Michael Jordan, Oscar Robertson among gathering of NBA 75th Anniversary Team in Cleveland

CLEVELAND — The NBA celebrated its diamond anniversary with a sparkling tribute to honor 75 years on the hardwood floor.

During halftime of Sunday's All-Star Game, 45 members of the 75th Anniversary Team — including Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar — stood side by side on a circular stage in the middle of Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.

It was a chance to take a bow for the game's biggest names, players who cut a path down the lane for today's players.

Among the notable names not in attendance: Bill Russell, Larry Bird, Karl Malone, Tim Duncan, Russell Westbrook, Steve Nash.

The players were announced by position: forwards, centers and then guards.

Each of them wearing blue blazers with a 75th logo on their chests, the best of the NBA's best were introduced to huge ovations, with the loudest cheers going to Jordan — the last player to walk onto the raised podium at center court — LeBron James and Kobe Bryant in memoriam received the loudest cheers from fans.

The forwards were brought out first with Charles Barkley leading the way. Giannis Antetokounmpo, one of six current All-Stars on the 75th team, changed out of his Team LeBron uniform for the on-court tribute.

Julius “Dr. J” Erving bowed to the crowd, and the always entertaining Dennis Rodman strutted down the wine-colored carpet wearing a basketball cap and hooded sweatshirt under his jacket.

James was the last of the forward group to be welcomed, and the former Cleveland star spun in circle to return the love coming from every corner of the arena.

When it was the centers' turn to be welcomed, Shaquille O'Neal stuck out his tongue toward the camera and posed while Abdul-Jabbar, the league's career scoring leader, mimicked his signature “sky hook.”

Allen Iverson, who once scored 54 points in the building, led the guards out and was followed soon after by George “Iceman” Gervin, who made sure the crowd remembered his famed finger roll.

Before Jordan's entrance, Bryant's photo on the giant scoreboard touched off an emotional response and chants of “Ko-be, Ko-be” for the late Los Angeles Lakers superstar who died tragically in a 2020 helicopter crash with his young daughter, Gianna.

Even Steph Curry, who got booed during the first half of the All-Star Game, got a nice hand.

Jordan's appearance was something of a surprise as the league kept a tight lid on any details of the celebration.

The 89-year-old Bob Pettit, the NBA’s first MVP, looked forward to the festivities, which included a chance to catch up with some players he played against.

"It's a great honor. I'm very appreciative of the fact that I am included," Petit said. "Anybody who says it isn’t nice to be included is lying. It means a lot to me, and it means a lot to my family. It reminds me that I was pretty good after all."

Elvin Hayes, one of the game’s great scorers and rebounders, is among the most underappreciated of the 76 greatest players. He appreciates the recognition.

"To be a part of the 50, you’re thinking, 'Wow, that’s really a special situation,' " Hayes said. "But 75 comes along and you have all the great players you played against and you didn’t play against. 'Hey, you really have arrived.' "

The still living members of the 75th team who didn't attend were shown on video, with each saluting the fans with a wave.

This is the second time the league has honored its greats in Cleveland, after the 50th Anniversary Team was honored in 1997. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver understood the symmetry.

"I can remember being here in Cleveland in 1997," he said. "I was then part of NBA Entertainment. I remember being out on the court and watching, along with many of you in this room, those great legends lined up and with the special feeling in the air of just that collection of the greatest players, and I anticipate it will feel the same way [Sunday.]"

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: NBA honors 75 greatest players at halftime of 2022 All-Star Game