On April 1, 1985, one of the most legendary and controversial moments in sports history occurred during an NBA game between the New Jersey Nets and the Washington Bullets. With just a few seconds left on the clock and the Nets trailing by one point, point guard Micheal Ray Richardson took an inbound pass and dribbled towards the basket. Just as he was about to shoot, the ball suddenly exploded in his hands, leaving him and the other players on the court stunned.
As it turned out, the "exploding ball" was an April Fools' Day prank orchestrated by Nets head coach Stan Albeck and the team's equipment manager, Rick Genovese. They had secretly switched the game ball with a specially rigged one that was designed to break apart upon impact.
The prank initially caused confusion and chaos on the court, with players and referees alike unsure of what had just happened. However, once the truth was revealed, both teams and the crowd erupted in laughter and applause, appreciating the lighthearted moment in the midst of an intense game.
The incident made headlines around the world and has since become a beloved part of sports folklore. It showcased the playful and mischievous side of the NBA and reminded everyone that even in the heat of competition, there's always room for a good laugh.
While the Nets ultimately lost the game that night, the "exploding ball" prank has endured as a classic moment in basketball history, cementing April 1, 1985, as a date that will forever be remembered by sports fans everywhere.
