Tim Duncan takes center stage in my “Daily Flashback” for December 26, 2010 for his spectacular 53-point, eleven rebound performance on 12/26/01 in a losing cause against the Dallas Mavericks. Utah Jazz legend Karl Malone is featured as well for his 47-point performance against Portland on this day in 1995 and former journeyman guard Michael Adams makes the cut for his 44-point, ten assist outing on 12/26/90.
I also look back at David Robinson scoring the 15,000th point of his spectacular career on 12/26/97.
Welcome back to my daily column where I look back at the current day in NBA history and choose five games or incidents that occurred on that day and deliver video and boxscores for you to view at your leisure.
If you wish to view previous editions of my “Daily Flashback” please scroll down to the end of this column.
To view the box-score and video clip (if available) just click on the bold text directing you to that link.
Enjoy!
(NOTE: photos to the left of each headliner do not necessarily represent the specific game or incident mentioned)
On this date in NBA history…
December 26, 2001 - Duncan goes bananas on the Mavericks
View a Duncan highlight clip from the 1999 NBA Finals - CLICK HERE
View the boxscore - CLICK HERE
Duncan and the Spurs succumbed in overtime to the young and upcoming Mavs 126-123 in a classic battle between the decade-long rivals.
The loss was no fault of Duncan’s as he poured in a career-high 53 points on red-hot 19-28 shooting from the floor and a perfect 15-15 from the line. He went on to win the MVP Award in 01-02 and average a career-best 25.5 points per game.
The Mavs were led in scoring by Michael Finley (28), Steve Nash (27), and Dirk Nowitzki (26) while the Spurs’ next best scorer in the game was a declining David Robinson (13).
For those who doubt how peerless Tim Duncan was at his best please watch the above clip from the 1999 Finals and become a believer.
December 26, 1995 - Malone puts on a scoring clinic vs. Portland
View a clip of classic Stockton-to-Malone plays - CLICK HERE
View the boxscore - CLICK HERE
Malone was on his way to a ninth-consecutive season of more than 2,000 points scored when he dropped 47 against the Blazers on 21-31 shooting from the floor while adding eight boards, five assists, and three steals.
The Blazers were in a rebuilding phase at this point - they entered the game just 11-15 and relied heavily on forward Cliff Robinson and guard Rod Strickland.
Not exactly NBA Finals-material, I’m afraid.
December 26, 1990 - Michael Adams torches Kings for 44 points
View a highlight clip of Adams - CLICK HERE
View the boxscore - CLICK HERE
Michael Adams had one amazing season in his career and boy was it spectacular - 26.5 PPG for the run n’ gun Nuggets along with 10.5 APG and 2.2 steals.
Adams let the Kings know about his breakout campaign early with his 44 point, 10 assist, five steal outing on excellent 17-26 shooting.
He remains the only player since 1986 to post those numbers or higher on over .600 shooting in a single game.
December 26, 1997 - Robinson scores 15,000th point vs. Celtics
View a clip of Robinson highlights - CLICK HERE
**View the boxscore - CLICK HERE **
The Robinson-Duncan era was just getting underway when David unleashed a 34 point, 13 rebound, 3 steal, 3 block performance on 11-14 shooting on the Celtics, eclipsing the 15,000 point plateau in the process. Duncan added 23 points, fifteen boards, and a remarkable eight blocks as the towering duo dominated Boston in a 101-86 win.
The Celtics started Andrew DeClercq at center and Walter McCarty (yikes!) at power forward in this one so San Antonio’s domination looks even less surprising.
December 26, 2003 - Carmelo Anthony puts up a career-high 37
View an Anthony rookie highlight clip - CLICK HERE
View the boxscore - CLICK HERE
Carmelo scored a then-career-high 37 points on 13-22 shooting as the Nuggets defeated Yao Ming and the Rockets 95-94.
Anthony had posted just one other thirty-point game up to this point - he scored exactly thirty on November 7, 2003 in a loss to the Clippers.
His scoring barrage on 12/26/03 would represent his career-best until February 2, 2004 when he would pour in 39 vs. Portland.
PREVIOUS FLASHBACKS
DECEMBER 25, 2010: Kobe and Shaq wage war on Christmas in 2004 - CLICK HERE
DECEMBER 23, 2010: Kobe Bryant becomes youngest to 20,000 points - CLICK HERE
DECEMBER 22, 2010: Bill Russell makes NBA debut - CLICK HERE
DECEMBER 21, 2010: Jordan and Pippen torch the Hawks - CLICK HERE