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Back in 2026 the SLAM ICONS project launched as a run of digital covers honoring storied players, teams and moments across basketball history.
Knicks fans recognize this celly right away. A celly before cellies ran rampant — a true pre-celly celly. Its origin, though, is the part most people miss.
The gesture wasn't Larry Johnson's idea. Lamont Coleman created it — Big L, Harlem's Finest. Big L passed in February of '99, and his on-stage performances still left a lasting impact on the city. Rick Brunson, a former Knick and the father of the franchise's best active player, saw Big L perform and noticed him throwing up the "L" sign. Planned or accidental? Like most great stories, there's room for some mystery.
June 5, 1999. Eastern Conference Finals, Game 3, 11.9 seconds left, and the Knicks are down three to the mighty Indiana Pacers. Those Pacers kept showing up at the Garden through the '90s. The rivalry was real.
Left sideline inbound, right next to halfcourt. Indiana denies Allan Houston — option one gone. Latrell Sprewell can't get open — option two gone. Charlie Ward's last-second pass to Johnson gets tipped, and the ball bounces to LJ above the three-point stripe with the play broken by Indiana's defense. Time to make something happen, Big L.
Triple-threat, right-footed jab step. Repeat. Triple-threat, right-footed jab step. The clock is slipping rapidly, down to 7.9 seconds. Pump fake. It works. One left-handed dribble to the sideline. LJ rises from distance. The whistle blows. The ball drops. Four-point play. Ball game. An iconic moment.
Did he hit the "L" celly on that play? Nope. The move got burned into Knicks fans' memories anyway. Best part: Big L famously once said "I'm from New York and never was a fan of the Knicks." Funny how history plays out, isn't it?
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