The 25 Biggest Fails of the 2012-13 NBA Season in GIFs

Airballs, missed dunks, and balls to the face.

April 18, 2013

Image via Complex Original

The NBA provides us with more ooh’s and ahh’s on a nightly basis than maybe any other sport on the planet. From high-flying jams, to buzzer-beating threes, it’s hard to top the drama and excitement of the Association. And with the playoffs just on the horizon, NBA fans are gearing up for what’s sure to be another amazing run on the quest to hoist the Larry O’Brien Trophy.

With that said, for every ooh and ahh generated by the league, there’s also those moments of head-scratching madness and hapless laughter that make the NBA great as well. End of the year awards and accolades maybe up for grabs, but we’d like to take this opportunity to honor the other part of the game. The part that shows that guys like Russell Westbrook and Paul Pierce are in fact, human. Watch some of your favorite players act a fool in the 25 Biggest Fails of the 2012-13 NBA Season in GIFs.

Written by Adam Silvers (@silversurfer103)

25. Chris Bosh Left the Door Open

Date: 2/17/2013
Matchup: 2013 NBA All-Star Game

From champagne showers to getting done up here by Chris Paul during All-Star weekend, Chris Bosh just can't catch a break. At least he's a perrenial All-Star and a champion, though. Let that shit burn, guys.

24. Jarrett Jack Goes the Distance

Date: 4/11/2013
Matchup: Thunder @ Warriors

Jarrett put a little bit too much mustard on that one.

23. J.R. Smith Is Just Short

Date: 2/4/2013
Matchup: Pistons @ Knicks

J.R. Smith is having his best season, averaging career-high averages in points (18.1) and rebounds (five). Unfortunately, this isn't one of his most prolific moments. Lookin' more like Dwight Howard at the charity stripe, than a Sixth Man of the Year candidate.

22. Chris Bosh Loses Again

Date: 3/27/2013
Matchup: Heat @ Bulls

If you're having a tough day at the office just imagine Jimmy Butler trying to sit on your head.

21. Paul Pierce Hits the Deck

Date: 11/25/2012
Matchup: Celtics @ Magic

Paul "The Truth" Pierce is no doubt every bit a champion. But, homie is also 35 and not getting any younger. Back in November of this season, Jameer Nelson put the moves on the vet, and left him screaming on the floor like this dude. We could've done a whole list dedicated to the deconstruction of Pierce's ankles this season.

20. George Hill Takes Revenge

Date: 2/26/2013
Matchup: Warriors @ Pacers

Nobody likes getting crossed up, dunked on, or blocked. We know this. So when George Hill hit the deck courtesy of some smooth moves from Steph Curry, he decided there was no way Curry was going to score on him.

19. Caron Butler Kills Two Birds with One Stone

Date: 1/22/2013
Matchup: Thunders @ Clippers

Caron Butler makes his second appearance on this list with an aggressive swat of a Serge Ibaka shot that nails ref Derek Richardson right in the dome. Balls to the face. Ayo!

18. Perkins with the Smoothe No-Look

Date: 1/11/2013
Matchup: Thunder @ Lakers

Kendrick Perkins isn't known for dropping dimes, so we really wonder what he was thinking with this no-look, behind the back pass. He should've been benched.

17. Blatche Takes it in the Face

Date: 1/28/2013
Matchup: Magic @ Nets

That's what happens when career bums like Andray Blatche wear Jordans.

16. Linsanity!

Date: 11/12/2012
Matchup: Heat @ Rockets

Knicks fans everywhere rejoiced when they saw this play. You can't put up an airball in that moment. Ray Ray just let him take it, too.

15. Westbrook Misses with Authority

Date: 2/20/2013
Matchup: Thunder @ Rockets

Clank! Best assist of all time!

14. Blake Griffin Gets Clowned

Date: 1/2/2013
Matchup: Clippers @ Warriors

Those benchwarmers on the Warriors should be ashamed of themselves. Blake should put them all on a poster, and he should also stop shooting threes while he's at it.

13. "And You're in the NBA, Right?"

Date: 2/16/2013
Matchup: 2013 Skills Challenge

If you're competing in the All-Star Skills Challenge, you should probably be able to hit a layup. Really, Jeff Teague? SMH.

12. JaVale McGee Being JaVale McGee

Date: 12/7/2012
Matchup: Nuggets @ Pacers

Seriously, when McGee started bringing the ball up the court who really thought it wasn't going to end in disaster?

11. The Ever-Sheisty Caron Butler

Date: 2/1/2013
Matchup: Clippers @ Raptors

In the waning seconds of a blowout loss, Tuff Juice went for the handshake but stole the ball and scored an easy bucket instead. Hey, it's all about paddin' those stats. Word to these dudes.

10. Wrong Basket, Fam.

Date: 11/27/2012
Matchup: Raptors @ Rockets

Omer Asik has blossomed into a versatile big for the Rockets, but on this play back in November he took versatile to a whole new level. Homie, your hoop is the other way, and no you don't get the credit when you score on the opposing team's basket. SMH.

9. DeAndre Jordan Goes Glass

Date: 2/4/2013
Matchup: Clippers @ Lakers

"Damn, use yo good eye, baby!" -Mama Jordan.

8. D. Rose, Come Back Soon

Date: 12/21/2012
Matchup: Bulls @ Knicks

Chicago Bulls or Washington Generals? Can't tell? Us neither.

7. From Bosnia, with Air

Date: 2/6/2013
Matchup: Nets @ Pistons

If you airball two straight shots, what makes you think the third is going to be wet? Shame on you Mirza, better yet, shame on the rest of BK for passing him the ball again.

6. Ref Blocks Kris Humphries

Date: 12/12/2012
Matchup: Nets @ Raptors

Kris Humphries will never win. Ever.

5. NBA Towel Shortage

Date: 1/8/2013
Matchup: Lakers @ Rockets

Eghk! *Pusha T voice*

4. R.I.P. Brandon Knight's Ankles

Date: 2/5/2013
Matchup: 2013 Rising Stars Challenge

Well at least Brandon Knight didn't get sent to the D-League this season. Glass half-full perspectives FTW!

3. Kobe Pulls the Ol' Okie Doke

Date: 3/6/2013
Matchup: Lakers @ Hornets

Veteran savvy at its best. How can you be an NBA team and forget what side of the court you're on? What is this Amateur Hour? We're waiting for Sandman from the Appollo to come running out and pull Monty Williams off the stage.