in his prime.
Willis earned one All-Star and All-NBA appearance over an impressively prolonged career. As a forceful slasher, he overpowered and outmuscled defenders that got in his way. When he dunked, Willis shook and hung on the rim, providing additional flair to the 1980s Hawks who shined in transition.
His 1986-87 season with Atlanta was the first time he averaged a double-double (16.1 PPG, 10.5 RPG), but he later went on to accomplish that same statistical feat in four straight campaigns (1991-1995).
He earned a ring as a reserve with the 2003 Spurs, and while still playing professionally at the age of 44, Willis became one of only five players in NBA history to play 21 or more seasons.
ABOUT THE MOMENT (WATCH THE MOMENT)
Why choose between luck and skill when you can have both? When an Atlanta Hawks teammate encounters a double team in the post, Kevin Willis springs into action, catching a pass in the lane as his body hurtles toward the basket. Improvising as he goes, Willis rises up into the chest of a defender, unfurling an acrobatic scoop layup that somehow bounces high off the glass and through the bottom of the net. The difficult conversion was part of an 18-point, 15-rebound effort that helped the Hawks prevail 115-105 over the Boston Celtics on February 27, 1987.
Kevin McHale, Boston Celtics (Legendary, In Packs)
ABOUT KEVIN MCHALE
A footwork savant, Kevin McHale loved receiving the ball in the post. When faced with one-on-one situations on the block, that was the perennial All-Star’s time to go to work.
McHale bolstered Boston’s frontcourt during the ‘80s and early ‘90s, and his proficiency in the paint helped guide the Celtics to three titles during his 13-year tenure with the franchise.
When he first entered the league, McHale established himself as a revolutionary reserve. He’d come off the bench, but perform well enough to stick around, tallying approximately 28-30 minutes per game. He collected the 6th Man of the Year award in consecutive years (‘84 and ‘85).
Players around the NBA learned lessons from McHale on any given night. He mystified opponents in the way his awkward frame remained in control. During his in-game clinics, he’d pump fake, dribble hard, spin, lean, pivot and twist his way to success.
You didn’t want to see him on the D-end either. McHale holds six All-Defensive appearances to prove it. Anyone lucky enough to get past other Boston behemoths likely had to face McHale, who never shied away from a collision.
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A seven-time All-Star also named three times to the NBA All-Defensive First Team, Kevin McHale was renowned for his legendary chops on both sides of the ball. Hobbled by both a sprained ankle and broken foot – and wearing the walking boot to show for it – McHale’s toughness was on full display during Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Despite his limitations, McHale lays it all on the line sprinting to the corner to chase down an offensive rebound and save it from going out of bounds, then getting himself back into position, calling for the rock and driving hard to the baseline for a rim-rattling slam. The 1987 All-NBA First Team selection and future Hall of Famer – enjoying the most dominant individual season of his career – managed to post 26 points and 15 rebounds in the 119-113 closeout win over the Milwaukee Bucks on May 17, 1987.
Charles Oakley, Chicago Bulls (Common, In Packs)
ABOUT CHARLES OAKLEY
If you’re searching for an enforcer, look no further. Anyone who understood Charles Oakley’s strengths was probably an unfortunate soul. A brick wall of a power forward, Oakley exhibited heart and determination as the rock of the late ‘80s Bulls and ‘90s Knicks.
Nobody wanted near Oakley’s outstretched arms. He led the league in total rebounds two years in a row (1074 in ‘86-87 and 1066 in ‘87-88). Never passive, Oakley crashed the glass hard, and remains the Knicks leader in all-time offensive rebounds (2,580).
After 8 years without accolades to validate him as a talented force in the league, in the 1993-94 season with New York, Oakley gained his lone All-Star and All-Defensive First Team appearance.
Oakley, known as “Oak,” was sturdier than his tree moniker. His grinding attitude resonated across the NBA during a span of three decades.
ABOUT THE MOMENT (WATCH THE MOMENT)
Charles Oakley played the game with a renowned tough-nosed edginess, averaging double-digit rebounds six times in his career. Oakley’s brutish enforcer style was a nightmare for opponents to deal with, as his sheer willpower and refusal to be denied often led to second chance points. Playing in his second season, Oakley provides the Cleveland Cavaliers a preview of what’s to come, confronting two defenders at the rim for a layup attempt that is swatted away. Never one to give up easily, the Chicago Bulls forward tries again, wrestling control of his own miss and converting underneath while drawing a foul. Oakley — who led the league in total rebounds that season — exasperated the Cavs all game to the tune of 15 points, 12 rebounds, six assists and three steals in his squad’s convincing 117-96 victory on January 23, 1987.
Hot Rod Williams, Cleveland Cavaliers (Common, In Packs)
ABOUT HOT ROD WILLIAMS
In his prime seasons, Hot Rod Williams was regarded as a fearless sixth man among the league. The Cavaliers called Williams, “the humble embodiment and unsung hero of one of the most memorable and successful eras of Cavaliers basketball.”
Unselfishly, Williams played across multiple positions – he was a 6’11” forward who could co-exist with a traditional center. He was patient in the post, but succeeded without demanding the ball. As an offensive rebounder and slasher, he generated extra opportunities.
Defensively, Williams drew the toughest assignments. At the basket, he contested anyone and everyone. He collected 1200 blocks with the Cavaliers – currently No. 2 on the franchise’s all-time list.
ABOUT THE MOMENT (WATCH THE MOMENT)
Superstar players spend their entire career making defenders look foolish but what about when the tables are turned? Hot Rod Williams, a fearless rookie that doesn’t back down, shows exactly what. Rising high in the lane to emphatically deny a legend’s finger roll, the first-year forward becomes the catalyst for a subsequent Cleveland Cavaliers transition opportunity. A member of the All-Rookie First Team that season, Williams was a force to be reckoned with on both ends of the court, tallying 24 points, 10 rebounds, two assists and three blocks in the overtime battle against the Boston Celtics on January 16, 1987.
Michael Cage, Los Angeles Clippers (Common, In Packs)
ABOUT MICHAEL CAGE
Michael Cage left his mark on the NBA with his sheer will and determination under the basket. A blue-collar big, Cage flourished while under duress.
Cleaning the glass was his specialty through 15 years with the Clippers, SuperSonics, Cavaliers, 76ers and Nets. Never flashy, Cage honorably played his role, tasked to rip away at the boards and take whatever came to him on offense.
In his first 14 seasons in the league, Cage rarely missed time on the floor – he played more than 71 games in each campaign.
In the 1986-87 season, Cage recorded 15.7 PPG and 11.5 RPG for his first averaged double-double. The following year, he rivaled Charles Oakley for the rebounding crown and won. On a last-ditch effort, he tallied 30 rebounds on the final night of the year to capture the title with an even 13 RPG.
ABOUT THE MOMENT (WATCH THE MOMENT)
On second thought, let’s try that again! Enveloped by a double team, Michael Cage passes out of the post to a teammate behind the arc before immediately calling for the ball again. This time, the LA Clippers big man takes on all challengers, catching the re-entry pass with his back to the basket before making his move and converting a one-handed flip shot while drawing the foul. Cage barely missed in this one, connecting on 8 of 10 field goals while going 8-for-9 at the stripe on his way to 24 points, 13 rebounds and two blocks in his squad’s 111-101 win on March 25, 1987.
Kurt Rambis, Los Angeles Lakers (Common, In Packs)
ABOUT KURT RAMBIS
Beloved by his teammates and Laker nation, Kurt Rambis played with fearless determination during his 14-year career, and 9 seasons in LA.
Rambis thrived in doing the dirty work – he rebounded among giants and put his body on the line for loose balls. What made him a seamless fit with the ‘80s Lakers, however, was his willingness to jump out on the fastbreak. Whether inbounding with urgency or dishing ahead, Rambis was an agent of pace.
Statistically, Rambis didn’t turn heads – his 11.1 PPG and 9.4 RPG for one season in Charlotte were each career highs – but his unselfishness was important to Los Angeles’ four championships in the decade.
ABOUT THE MOMENT (WATCH THE MOMENT)
Due to the dynamic star power of the 1986-87 Los Angeles Lakers, it’s understandable that the contributions of its role players are occasionally overlooked. That being said, it’s hard to win four championships without the support of guys like Kurt Rambis. The power forward demonstrates his value in Game 2 of the NBA Finals, finding some open space in the lane thanks to the extra attention paid to his star-studded teammates. As soon as Rambis’ defender fixes his eyes elsewhere, a teammate whips a pass into the post, where Rambis is dutifully waiting to gobble the ball up and slam it home past the Boston Celtics. Rambis produced eight points, five rebounds and two assists in 20 efficient minutes off the bench, helping the Lakers to a 141-122 victory and a 2-0 series lead on June 4, 1987.
Terry Cummings, Milwaukee Bucks (Common, In Packs)
ABOUT TERRY CUMMINGS
Terry Cummings was a striking forward with All-NBA talent.
Possessing long strides and a swooping jump shot, Cummings was a nightmare for opposing defenses for a decade-long stretch. From 1982-1992, while starring on the Clippers, Bucks and Spurs, he averaged 21.2 PPG and 8.7 RPG.
Cummings flourished with a full head of steam on the break, controlling the ball well for his size (6’9”, 220 lbs). He took home Rookie of the Year honors in 1983, and was selected to two All-Star appearances during his career (1985, 1989).
Despite only playing six full seasons with the Bucks, Cummings is 7th on Milwaukee’s all-time Playoff points list. He’s also 57th among the NBA’s all-time scoring leaders – he retired only a couple hundred shy of 20,000 career points.
ABOUT THE MOMENT (WATCH THE MOMENT)
Power forwards who can put the ball on the floor unlock an entirely new level of opportunities. Terry Cummings forces the Dallas Mavericks to pick their poison, surveying the scene in the halfcourt offense before driving strong toward the basket, seemingly hunting for a layup in traffic. Then, while in mid-air, the Milwaukee Bucks mainstay changes course, deciding to whip an acrobatic pass around his defender to a wide open teammate, who finishes the job by burying a jumper. The two-time All-Star fooled the defense all game, tallying 39 points, 15 rebounds, 10 assists and six steals in the overtime contest on January 16, 1987.
Buck Williams, New Jersey Nets (Common, In Packs)
ABOUT BUCK WILLIAMS
Any team would want a player like Buck Williams. He was a hard worker, relentless rebounder and reveled in doing the dirty work.
During a 17-year career in which Williams collected the 1982 Rookie of the Year award, three All-Star appearances and four All-Defensive Team selections, he was known for battling for loose balls and dunking like he was mad at the rim.
Oh, and many remember his trademarked goggles in Portland.
Williams was a twitchy forward who came out of nowhere to snatch seemingly out-of-reach shots that caromed off the glass. To this day he remains the Nets leader in total rebounds (7,576), games played (635) and free throws made (2,476).
When competing for titles – Williams made two Finals appearances with the Trail Blazers – he was a complimentary player driven by toughness and was highly respected among the rest of the league.
ABOUT THE MOMENT (WATCH THE MOMENT)
Facing off against the Nets in the 1980s, opportunistic scorers had to think twice when Buck Williams was on the prowl. An elite rebounder with four All-Defensive Team selections to his name, Williams played like he took it personal anytime an opposing player entered his domain. The New York Knicks found out the hard way, with a once-promising transition attack failing quickly thanks to the three-time All–Star’s heads-up help defense. Seizing the opportunity, Williams glides into the lane to meet a would-be scorer at the rim and rejects his shot so viciously that it sails out of bounds. The Nets’ franchise leader in rebounds made magic on both sides of the ball, posting 30 points on 11-for-13 shooting, while adding a beefy 23 rebounds, four assists and three blocks in a 126-121 victory on March 13, 1987.
Larry Nance, Phoenix Suns (Common, In Packs)
ABOUT LARRY NANCE
With a full head of steam heading toward the hoop, Larry Nance’s main mission was to tear the rim down with him.
Nance was a limitless dunker – he won the first-ever Slam Dunk Contest in 1984 – and he defended the basket with authority. His career 2.2 blocks per game is currently good for 20th on the NBA’s all-time list, which is rare given he wasn’t a traditional center.
One of the keys to Nance’s scoring boom was his proficiency to step out in the mid-range. Nance shot above 51% from the field in every season of his career, excluding his final campaign.
His contributions to Cleveland and Phoenix were honored on multiple occasions. Nance appeared on three All-Star Teams and three All-Defensive Team squads during his tenure in the NBA.
ABOUT THE MOMENT (WATCH THE MOMENT)
As the winner of the inaugural Slam Dunk Contest in 1984, it was already a well-established fact that Larry Nance made magic anytime he took flight. Even without dunking the basketball, the longtime Phoenix Suns forward leaves the crowd awestruck, managing to find himself all alone between the rim and Washington Bullets defense. Nance catches the eye of a teammate atop the key, then leaps up to catch the ball in midair before finishing with an acrobatic up-and-under reverse layup. A model of consistency, the three-time All-Star averaged double-digit points for 12 straight seasons, with 1986-87 topping the list at 22.5 points per game. Against the Bullets, Nance went for 19 points, nine rebounds and three blocks in the January 23, 1987 contest.
Otis Thorpe, Sacramento Kings (Common, In Packs)
ABOUT OTIS THORPE
A sculpted power forward, Otis Thorpe was a supercharged force out in the open floor.
Thorpe, a one-time All-Star, had a unique ability to palm the basketball, routinely finishing with swooping dunks and controlled scoop layups.
Over his prime years with Sacramento – the 1986-87 and 1987-88 seasons – Thorpe averaged a combined 19.9 PPG and 10.1 RPG, and started all 164 games.
Later in his career, Thorpe became an integral part of the 1994 Rockets championship team. Paired with the talent of Hakeem Olajuwon, Thorpe succeeded in a role providing secondary scoring and a knack for crashing the glass.
Across his 17-year career, Thorpe totaled over 17,000 points and 10,000 rebounds, and recorded a 54.5% field goal rate – good for Top 30 in league history.
ABOUT THE MOMENT (WATCH THE MOMENT)
A career .546 shooter over the course of 19 years in the league, Otis Thorpe made more than he missed. Against the Denver Nuggets on this night, he barely missed at all. When a loose ball becomes a 4-on-2 advantage the other way for his Sacramento Kings, Thorpe puts himself in the exact right spot, running parallel to the ball handler on the fast break before finishing off an and-one after receiving a scoop pass from a teammate. Thorpe connected on 11 of his 14 field-goal attempts on his way to a team-high 28 points and 10 rebounds in Sacramento’s 123-117 victory on April 16, 1987.
Tom Chambers, Seattle SuperSonics (Rare, In Packs)
ABOUT TOM CHAMBERS
Tom Chambers played a modern style of basketball, in spite of a frame usually built for a back-to-the-basket player during the ‘80s and ‘90s.
Chambers ran like a gazelle in the open floor, and finished with flair. He was a stunning in-game dunker who would posterize anyone in his way. He could also spot-up from deep on occasion, shooting 31% from 3-point range over his career.
He was a top 10 scorer in the league in back-to-back seasons, averaging 25.7 PPG and 27.2 PPG during the 1988-89 and 1989-90 campaigns, respectively.
Chambers earned four All-Star appearances, guided the Suns to the 1993 NBA Finals and is on the shortlist of NBA players who have scored 60 or more points in a game.
ABOUT THE MOMENT (WATCH THE MOMENT)
Despite getting his professional career started in the 1980s, the 6-foot-10 Tom Chambers possessed several characteristics of modern NBA big men. One of those qualities was the ability to swiftly run the floor and finish above the rim, something he proudly displays here against the Philadelphia 76ers. As a teammate leads a transition attack, Chambers dutifully glides alongside him. Catching a pass on the right elbow, Chambers takes one dribble into the paint before finishing with an over-the-shoulder tomahawk jam through contact. It was a strong performance in Chambers’ first of four All-Star seasons — he also was named MVP of that contest — as his 22-point, three-rebound, six-assist showing was critical for the Seattle SuperSonics on January 21, 1987.
Karl Malone, Utah Jazz (Rare, In Packs)
ABOUT KARL MALONE
Longevity and brawn were the cornerstones of Karl Malone’s Hall of Fame career.
Malone was a workhorse power forward, and is arguably the best ever at his position. He currently ranks 3rd on the NBA’s career scoring list (32,928) and is 7th on the NBA’s career rebounding list, for both the regular season and Playoffs.
His accolades are remarkable. Over his NBA lifespan, Malone collected two regular season MVPs, 14 All-NBA selections and four All-Defensive Team bids.
The pick-and-roll combination of Stockton and Malone was an undeniable force. “The Mailman” rolled to the rim like a linebacker, and finished through contact unlike any other player from the ‘80s and ‘90s. He still holds a league record for most free throws attempted.
Over a 19-year career, Malone relentlessly delivered – and accepted – blows.
ABOUT THE MOMENT (WATCH THE MOMENT)
Over the course of a legendary 18-year career, the one we called ‘The Mailman’ had a tendency to deliver. Rewinding all the way back to his second season, Karl Malone showcases his innate ability to always be in the right place at the perfect time, trailing the play as a Utah Jazz teammate takes on three Golden State Warriors in transition. When the ball handler decides on an acrobatic pass at the last moment, Malone is there to receive the dump off, finishing with a powerfully uncontested two-handed slam. In the type of performance that would become routine over time, Malone contributed 20 points, 10 rebounds and three steals in Utah’s 99-85 playoff-opening win on April 23, 1987.
Happy Run It Back Week! See you at the pack drops.
