NBA at 75: 2000s saw MJ-LBJ shift, ‘Malice at the Palace’


              FILE - Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James stands on the court before an NBA basketball first round playoff game against the Portland Trail Blazers, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, Pool, File)
            
              FILE - Fans display signs welcoming Yao Ming the center from China for the Rockets during the game between the Rockets and the Boston Celtics in Boston, Feb. 24, 2003. (AP Photo/ Robert E. Klein, File)
            
              FILE - Yao Ming of the Houston Rockets signs autographs before a game against the Golden State Warriors, March 19, 2004, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Dino Vournas, File)
            
              FILE - Indiana Pacers' Ron Artest is restrained by Austin Croshere before being escorted off the court following their fight with the Detroit Pistons and fans on Nov. 19, 2004, in Auburn Hills, Mich. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson, File)
            
              FILE - Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) drives to the basket past Golden State Warriors center Andris Biedrins in the first half of a preseason NBA basketball game, Oct. 9, 2009, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Gus Ruelas, File)
            
              FILE - Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James looks at the scoreboard in the fourth quarter against the Washington Wizards during their first-round NBA playoff basketball game on Sunday, April 30, 2006, in Washington. The Wizards won 106-96. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)
            
              FIL E- Philadelphia 76ers' Allen Iverson drives as Milwaukee Bucks' Mo Williams defends during the second quarter Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2005, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash, File)
            
              FILE - Boston Celtics guard Nate Robinson, left, drives to the basket past Miami Heat forward LeBron James, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Boston, Oct. 26, 2010.(AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File)
            
              FILE - Dallas Mavericks team owner Mark Cuban celebrates on the court during a time out after the Mavericks took the lead in the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Sacramento Kings in Dallas, Saturday, March, 5, 2022. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez, File)
            
              Miami Heat's LeBron James throws powder into the air prior to the team's NBA preseason basketball game against the San Antonio Spurs in San Antonio on Oct. 9, 2010. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)
NBA at 75: 2000s saw MJ-LBJ shift, ‘Malice at the Palace’