10 key moments at Nassau Coliseum
Feb. 11, 1972
The New York Nets move from Island Garden into their new home and beat the Pittsburgh Condors, 129-121, before 7,892. Rick Barry, above, scores 45 points.
Oct. 24, 1972
Anti-war hecklers disrupt a Republican rally speech by President Richard Nixon.
June 24, 1973
Elvis Presley rocks the Coliseum. (Had Elvis not passed away on Aug. 22, 1977, his next show would have been at the Coliseum.)
Nets' star Julius Erving jumps to block a shot. In 1974, his first season with the Nets, Erving won the ABA Most Valuable Player award and was named ABA Playoff MVP as he lead the Nets to an ABA championship victory over the Utah Stars. (May 10, 1974)
May 13, 1976:
Despite trailing by 22 points in the third quarter — and 42 points by David Thompson — the Nets come back to beat the Denver Nuggets, 112-106, to win the ABA championship. It was the final game in ABA history.
June 28, 1976
George Foreman defeats Joe Frazier before only 10,341 in a heavyweight fight billed as “The Battle of the Gladiators.”
May 24, 1980
Bobby Nystrom scores in overtime to give the Islanders a 5-4 victory over the Flyers and their first Stanley Cup.
May 21, 1981
Isles beat the Minnesota North Stars, 5-1, to win their second Stanley Cup in as many seasons.
May 17, 1983
Isles win, 4-2, and sweep the Edmonton Oilers for their fourth Stanley Cup.
Feb. 8, 1983
Wayne Gretzky scores four goals in the NHL All-Star Game.