Michael Jordan's legendary "last shot" fell 18 years ago today, but that moniker was technically only accurate for a few years. His actual last shot, and final game, came five years later as a member of the Washington Wizards, in a decidedly less celebrated sneaker: the Air Jordan 18.
If you forgot about Michael Jordan’s late career stint with the Wizards, that’s O.K.. Other than the fact that it happened, it wasn’t particularly memorable. And if MJ–arguably the greatest of all time–had a forgettable last game, chances are you might not remember some of the other NBA greats’ final appearances either.
We’ve taken a look back at some of modern era's biggest stars' final appearances–whether they came following a Finals victory, at the end of a season-long farewell tour, or following an unceremonious and unplanned mid-season goodbye. Check out what each player wore, and how they played, during their swan songs.
Charles Barkley
Date: 04/19/00
Team: Houston Rockets
Opponent: Vancouver Grizzlies
Stats: 6:00 Minutes, 2 Points, 1 Assist, 1 Rebound
Shoe: Nike Air Valor Force
After rupturing his left quad earlier in the season, Barkley made it a point to return for the Rockets' final home game. After a signature rebound and putback, he immediately checked out and called it a career. "I couldn't get over the mental block of being carried off the court," said Barkley. "It was important psychologically to walk off the court on my own."
Patrick Ewing
Date: 04/30/02
Team: Orlando Magic
Opponent: Charlotte Hornets (Playoffs)
Stats: 19:00 Minutes, 11 Points, 1 Assist, 10 Rebounds
Shoe: Nike Air Max Elite Battlegrounds
The most common way for fans to convey the idea of being "washed" is to share an image of Ewing in a Magic jersey with his legs wrapped in ice. Still not as bad as Ewing in a Sonics jersey, though.
Michael Jordan
Date: 04/06/03
Team: Washington Wizards
Opponent: Philadelphia 76ers
Stats: 28:00 Minutes, 15 Points, 4 Assists, 4 Rebounds
Shoe: Air Jordan 18
Michael Jordan's actual last shot was a free throw in a 20-point blowout loss to the Philadelphia 76ers. If that's not depressing enough, he did it in the Air Jordan 18.
David Robinson
Date: 06/15/03
Team: San Antonio Spurs
Opponent: New Jersey Nets (Finals)
Stats: 31:00 Minutes, 13 Points, 1 Assist, 17 Rebounds
Shoe: Nike Air Max Chosen
In a scenario all athletes dream of, "The Admiral" finished his career as an NBA champion with a big double-double in Game 6.
Scottie Pippen
Date: 02/02/04
Team: Chicago Bulls
Opponent: Seattle SuperSonics
Stats: 8:00 Minutes, 2 Points, 3 Assists, 1 Rebound
Shoe: Nike Zoom Flight 2K3
Most people probably forget Pippen's brief return to Chicago at the end—and for good reason. It may have been good to see Pip don the Bulls colors again, but he had nothing left in the tank.
Karl Malone
Date: 06/13/04
Team: Los Angeles Lakers
Opponent: Detroit Pistons (Finals)
Stats: 21:00 Minutes, 2 Points, 2 Assists, 5 Rebounds
Shoe: Dada 4th Quarter PE
With the benefit of hindsight, Malone probably regrets throwing on the purple and gold for a shot at a ring. He probably still thinks these Dadas are pretty sweet, though.
Allen Iverson
Date: 02/20/10
Team: Philadelphia 76ers
Opponent: Chicago Bulls
Stats: 29:20 Minutes, 13 Points, 3 Assists, 1 Rebound
Shoe: Reebok Answer 13 PE
It was supposed to be the storybook ending, but like most things in Iverson's life, it didn't quite work out that way. Citing personal reasons, he cut his Philly return short and never competed in the NBA again.
Shaquille O'Neal
Date: 05/09/11
Team: Boston Celtics
Opponent: Miami Heat (Playoffs)
Stats: 3:31 Minutes, 0 Points, 0 Assists, 0 Rebounds
Shoe: Li-Ning Big Shamrock
Few things were sadder than watching this once-in-a-lifetime talent team hop toward the end of his career. He showed flashes of being able to contribute something to the Celtics, but a bum Achilles put the Big Fella down for good. At least we didn't have to see these Li-Ning boats on the court anymore.
Grant Hill
Date: 05/03/13
Team: Los Angeles Clippers
Opponent: Memphis Grizzlies (Playoffs)
Stats: 20:08 Minutes, 4 Points, 2 Assists, 4 Rebounds
Shoe: Nike Hyperdunk 2012 PE
With the way things panned out in Orlando, many assumed Hill's career would end about a decade earlier. But he found the fountain of youth in Phoenix and tacked on a few extra seasons that nobody saw coming before finally calling it quits in LA.
Jason Kidd
Date: 05/18/13
Team: New York Knicks
Opponent: Indiana Pacers (Playoffs)
Stats: 6:23 Minutes, 0 Points, 1 Assist, 0 Rebounds
Shoe: Nike Lunar Hypergamer Low
If there was any doubt that Kidd needed to hang them up, the ultimate stat sheet stuffer putting up these numbers erased it. Shortly after, he landed a head coaching job.
Tracy McGrady
Date: 06/11/13
Team: San Antonio Spurs
Opponent: Miami Heat (Finals)
Stats: 6:39 Minutes, 0 Points, 3 Assists, 2 Rebounds
Shoe: adidas D Rose 3.5
Tracy McGrady was 20 seconds from getting his first ring—then Ray Allen happened. A year later, the Spurs cruised to a championship without TMac. It just wasn't meant to be.
Steve Nash
Date: 04/08/14
Team: Los Angeles Lakers
Opponent: Houston Rockets
Stats: 13:10 Minutes, 3 Points, 5 Assists, 3 Rebounds
Shoe: Nike Kobe 8
After leaving Phoenix to join Kobe Bryant and Dwight Howard in Los Angeles, Nash's body completely broke down. Despite his best efforts to get back on the court, a bad back ultimately ushered in the end for the two-time MVP.
Ray Allen
Date: 06/15/14
Team: Miami Heat
Opponent: San Antonio Spurs (Finals)
Stats: 31:20 Minutes, 5 Points, 2 Assists, 5 Rebounds
Shoe: Air Jordan XX8 SE
Allen still hasn't officially announced his retirement, but reports say that he's turned down several offers to return for the past two seasons. Now 40, it's safe to assume that we've seen the last of the sharpshooter.
Kobe Bryant
Date: 04/13/16
Team: Los Angeles Lakers
Opponent: Utah Jazz
Stats: 42:09 Minutes, 60 Points, 4 Assists, 4 Rebounds
Shoe: Nike Kobe 11 FTB
After a season-long farewell tour, Bryant capped off his career with an unthinkable 60-point outing at Staples Center. He's the only player on the list who had a special pair of shoes made for his final game.