Wilt Chamberlain, Charles Barkley, Rick Barry, Scottie Pippen, Michael Jordan and other NBA legends have delivered spectacular performances on Christmas that we will treasure forever.
From Bernard King’s record-setting scoring night in 1984 to Charles Barkley’s monster effort in 1993 there have been plenty of spectacular holiday performances for us to cherish and reminisce about.
With Christmas just a few hours away I wanted to deliver a tribute to several players that delivered the goods on this wonderful holiday by showcasing video, box scores, and articles for you to enjoy.
Did I ever mention that I love NBA history? If you’ve read any of my past columns you have no doubts about that!
I’m leaving out the performances of Jordan in 1992 and Wilkins in 1987 - they were included in my “Daily Flashback” from this afternoon.
CLICK HERE to view that column.
After reading about these seven extraordinary performances please scroll down to the end of this column as I’ve included all-time Christmas statistical leaders for you to view at your leisure.
I now present to you seven players who deserve your attention this holiday season for their past Christmas excellence:
(NOTE: Click on the bold text directing you to view video and boxscores for additional media)
Bernard King: 12/25/84 - King pours in 60 points to set Christmas record
View a clip of the 1984 Christmas game - CLICK HERE
Bernard King remains one of the most underrated players of the last thirty years. Before his career was cruelly cut short by injury King was the most devastating offensive force not named Michael Jordan and was on his way to a scoring title when he faced the Nets on December 25, 1984.
King scored sixty points against New Jersey at Madison Square Garden on a variety of moves that left defenders frustrated and helpless. The Knicks lost 120-114 despite his scoring onslaught and forty first-half points. His point total would remain the highest in MSG history until Kobe Bryant broke it with 61 of his own.
If not for King tearing the anterior cruciate ligament late in the 1984-85 season he might be in the Hall of Fame and appreciated more than he is.
Charles Barkley: 12/25/93 - Barkley shreds Rockets for 38 points and 18 boards
Watch Barkley battle Hakeem in the 94 All-Star game - CLICK HERE
View the boxscore - CLICK HERE
Charles Barkley and Hakeem Olajuwon were at their peaks during the 1993 season and both put on a show in the Suns 111-91 victory.
Barkley had the last word, of course, as he totalled 38 points on 15-27 shooting and added eighteen rebounds.
Sir Charles retired without a ring despite his legendary career exploits - he happened to run into some guy you might know of named Michael Jordan in 1993.
Don’t worry, Charles - Jordan prevented a lot of greats from earning a ring.
Wilt Chamberlain: 12/25/61 - Wilt sets Christmas rebounding record
Watch a clip of Wilt in the 1962 All-Star Game - CLICK HERE
Chamberlain set so many records during the 1961-62 season that I’m sure his Christmas Day barrage registered as typical during the course of his ridiculous year.
Wilt scored a then-Christmas record 59 points and pulled down a still-standing record 36 boards in the Warriors loss to the Knicks.
Of course, he shattered his personal best by scoring a ridiculous and unbreakable record of 100 points on March 2, 1962 on his way to averaging 50.4 points that season.
Rick Barry: 12/25/66 - Barry pours in fifty against Royals
Watch a highlight clip of Rick Barry - CLICK HERE
Rick Barry delivered a dynamite performance on Christmas that was just an appetizer - he was on his way to averaging an insane 35.6 points that year before bolting to the ABA the following season.
Barry was the first All-NBA player to leave for the ABA and his exit was extremely controversial.
He returned to the NBA in 1972 and led the Warriors to a title in 1975.
Tiny Archibald: 12/25/72 - Archibald sets assists-record against Bucks
Watch a highlight clip of Tiny Archibald - CLICK HERE
Before Allen Iverson graced us with his presence Tiny Archibald was regarded as the greatest “little man” to ever grace the hardwood and some still believe that hasn’t changed.
Nate Archibald was on his way to becoming the first and only player ever to lead the league in scoring (34.0) and assists (910) in the same season when he set an NBA Christmas record by dishing out 18 dimes against Milwaukee.
The Bucks, if you recall, were a dynamite outfit that included Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (Lew Alcindor back then) and Oscar Robertson.
Scottie Pippen: 12/25/94 - Pippen destroys Knicks in overtime thriller
Watch a clip of the 1994 Christmas game - CLICK HERE
With Jordan retired (he would come back later that year) Pippen had become an MVP candidate and had led the Bulls to 55 victories in 1993-94 only to lose to the Knicks in the playoffs.
Pippen returned the favor on Christmas in 1994 by posting 36 points, 16 rebounds, and five steals to defeat Ewing and the Knicks in overtime 107-104.
Of course, the Bulls were just 12-12 entering this game and desperately needed a spark to ignite future playoff runs.
That spark returned in the form of #45 on 3/19/95.
Bill Russell: 12/25/65 - Russell pulls down 34 boards in 113-94 win over Bullets
Watch a vintage highlight clip of Russell - CLICK HERE
Russell and the Celtics were on their way to winning an eighth consecutive title when Russell grabbed the second-most rebounds ever on Christmas.
Of course, Russell pulling down 34 rebounds wasn’t exactly big news - Russell snared 35 rebounds or more in a game a staggering 35 times in his legendary career and he remains second all-time in total career rebounds with 21,620.
Chamberlain may hold the Christmas rebounding record by a hair but at least Russell’s team won their game.
Also for your reference the all-time career points and PPG leaders on Christmas:
(NOTE: Most statistics retrieved from NBA.com)
| Rank | Player (Points) | Points | Player (PPG) | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oscar Robertson | 377 | Tracy McGrady | 43.3 |
| 2 | Kobe Bryant | 304 | Jerry West | 32.2 |
| 3 | Shaquille O’Neal | 270 | Wilt Chamberlain | 31.7 |
| 4 | Dolph Schayes | 239 | George Gervin | 31.5 |
| 5 | Walt Bellamy | 237 | Oscar Robertson | 31.4 |
All-time Christmas rebounding leaders:
| Rank | Player (Rebounds) | Rebounds | Player (RPG) | RPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bill Russell | 176 | Wilt Chamberlain | 25.3 |
| 2 | Wes Unseld | 163 | Bill Russell | 22.0 |
| 3 | Wilt Chamberlain | 152 | Maurice Stokes | 20.5 |
| 4 | Shaquille O’Neal | 154 | Jerry Lucas | 19.1 |
| 5 | Dolph Schayes | 144 | Wes Unseld | 18.1 |
All-time Christmas assists leaders:
| Rank | Player (Assists) | Assists | Player (APG) | APG |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oscar Robertson | 145 | Oscar Robertson | 12.1 |
| 2 | Guy Rodgers | 71 | Nate Archibald | 10.8 |
| 3 | Walt Frazier | 69 | Jason Kidd | 10.5 |
| 4 | Bob Cousy | 67 | Guy Rodgers | 10.1 |
| 5 | Dick McGuire | 65 | Jerry Fleishman | 10.0 |
Top individual performances on Christmas in NBA history:
| Category | Year | Player | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| POINTS | 1984 | Bernard King | 60 |
| 1961 | Wilt Chamberlain | 59 | |
| 1966 | Rick Barry | 50 | |
| 1963 | Jerry West | 47 | |
| 2002 | Tracy McGrady | 46 | |
| REBOUNDS | 1961 | Wilt Chamberlain | 36 |
| 1965 | Bill Russell | 34 | |
| 1959 | Wilt Chamberlain | 34 | |
| 1958 | Bill Russell | 33 | |
| 1964 | Bill Russell | 31 | |
| ASSISTS | 1972 | Nate Archibald | 18 |
| 1966 | Guy Rogers | 18 | |
| 1961 | Oscar Robertson | 17 | |
| 1975 | Nate Archibald | 16 | |
| 1965 | Oscar Robertson | 16 | |
| 1963 | Oscar Robertson | 16 | |
| 1960 | Oscar Robertson | 16 |
Have a great holiday everyone!