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Basketball · Interesting Facts

Chapter 6: Quirky Trivia

10 parts · 10 tests · 100 facts · updated 24 October 2026 · markdown

The odd side of the game: last-second finishes, games in strange places, playing hurt and strange absences, rituals, the tallest and smallest, draft-day stories, fines and the dress code, the Harlem Globetrotters, famous fans and famous words.

6.61Last-Second Finishes

Fisher's 0.4, The Shot, McGrady's 35 seconds, Reggie Miller and Kawhi's bounces.

Test 1last-second finishesTake a test

  1. It won Game 5 of a play-off series for the Lakers.

    Source: NBA History and NBA.com game recaps (nba.com) · recall

  2. Jordan hung in the air and scored at the buzzer to win the series.

    Source: NBA History and NBA.com game recaps (nba.com) · recall

  3. He made four threes at the end, the last with 1.7 seconds left.

    Source: NBA History and NBA.com game recaps (nba.com) · recall

  4. His Pacers stole Game 1 at Madison Square Garden.

    Source: NBA History and NBA.com game recaps (nba.com) · recall

  5. Miami went on to win the title in Game 7.

    Source: NBA History and NBA.com game recaps (nba.com) · recall

  6. The shot was from about 11 m out.

    Source: NBA History and NBA.com game recaps (nba.com) · recall

  7. The NBA then set a minimum time needed to catch and shoot.

    Source: NBA History and NBA.com game recaps (nba.com) · recall

  8. 1989, 2004 and 2019.

    Source: NBA History and NBA.com game recaps (nba.com) · recall

  9. 0.1, 0.4 and 1.7 seconds.

    Source: NBA History and NBA.com game recaps (nba.com) · recall

  10. It beat the Philadelphia 76ers in 2019.

    Source: NBA History and NBA.com game recaps (nba.com) · recall

6.62Games in Unusual Places

An aircraft carrier, a tennis stadium, the 2020 bubble and the six-overtime game.

Test 1games played in strange placesTake a test

  1. He sat with sailors near the court.

    Source: NCAA (ncaa.com); US Navy, 'Carrier Classic aboard USS Carl Vinson' (navy.mil) · recall

  2. The game was on 11 November 2011.

    Source: NCAA (ncaa.com); US Navy, 'Carrier Classic aboard USS Carl Vinson' (navy.mil) · recall

  3. The sea air left the floor too wet to play on.

    Source: NCAA (ncaa.com); US Navy, 'Carrier Classic aboard USS Carl Vinson' (navy.mil) · recall

  4. They met Denver at Indian Wells in the California desert.

    Source: NBA History and NBA.com game recaps (nba.com) · recall

  5. Teams lived and played there with no fans for months.

    Source: NBA History and NBA.com game recaps (nba.com) · recall

  6. Some watched live from home on the big screens.

    Source: NBA History and NBA.com game recaps (nba.com) · recall

  7. Indianapolis won 75-73.

    Source: NBA History and NBA.com game recaps (nba.com) · recall

  8. 1951, 2011 and 2020.

    Source: NBA History and NBA.com game recaps (nba.com) · recall

  9. Six, three and none.

    Source: NBA History and NBA.com game recaps (nba.com) · recall

  10. The court was built on the flight deck of the USS Carl Vinson.

    Source: NCAA (ncaa.com); US Navy, 'Carrier Classic aboard USS Carl Vinson' (navy.mil) · recall

6.63Playing Hurt and Strange Absences

The Flu Game, Isiah's ankle, Kobe's Achilles, a Game Boy and a bat.

Test 1playing hurt and odd absencesTake a test

  1. He nearly collapsed into Scottie Pippen's arms at the end.

    Source: NBA History and NBA.com game recaps (nba.com) · recall

  2. It is still the Finals record for one quarter.

    Source: NBA History and NBA.com game recaps (nba.com) · recall

  3. He made his two free throws before walking off.

    Source: NBA History and NBA.com game recaps (nba.com) · recall

  4. The heat inside rose to about 32 degrees.

    Source: NBA History and NBA.com game recaps (nba.com) · recall

  5. He went on to be the Finals MVP.

    Source: NBA History and NBA.com game recaps (nba.com) · recall

  6. He was said to play his Game Boy for hours.

    Source: NBA History and NBA.com game recaps (nba.com) · recall

  7. He came back the next season and later became an All-Star again.

    Source: NBA History and NBA.com game recaps (nba.com) · recall

  8. 1970, 1988 and 2013.

    Source: NBA History and NBA.com game recaps (nba.com) · recall

  9. 1989, 1992, 1997 and 1998.

    Source: NBA History and NBA.com game recaps (nba.com) · recall

  10. He swatted it with his hand, then carried it off the court.

    Source: NBA History and NBA.com game recaps (nba.com) · recall

6.64Superstitions and Rituals

Jordan's shorts, Ray Allen's meal, Jason Terry, Karl Malone and LeBron's powder.

Test 1superstitions and ritualsTake a test

  1. He also wore longer shorts so they would fit over them.

    Source: NBA History and NBA.com game recaps (nba.com) · recall

  2. His whole game day ran to a fixed timetable.

    Source: NBA History and NBA.com game recaps (nba.com) · recall

  3. He got the shorts from friends on other teams.

    Source: NBA History and NBA.com game recaps (nba.com) · recall

  4. No one ever learned exactly what he said.

    Source: NBA History and NBA.com game recaps (nba.com) · recall

  5. He kept the habit for years.

    Source: NBA History and NBA.com game recaps (nba.com) · recall

  6. Then he would shout at the crowd.

    Source: NBA History and NBA.com game recaps (nba.com) · recall

  7. He chewed through dozens a game.

    Source: NBA History and NBA.com game recaps (nba.com) · recall

  8. 1984, 1985, 1994 and 2003.

    Source: NBA History and NBA.com game recaps (nba.com) · recall

  9. Many players keep each step the same every game.

    Source: NBA History and NBA.com game recaps (nba.com) · recall

  10. Fans in Cleveland copied it in the stands.

    Source: NBA History and NBA.com game recaps (nba.com) · recall

6.65Tall and Small

Muggsy Bogues, Gheorghe Mureșan, Yao Ming and the shortest MVP.

Test 1the tallest and smallest playersTake a test

  1. He played ten seasons in Charlotte.

    Source: NBA History and NBA.com game recaps (nba.com) · recall

  2. It was one of only 39 blocks in his whole career.

    Source: NBA History and NBA.com game recaps (nba.com) · recall

  3. The film was called My Giant.

    Source: NBA History and NBA.com game recaps (nba.com) · recall

  4. He stood 2.31 m tall.

    Source: NBA History and NBA.com game recaps (nba.com) · recall

  5. He was listed at 1.83 m.

    Source: NBA History and NBA.com game recaps (nba.com) · recall

  6. That is 7 ft 6 in.

    Source: NBA History and NBA.com game recaps (nba.com) · recall

  7. He played 13 seasons.

    Source: NBA History and NBA.com game recaps (nba.com) · recall

  8. 1.60, 1.65, 1.70 and 1.83 m.

    Source: NBA History and NBA.com game recaps (nba.com) · recall

  9. 1985, 1993 and 2002.

    Source: NBA History and NBA.com game recaps (nba.com) · recall

  10. They were Manute Bol and Muggsy Bogues.

    Source: NBA History and NBA.com game recaps (nba.com) · recall

6.66Draft Day Oddities

A coin toss, an Olympic sprinter, a four-league draftee and a taco advert.

Test 1strange draft-day storiesTake a test

  1. Chicago called heads and lost.

    Source: NBA History and NBA.com game recaps (nba.com) · recall

  2. He never played in the NBA.

    Source: NBA History and NBA.com game recaps (nba.com) · recall

  3. Baseball, American football and two basketball leagues; he chose baseball.

    Source: NBA History and NBA.com game recaps (nba.com) · recall

  4. He never played in the NBA.

    Source: NBA History and NBA.com game recaps (nba.com) · recall

  5. Houston took Hakeem Olajuwon first.

    Source: NBA History and NBA.com game recaps (nba.com) · recall

  6. The Lakers gave up Vlade Divac for him.

    Source: NBA History and NBA.com game recaps (nba.com) · recall

  7. Boston gave Ed Macauley and Cliff Hagan for him.

    Source: NBA History and NBA.com game recaps (nba.com) · recall

  8. 1956, 1984, 1996 and 2014.

    Source: NBA History and NBA.com game recaps (nba.com) · recall

  9. 2003, 2012 and 2023.

    Source: NBA History and NBA.com game recaps (nba.com) · recall

  10. Denver chose him in the second round.

    Source: NBA History and NBA.com game recaps (nba.com) · recall

6.67Fines, Bans and the Dress Code

The 2005 dress code, Cuban's Dairy Queen shift, Rasheed Wallace and Donald Sterling.

Test 1fines, bans and the dress codeTake a test

  1. Sunglasses indoors and headphones were also out.

    Source: NBA History and NBA.com game recaps (nba.com) · recall

  2. He had said he would not hire the man to manage one.

    Source: NBA History and NBA.com game recaps (nba.com) · recall

  3. No player has had more in a single season.

    Source: NBA History and NBA.com game recaps (nba.com) · recall

  4. He meant the ball itself had judged the call.

    Source: NBA History and NBA.com game recaps (nba.com) · recall

  5. He was forced to sell the Clippers.

    Source: NBA History and NBA.com game recaps (nba.com) · recall

  6. It was the rest of the season, play-offs included.

    Source: NBA History and NBA.com game recaps (nba.com) · recall

  7. He was suspended for eleven games.

    Source: NBA History and NBA.com game recaps (nba.com) · recall

  8. 1997, 2002, 2004 and 2005.

    Source: NBA History and NBA.com game recaps (nba.com) · recall

  9. 1977, 1997 and 2006, each followed by long suspensions.

    Source: NBA History and NBA.com game recaps (nba.com) · recall

  10. Players had to wear business casual clothes.

    Source: NBA History and NBA.com game recaps (nba.com) · recall

6.68The Harlem Globetrotters

The striped ball, Berlin 1951, the Washington Generals, Scooby-Doo and the Magic Circle.

Test 1the Harlem GlobetrottersTake a test

  1. The striped ball has become part of the team's look.

    Source: Harlem Globetrotters, official history (harlemglobetrotters.com); Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (hoophall.com) · recall

  2. It was one of the biggest crowds ever to watch a basketball game.

    Source: Harlem Globetrotters, official history (harlemglobetrotters.com); Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (hoophall.com) · recall

  3. They also had a cartoon series of their own.

    Source: Harlem Globetrotters, official history (harlemglobetrotters.com); Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (hoophall.com) · recall

  4. Their last win came in 1971.

    Source: Harlem Globetrotters, official history (harlemglobetrotters.com); Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (hoophall.com) · recall

  5. He played for them for more than 20 years.

    Source: Harlem Globetrotters, official history (harlemglobetrotters.com); Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (hoophall.com) · recall

  6. He dribbled the ball low and fast for minutes at a time.

    Source: Harlem Globetrotters, official history (harlemglobetrotters.com); Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (hoophall.com) · recall

  7. He played between college and the NBA.

    Source: Harlem Globetrotters, official history (harlemglobetrotters.com); Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (hoophall.com) · recall

  8. 1926-27, 1958 and 2002.

    Source: Harlem Globetrotters, official history (harlemglobetrotters.com); Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (hoophall.com) · recall

  9. 1976, 1996 and 2000.

    Source: Harlem Globetrotters, official history (harlemglobetrotters.com); Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (hoophall.com) · recall

  10. They spin, roll and bounce the ball to the music.

    Source: Harlem Globetrotters, official history (harlemglobetrotters.com); Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (hoophall.com) · recall

6.69Famous Fans Courtside

Drake, Woody Allen, Dyan Cannon, Ice Cube, Kevin Hart and a pair of sunglasses.

Test 1famous fansTake a test

  1. He cheered courtside through the 2019 title run.

    Source: NBA (nba.com); Toronto Raptors (nba.com/raptors); BIG3 (big3.com) · recall

  2. He has had seats since the 1970s.

    Source: NBA (nba.com); Toronto Raptors (nba.com/raptors); BIG3 (big3.com) · recall

  3. She is often seen jumping up after big plays.

    Source: NBA (nba.com); Toronto Raptors (nba.com/raptors); BIG3 (big3.com) · recall

  4. Its games are played in summer.

    Source: NBA (nba.com); Toronto Raptors (nba.com/raptors); BIG3 (big3.com) · recall

  5. He has attended thousands of games.

    Source: NBA (nba.com); Toronto Raptors (nba.com/raptors); BIG3 (big3.com) · recall

  6. He grew up partly in Hawaii but lived in Chicago.

    Source: NBA (nba.com); Toronto Raptors (nba.com/raptors); BIG3 (big3.com) · recall

  7. He grew up in Philadelphia.

    Source: NBA (nba.com); Toronto Raptors (nba.com/raptors); BIG3 (big3.com) · recall

  8. 1949, 1970 and 2019.

    Source: NBA (nba.com); Toronto Raptors (nba.com/raptors); BIG3 (big3.com) · recall

  9. Toronto, Chicago, New York and Los Angeles.

    Source: NBA (nba.com); Toronto Raptors (nba.com/raptors); BIG3 (big3.com) · recall

  10. The actor is famous for his dark glasses at games.

    Source: NBA (nba.com); Toronto Raptors (nba.com/raptors); BIG3 (big3.com) · recall

6.70Famous Words and Quotes

Practice, South Beach, the Process, Ubuntu, Mamba Mentality and The Shrug.

Test 1famous words and quotesTake a test

  1. He said the word again and again.

    Source: NBA History and NBA.com game recaps (nba.com) · recall

  2. He announced his move to Miami on live television.

    Source: NBA History and NBA.com game recaps (nba.com) · recall

  3. It came from the club's long rebuild of the 2010s.

    Source: NBA History and NBA.com game recaps (nba.com) · recall

  4. It is a southern African idea of shared humanity.

    Source: NBA History and NBA.com game recaps (nba.com) · recall

  5. He gave himself the nickname Black Mamba.

    Source: NBA History and NBA.com game recaps (nba.com) · recall

  6. He said parents should be the role models.

    Source: NBA History and NBA.com game recaps (nba.com) · recall

  7. A single word was often all reporters got.

    Source: NBA History and NBA.com game recaps (nba.com) · recall

  8. 1986, 2000 and 2008.

    Source: NBA History and NBA.com game recaps (nba.com) · recall

  9. Memphis about 2011, Toronto 2014 and Golden State 2015.

    Source: NBA History and NBA.com game recaps (nba.com) · recall

  10. He had never been known as a great three-point shooter.

    Source: NBA History and NBA.com game recaps (nba.com) · recall

Sources

Primary/official sources only, no Wikipedia citations: the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, the NBA, FIBA, the EuroLeague, the NCAA, the WNBA, clubs' and universities' own histories, auction houses' published results and named reputable media.

  • NBA History and NBA.com game recaps (nba.com)76
  • Harlem Globetrotters, official history (harlemglobetrotters.com); Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (hoophall.com)10
  • NBA (nba.com); Toronto Raptors (nba.com/raptors); BIG3 (big3.com)10
  • NCAA (ncaa.com); US Navy, 'Carrier Classic aboard USS Carl Vinson' (navy.mil)4