SLAM Magazine, also known as the Bible of Basketball, has been putting out some of the best basketball content available since 1994. Some of the best and most eye-catching content can even be found right on the cover! Here is a look at some of the best and most iconic SLAM magazine covers of all time in no particular order.
Most Iconic SLAM Magazine Covers of All Time
Allen Iverson is Soul on Ice
SLAM Magazine released this iconic Allen Iverson cover in its March 1999 issue. The image shows Iverson rocking a throwback Sixers jersey in homage to the Julius Erving era. It is revered as one of the greatest NBA photos of all time. In the 1998-99 season, in which this cover photo was taken, AI was on his way to becoming of the league’s greats. In only his third year in the league, he was playing in 41.5 minutes per game, averaging 26.8 points, 4.9 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 2.3 steals. It would be the last season he would not be named an All-Star.
Showbiz and KG
With Kevin Garnett in his third season and Stephon Marbury in his second, SLAM featured the duo on its October 1997 issue after revamping the Timberwolves franchise. In the 1997-98 season, Garnett started all 82 games, averaging 18.5 points, 9.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.8 blocks, and 1.7 steals per game. Marbury, starting in 81 games, averaged 17.7 points, 8.6 assists, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game. Unfortunately, the duo would not last as Marbury demanded a trade due to wanting to be in a bigger market to get more endorsements.
Kobe Against the World
This list wouldn’t be complete without NBA legend Kobe Bryant. SLAM released this cover for their February 2008 issue. In the 2008 Olympics, Kobe Bryant led the United States National Team to win the Gold medal. Throughout the Olympics, Bryant averaged 15.0 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.1 steals per game.
Maya Moore: Recognize
It’s hard to get any more iconic than this. Maya Moore was selected as the cover for the July 2018 issue of SLAM. Moore was the first woman in 20 years to be selected as the cover athlete, last achieved by Chamique Holdsclaw in a 1998 issue. The former first overall pick in the 2011 WNBA Draft has won at nearly every level, so it was only fitting she received this honor.
Ready or Not Class of 1996
In a 1996 issue of SLAM, the magazine featured a front and back cover design. Featuring the top players of the 1996 NBA Draft, this has to be one of the greatest basketball pictures of all time. Kobe Bryant, Ray Allen, Marcus Camby, Antoine Walker, Steve Nash, and other NBA greats grace the cover photo. SLAM has recreated this photo with a few other future draft classes, with the most recent being 2014 – all laughable compared to this loaded draft class.
MJ: Best There Ever Was, Best There Ever Will Be
The April 1999 issue featured none other than the Greatest of All Time, Michael Jordan. After his second retirement from the NBA in January of 1999, SLAM Magazine decided to honor the GOAT in the best way possible – make an issue in honor of him. The subtle caption of “the best there ever was, the best there ever will be,” is an extremely powerful and iconic title to this issue.
No Bull. Derrick Rose Wants to be MVP.
The December 2010 issue of SLAM featured budding star, Derrick Rose. In the 2010-11 season, Rose averaged 25.0 points, 7.7 assists, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.0 steal per game. After stating he wanted to be the 2010-11 MVP, Rose accomplished his mission by becoming the NBA’s youngest ever MVP at the age of 22. His ACL injury the following season will always leave fans wondering what could have been.
Vince Carter Rookie of the Year
The August 1999 issue of slam featured rookie, Vince Carter, rocking the iconic ‘Dino’ Raptors jersey. With the Toronto Raptors having their inaugural season, Vince Carter had an explosive rookie season – the beginning of a legendary career. In his rookie season, Carter averaged 18.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.5 blocks, and 1.1 steals per game – enough to prove SLAM’s ROTY prediction true. The 1999 Rookie of the Year was most known for his show-stopping dunks.