The NBA is known for its legendary players, iconic moments, and timeless logos. But for some fans, the memories of these moments don’t align with reality. Here are 12 NBA-related Mandela Effects that may leave you questioning your recollections:
1. Michael Jordan’s Jumpman Logo
- The Memory: Michael Jordan was wearing shorts, specifically a Chicago Bulls uniform, and the logo was from an actual NBA court photo.
- The Reality: Jordan is wearing full-length athletic warm-up pants (part of a tracksuit), and the photo was taken outside on an open, grassy knoll with a basketball hoop.
Have a closer look at the Jumpman logo for yourself. Does it look different to you? Does it feel right, or do you distinctly remember shorts instead of the tracksuit pants?
2. Dwyane Wade’s Name
- The Memory: Dwyane Wade’s first name was spelled “Dwayne.”
- The Reality: His first name has always been spelled “Dwyane.”
3. Dwyane Wade’s No-Look Pass
- The Memory: Wade threw a no-look alley-oop lob pass behind his head to LeBron James, who dunked it thunderously, during the iconic Miami Heat vs. Milwaukee Bucks game on December 6, 2010.
- The Reality: Wade performed a no-look bounce pass, not an alley-oop.
4. The NBA Logo
- The Memory: The silhouette featured a bald-headed player wearing modern, baggy shorts, with a noticeable gap between the legs.
- The Reality: The logo shows a player with hair, vintage shorter shorts, and legs that appear attached, standing on one foot.
If you take a closer look at the head of the silhouette in the NBA logo, you can clearly see a hair split, which is often overlooked. The player behind this silhouette is none other than Jerry West, a Hall of Famer and one of the greatest players in NBA history. However, many recall the silhouette being bald-headed, adding to the intrigue and fueling discussions about this Mandela Effect.
5. The Chicago Bulls Logo
- The Memory: The bull had a gold nose ring hanging from its nostrils.
- The Reality: The Chicago Bulls logo has never included a gold nose ring.
6. When Shaq Joined the Lakers
- The Memory: Shaquille O’Neal joined the Lakers in 1999, setting the stage for their 2000 championship win. Many fans believe his arrival that year was the key reason they were able to secure the championship.
- The Reality: Shaq joined the Lakers in 1996, and their championship dynasty began after years of building chemistry with Kobe Bryant and the team.
7. The 1996 NBA Draft Class Photo
- The Memory: Allen Iverson, the first overall pick that year, was part of the iconic 1996 NBA draft photo for SLAM magazine.
- The Reality: Allen Iverson was never in the photo, even though many people distinctly remember seeing him in it. It raises the question: why would the first overall pick not be included?
This photo is considered iconic because it showcased one of the most talented draft classes in NBA history. The 1996 draft produced stars like Kobe Bryant, Ray Allen, Steve Nash, and others who went on to become Hall of Famers or NBA legends. Its significance lies in how prophetic the image turned out to be, capturing the beginning of an era that would shape the league for years to come—just without Allen Iverson in sight.
In 2021, via NBA TV, Allen Iverson tried to clear up his absence from the photo, saying:
“I don’t know. I don’t know where I was. I don’t know how I missed it. I don’t remember. Being that young, and, um, not as mature as I, you know, am now, or should’ve been, I might’ve blew it off. I don’t know.” Watch it below.
8. Baron Davis’ Shooting Hand
- The Memory: Baron Davis was a left-handed shooter.
- The Reality: Davis has always been a right-handed shooter.
9. Fred VanVleet’s Last Name
- The Memory: His last name was spelled “VanFleet.”
- The Reality: It has always been spelled “VanVleet.”
10. JJ Redick’s Last Name
- The Memory: His last name was spelled “Reddick.”
- The Reality: It has always been spelled “Redick.”
11. Spalding’s Spelling
- The Memory: The basketball brand Spalding was spelled “Spaulding.”
- The Reality: It has always been spelled “Spalding,” without the “u.”
Spalding is one of the most iconic brands in basketball, known for manufacturing official NBA game balls for decades. Many people vividly recall seeing the name with a “u,” especially given its long-standing association with the NBA and basketball culture. The spelling discrepancy continues to perplex fans, as it feels deeply ingrained in their memories. Do you remember it as “Spaulding” too?
12. The Banana Boat Crew
- The Memory: The iconic photo featured four NBA stars—LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Paul, and Carmelo Anthony—on a banana boat.
- The Reality: Carmelo Anthony wasn’t in the photo. Instead, a random woman sat with LeBron, Wade, and Paul.
What’s strange is if you go to Google and search “NBA banana boat” and click on images, you will see Carmelo Anthony being depicted as part of this iconic moment, despite the reality being that he was never in the photo. This discrepancy continues to puzzle fans and adds to the mystery of this Mandela Effect.
Take, for example, this 2017 ESPN article: ‘How likely is a Banana Boat reunion in 2018? We take you step by step through the ways LeBron, Melo, CP3, and D-Wade could all come together. But fans shouldn’t count their bananas before they’re bunched.’
What Do You Remember?
These Mandela Effects spark lively debates among NBA fans, blurring the lines between collective memory and reality. Did any of these surprise you? Let us know in the comments below!
