By Mr. Justin H. Tucker
Basketball is a game of eras, but every once in a while… the timeline folds in on itself. The NBA has given us moments that feel like scenes from a multiverse—where generations overlap and legends brush shoulders with rising stars.
Here are 6 mind-blowing facts that connect NBA past and present in ways that will make you rethink basketball time entirely:
📍1. LeBron James Started High School in 1999 — The Year Luka Doncic Was Born
LeBron James was already hooping at St. Vincent–St. Mary High School when baby Luka was born in Slovenia.
LeBron’s high school mixtapes were circling before Luka could crawl… and now they’ve shared the NBA court.
Talk about generational greatness.
đź“Ť2. Kobe and Magic Johnson Played for the Lakers in the Same Calendar Year
Yes, you read that right. In 1996, Magic briefly came out of retirement… and months later, Kobe Bryant was drafted by the Lakers.
Not the same season, but the same calendar year. That’s legacy overlap you can’t make up.
đź“Ť3. Pat Riley Played with Wilt Chamberlain
Before he was the godfather of slicked-back coaching, Pat Riley was a player.
And yes, he shared the court with Wilt the Stilt on the 1971–72 Lakers.
Imagine that locker room: two future Hall of Famers, two very different hairlines.
đź“Ť4. Chris Paul Won ACC Rookie of the Year the Same Year Wemby Was Born
In 2004, Chris Paul was shaking defenders and dropping dimes at Wake Forest.
That same year, Victor Wembanyama was born in France.
Now they’re battling for real estate in the paint—just two decades apart.
đź“Ť5. The 2015 Mavericks Backcourt Shared the Exact Same Birthday
This one is too weird not to be true:
In 2015, the Mavericks backcourt trio — J.J. Barea, Deron Williams, and Raymond Felton — were all born on June 26, 1984.
What are the odds? That locker room birthday party must’ve been lit.
đź“Ť6. A.C. Green Played with Both the Showtime Lakers and Shaq-Kobe Lakers
Talk about iron man durability.
A.C. Green’s career spanned decades, earning him time with Magic & Kareem, and later with Shaq & Kobe in the early 2000s.
This man literally played across two dynasties and never missed a beat (or a game).
Final Thoughts:
Basketball isn’t just about the now—it’s a living timeline full of legendary overlaps.
From Wilt and Riley to Luka and LeBron, every stat has a story, and every generation leaves a mark.
If you enjoyed this timeline trip, share it with your hoop-loving friends and drop your favorite multiverse moment in the comments.
Be Wise. Be True. JustINSPIRE.
