The 25 Best Top Shot Debut Moments
Hamburgers are delicious. They’re affordable, practical, and come in all different shapes and sizes. They’re fuel and comfort. They’re common base set pack drops. But sometimes you just want a fatty, bone-in, dry-aged 40 ounce porterhouse, cooked medium rare and swimming in butter. Today’s blog post is about the Top Shot Moment equivalent of that steak.
I’m not talking about your supermarket ribeye. These are “we’re on our honeymoon in Japan and ordering the finest cuts of Kobe beef no matter the price” Moments. You might not eat them often, or ever, but you know quality when you see it, and can still want it even if it’s totally unattainable. Shit, maybe you’re a vegetarian. I don’t know. I like a long-winded analogy.
As you might imagine, some of these Moments can be expensive. Coveted. The cream of the crop. Creamed corn? Are we still at the steakhouse? Are you as hungry as I am right now?
Today we’re talking about the 25 best NBA Top Shot debut Moments.
As always, none of this is financial advice. If you have enough money to buy any of these, you probably aren’t making investment decisions based off of blog posts written by strangers.
Now, many people believe that Top Shot debut Moments, especially from S1, are the best possible thing to invest in, long term. Whether it be Common, Rare, or Legendary, owning a player’s first Moment is something to aspire towards as a collector. If you’re unfamiliar with the significance of the first Moment badge and “Top Shot debut,” I recommend reading the official explanation on the Top Shot blog.
Before you scroll down to the bottom of the list to see what I picked #1 overall, I strongly encourage you to read this next section. Enjoy!
Rules, Snubs, and Honorable Mentions
It would be easy to just pick the 25 most expensive Moments, as if price is always directly correlated to quality. That’s not how this is going to go. The factors that determine this list are a fuzzy blend of Moment quality, scarcity, context, significance, player, personal preference, and 11 secret herbs and spices.
In many instances, the Moments mentioned below are available in Common, Rare, and Legendary sets; I’m not calling out one over the other, it’s just about the play — they’re all great. Buy what you can afford.
What has also been taken into account is whether or not their first Moment is also their “best Moment,” which is going to shake things up, and maybe cause a little controversy.
Because for certain players, like Luka Doncic, his debut is so clearly not his best Moment. Watch these two plays and see for yourself; we’re looking at a plain old dunk in the regular season versus a game winning three pointer in the NBA Bubble. I acknowledge, of course, that the badge assigned to a player’s first Moment carries extreme significance and weight, and value, which is why we’re engaging in this whole exercise, but I refuse to let the investment perspective of this totally overpower the actual basketball when there is so clearly a better basketball Moment that just so happened to not come first.
So, for those reasons, I regret to inform you that Lebron James will not be on this list.
LeBron’s best Moment is obviously and undeniably his Kobe Bryant tribute dunk. After that, you can easily make the case for his dunk in the Bubble in the NBA Finals.
Luka and Lebron do not make my top 25 list because their first Moments are not their best Moments, and for those same reasons, Giannis and Steph Curry will not be on the list either. I mean how do you make Steph’s first Moment an assist!? Giannis has so many options to consider it’s hard to even choose, but between his RIB layup, perfect All Star Game performance, or collection of MVP Moves, there’s no way to celebrate his debut Moment.
Paul George? Nope. His Run It Back Dunk is an absurd mid-game 360 windmill from his days as a Pacer.
Devin Booker’s block isn’t going to make the list when his game winning fadeaway during the Suns undefeated run in the Bubble also exists.
Carmelo Anthony in a Portland Trailblazer’s jersey over a night he sets the Knicks single game scoring record? You already know which one I choose.
Kyle Lowry’s debut is an absurd circus shot three, but it’s totally overshadowed by his equally absurd Run It Back buzzer-beating three in the playoffs!
An ordinary James Harden layup does not belong on this list over his game-winning Bubble block in the playoffs, or his gorgeous Legendary assist and three pointer.
Russell Westbrook’s debut is a layup in a loss? I mean, it’s just not good enough, folks.
For these same reasons, you will not see the “Triple Badge” debut Moments of Lamelo Ball (it’s not even an assist, guys, let’s be real), Anthony Edwards (a layup!?), Cole Anthony (game winner far better) or Obi Toppin (his MGLE alley-oop).
It’s as simple as that. We have to have rules with something this serious, and we have to follow them.
Here are 28 honorable mentions across a few different tiers of debut. Then, it’s time for the real deal, starting with 25, working our way to #1; the best Top Shot Debut Moment.
The list starts after the randomized gallery of player images below. The images do not reflect the order. I repeat, the images do not reflect the order.
My 10 favorite debuts from S1 that didn’t make the list: Julius Randle, Duncan Robinson, Pascal Siakam, John Collins, De’Aaron Fox, Bogdan Bogdonovich, Nmenja Bjelica, Bradley Beal, Boban Marjonovich, Markieff Morris
My 7 favorite rookie debut Moments (excluding ones that made the list): Immanuel Quickley, Darius Garland, Kevin Porter Jr., Matisse Thybulle, Tyler Herro, Bol Bol, Tyrese Haliburton
My 11 favorite S2 debuts from non-rookies: John Wall, Talen Horton-Tucker, Keldon Johnson, Jaxson Hayes, Isaiah Roby, Robert Williams III, Robin Lopez, Chris Chiozza, Nicolas Claxton, JJ Reddick, Hamidou Diallo
25. Andrew Bogut
If you read my article on “Fauxments,” you know I love this play and Moment, for good reason. It’s a slick behind the back pass from half court to a streaking Steph Curry who makes a modern basketball decision and decides to shoot the wide open three instead of taking the layup. He makes it, because of course does. It’s technically Steph’s first play on the platform from an age perspective. Bonus points to Draymond staring in disbelief from back court. He’s not hustling for the rebound because he already knows that if Steph is shooting it, it’s going in.
24. Anthony Davis
You know how sometimes when the TV is on mute you can still feel the sound? That’s how I feel every time I watch this Moment. AD’s rage and power just pulses through the screen — it’s like we’re in outer space. We can’t hear him scream, but we sure as hell can feel it.
23. Shai Gilgeous Alexander
SGA reminds me of Nightcrawler from X-Men. You watch him play basketball and, it’s just like, bro, how did you get from here to there? His movement defies logic.
It defies science and nature and gravity and physics and everything that makes sense. It’s just magical, and this play captures the essense of his absurdity.
22. Trae Young
It’s completely possible that this Moment is the reason people don’t think Lamarcus Aldrige could play defense. I’ve never seen a grown man get undressed in such an embarrasing, public fashion. Trae Young is going to be a problem for a lot of teams for a long, long time; hopefully not against the Knicks in the 2021 Playoffs, but every other game in his career — yea, this ratty looking punk is the real deal.
21. Michael Porter Jr.
Watch this play and convince me it wasn’t a glitch in the Matrix. Is he floating? Are his feet on the ground when he dunks it in? It just melts my brain watching it over and over again. I have to imagine after this play, MPJ just sent a memo to the rest of the league saying “Hello, my name is Michael Porter Junior, you passed on me in the NBA draft because you thought I had a bad back, prepare to regret it for the next decade.”
20. Ben Simmons
In 1/10th of a second, Ben Simmons scored two points. Fastest bucket of all time? It’s possible. So clutch, so sneaky, so many bonus points for the bench celebration and Joel’s euphoric arm raise. The entire Heat team is just like “whose man was that!?” The play sent the game to OT. Pretty strong debut Moment.
19. Joel Embiid
Back to back debut plays from the 76ers dynamic duo. This might be the only time in NBA history this pass has been made, right? You can tell even Ben Simmons is thinking “how did the ball get in my hands just now?” This is just cute and clever and sneaky and the perfect encapsulation of Joel Embiid’s entire personality and vibe.
18. Kyrie Irving
This is the “up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, B, A” of Top Shot Moments. It’s a cheat code. It’s a mind-numbing combination that you have to practice so many times to get perfect, and when you do, it’s just a thing of beauty. The fact that this happens in a real-life NBA game and not on the set of an Uncle Drew commercial is just a comical encapsulation of how good Kyrie is. Best handles of all time.
17. Nikola Jokic
They call him the Joker for a reason. Not only do I love this play from Jokic, because when is the last time you saw someone that big and slow go behind the back twice, but I also love it as a point of contrast next to Kyrie in this list. It’s like one is stuck on fast-forward and one is in slow-motion.
16. Kawhi Leonard
Kawhi “So Serious” Leonard is an assassin on the court. He wins championships wherever he goes and shows little no emotion as he does it. Which is why you just have to respect the disrespect on this dunk. The extra second or two that he just hangs on the rim. You can feel how disgusted he is with Theis’ defense, as if he doesn’t even belong on the same court as Kawhi. Bonus points for the bench showing more emotion in two seconds than Kawhi has in two years.
15. Donovan Mitchell
I know y’all have been waiting for this one. The unofficial “Copacabana” Moment of NBA Top Shot, it’s the longest uninterrupted camera shot on the platform and just an absurd series of events. Mitchell blocks LeBron, which sparks a Conley fast break, which eventually leads to a failed alley-oop to Mitchell, which leads to a Rudy Gobert assist to a Mitchell dunk. It’s art. Appreciate it. Enjoy it. Buy it if you can afford it or admire it from a safe distance. All of that being said, there are 14 better debut Moments.
14. Damian Lillard
In a world of deep, clutch threes, there is only one Dame Dolla Dunk on Top Shot, and it’s his debut Moment. What really seals the deal for me is the final frame, where he is airborn in slow motion, perfectly framed by the camera, glistening in sweat under the lights, erupting towards the rim for an absolutely destructive finish.
13. Chris Bosh
It’s a no-look pass from D. Wade to Chris Bosh for a game winning deeeeeep three pointer, so do I really need to say anything else?
12. Paul Pierce
It’s a game-winning, playoff series-clinching, Game 7 block on the road. This Moment walked so James Harden’s Bubble block on Lu Dort could run. Just an epic, clutch defensive play from Paul Pierce. The look on Kyle Lowry’s face when he drives into the lane and realizes how helpless he is makes me laugh.
11. Ray Allen
When you are one of the best shooters of all time and your debut Moment comes in the form of an NBA Finals dunk, you make the list. It’s that simple. Jesus Shuttlesworth goes the length of the court in Game 1 of Heat’s rematch with the Spurs and hammers it home with authority.
10. RJ Barrett
My sweet, beautiful boy. As a Knicks fan, I cannot wait to root for RJ Barrett for the next decade. He can’t even legally buy a drink yet, but this Canadian import’s moves on the court can feel illegal too. This silky smooth eurostep layup comes in his first game in the NBA. But what truly makes it special is the fact that it is the ONLY S1 “Triple Badge” Moment, qualifying as a Rookie Season, Rookie Mint, and Rookie Debut. While Zion and Ja, who you’ll see soon, have Moments from their rookie season, none are from their first game as a pro, making this one of the most unique and coveted Moments for collectors on Top Shot. I might be biased, but I also think RJ will be the best of the three. All of that being said, it is just a layup…
9. Ja Morant
You know the dunk. It’s one of the filthiest in-game dunks in recent memory, and quite the statement by the agile, air-born rookie. Ja plays with no regard for his own safety, and is fearless, ambitious, and potentially insane. Someone put pads and a helmet on him so he stays healthy, please. We need this kid to stay on the court for as long as possible.
8. Chris Paul
The Point God Nutmeg. He’s one of the best to ever do it, and this play perfectly captures how smart and quick on his feet, literally and figuratively, CP3 can be.
Fun fact: nobody has seen Isaiah Hartenstein since this play. He vanished into the woods, built a log cabin, and spends his free time reading romance novels and hunting pheasant.
7. Jayson Tatum
Your favorite basketball player’s favorite basketball player, this crossover puts Paul George flat on his ass. The same Paul George that is supposed to be really good at defense. Tatum then proceeds to hit the game-tying three as PG3 helplessly looks on as he gets up from the floor. Truly embarrassing and cold-blooded. A sign of things to come for one of the best young stars in the NBA.
6. Tim Duncan
Have you ever seen a play more perfectly encapsulate a player? Calm, cool, collected, and five steps ahead of everyone else on the court. The newly inducted member of the NBA Hall of Fame is also arguably the best big man in the history of the game. A pivot here, a fake there, a kiss of the glass for two points; just beautiful, simple, way way harder than it looks basketball. Legendary Moment for an icon.
5. Zion Williamson
HONEY, I’M HOME. After all the hype, and fanfare, and noise around Zion, this is him telling the league — yea, I’m real, and I’m spectacular. This is the best block to exist on Top Shot, it’s Zion’s best Moment on Top Shot, and it’s just one of the most ridiculously athletic plays you’ll ever see. The ball never even landed — it went through the arena’s walls and hovered into orbit. It’s circling the planet as we speak.
4. Kevin Durant
You were expecting this to be number one, weren’t you? The game winning double overtime three, giving him 51 on the night, is iconic and deserving of all the respect and praise it gets. It’s a thing of beauty. I love KD. I love this Moment. But there are three better. Don’t come after me, Slim Reaper. You never should’ve left OKC.
3. Vince Carter
Now you were expecting this to be number one, weren’t you? This is my favorite Moment that I own and arguably the greatest Moment on Top Shot. It’s iconic for a few reasons.
It’s Vince Carter’s first Moment and only Moment.
It’s the last shot of his career.
If you ask Roham what his favorite play is, he’ll tell you it is this. It happened on the night that the NBA shut down, the official night the pandemic started, when Rudy Gobert touched too many microphones in a press conference, mocking COVID, and Tom Hanks got COVID too. This was the last play to happen on that night.
The Knicks had so much respect for VC they didn’t even attempt a shot with 12 seconds left on the court. They didn’t need to, because they won, but you get the point. This shot is a celebration of an incredible career. It’s history. Long term, it might be the single most culturally significant Moment to ever exist on Top Shot. It’s the best. But, actually, there are two better. Love you, Vince. Thanks for the memories.
2. Dirk Nowitzki
Have you ever seen something as perfect as this game winning shot in Madison Square Garden? Dirk is my favorite player of all time, and one of the best ever. He’s a first ballet Hall of Famer in 2023, a 14-time All-Star, 12 time All-NBA player, NBA Finals MVP, and NBA Champion. This is the only Moment he’ll ever have on Top Shot and comes from the beautiful Series 1 Run It Back set. Only 275 exist. The way the ball dances around the rim before falling in. The camera work on the shot, with the clock ticking down, Melo playing defense, and the backboard lighting up red. The smile on Dirk’s face.
This is my holy grail Moment. I witnessed this live at MSG. I hope to have it in my collection one day.
1. Manu Ginobli
Yes, I’m completely serious, and before you rush to judgement, keep reading.
After two Dwyane Wade free throws put the Heat up 34–28 in the second quarter of Game 5 of the NBA Finals, the Spurs go on a 19–5 run to close out the half, catalyzed by 8 consecutive points by Manu Ginobli, including this ferocious dunk in traffic. He takes a pass from Tim Duncan the length of the court, splits the defense of LeBron James, Udonis Haslem, and Ray Allen, and dunks over Chris Bosh. The Spurs never trailed again, running away with the game in the second half, closing out the series 4–1 and winning the NBA Championship.
This dunk is a year of anticipation and revenge.
Nothing is more representative of Top Shot’s slogan: “Witness History. Own the Moments.”
This Moment represents the culmination of a season long pursuit of redemption over the Miami Heat after losing to them in the NBA Finals the previous year, when Ray Allen hit a miracle three in Game Six to deprive the Spurs of their title.
This Moment delivers the Spurs their fifth ring in franchise history, and the fourth and final Larry O’Brien Trophy of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobli’s “Big Three” era. It was the coming out party for Kawhi Leonard, who won Finals MVP.
Manu is a 100% lock for the NBA Hall of Fame, a pioneer of the “Eurostep,” and the Spurs all-time leader in three-pointers and steals. He is one of only two players in history to win a EuroLeague title, NBA Championship, and Olympic gold medal (per News4SanAntonio).
After losing this series, LeBron James opts out of his contract extension with the Heat, dismantling the Big 3 and returning to the Cleveland Cavaliers. This game is a historic moment in the NBA and a turning point for two storied franchises.
This dunk captures it all.
From a Top Shot perspective, it was a challenge reward in the Run It Back set, so only /192 of this Manu Moment exist. Unlike many of the S1 Top Shot Debuts mentioned above that are minted in Common, Rare, and Legendary flavors, it only exists in this one form. There are only 192 of them.
It is literally the rarest and lowest circulation Moment of any singular Top Shot debut on the platform. And it’s awesome.
So, there you have it. The 25 Best Top Shot Debut Moments. I can’t imagine you agree with all of my choices, but it’s my list! I embrace debate on Twitter, so feel free to share you feedback. Before you do, read all of the other stuff I’ve written this month. See you at the next pack drop.
