The specified phrase refers to a specific subgenre of sports video games focusing on basketball, particularly titles that simulate matchups between the Chicago Bulls and the Los Angeles Lakers during the National Basketball Association (NBA) playoffs, released on the Sega Genesis console (also known as the Mega Drive outside North America). These games aimed to replicate the experience of playing professional basketball, often featuring simplified controls and gameplay mechanics tailored for the 16-bit platform.
The emergence of these titles represented a significant milestone in the evolution of sports video games, capturing the intensity and excitement of real-world NBA rivalries. They provided a platform for players to vicariously experience iconic matchups and manipulate virtual athletes, contributing to the growing popularity of both basketball and video games in the early 1990s. Further, these games often served as cultural artifacts, reflecting the design aesthetics and technological limitations of their era, while documenting the popularity of specific teams and players.