Last Shot: What the Greatest NBA Players of the Modern Era Wore in Their Final Games

Lacing them up one last time.

Michael Jordan's Last Game
Image via NBAE
Michael Jordan's Last Game

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

Charles Barkley Wearing the Nike Air Valor Force

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."

Nike Air Valor Force

Patrick Ewing

Patrick Ewing Wearing the Nike Air Max Elite

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.

NIke Air Max Elite Battlegrounds

Michael Jordan

Michael Jordan Wearing the White/Royal Air Jordan 18

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.

Air Jordan 18 White/Royal

David Robinson

David Robinson Wearing the Nike Air Max Chosen

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.

Nike Air Max Chosen

Scottie Pippen

Scottie Pippen Wearing the Nike Zoom Flight 2K3

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

Karl Malone Wearing a Dada 4th Quarter PE

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.

Dada 4th Quarter Malone

Allen Iverson

Allen Iverson Wearing a Reebok Answer 13 PE

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

Shaquille O'Neal Wearing the Li Ning Big Shamrock

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.

Li-Ning Big Shamrock

Grant Hill

Grant Hill Wearing a Nike Hyperdunk 2012 PE

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.

Nike Hyperdunk 2012

Jason Kidd

Jason Kidd Wearing the Nike Lunar Hypergamer Low

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.

Nike Lunar Hypergamer Low

Tracy McGrady

Tracy McGrady Wearing the adidas D Rose 3.5

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.

adidas D Rose 3.5

Steve Nash

Steve Nash Wearing the Nike Kobe 8

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.

Nike Kobe 8 TB Purple

Ray Allen

Ray Allen Wearing an Air Jordan XX8 SE PE

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.

Ray Allen Air Jordan XX8 SE Finals PE

Kobe Bryant

Kobe Bryant Wearing the Nike Kobe 11 FTB

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.

Nike Kobe 11 FTB