The 20 Most Disrespectful Post-Dunk Celebrations in NBA History

Image via Complex Original

Date: 3/10/2013

Victim: Brandon Knight

Game: Pistons @ Clippers

It was so subtle yet incredibly impactful. Following the midair massacre of Brandon Knight, DeAndre Jordan let the moment breathe and allowed his Clippers teammates and the entire Staples Center to express their excitement, disbelief and continue with the sheer insanity. When everything started to die down, DeAndre finally added his own emotion and his facial expression was priceless.

Date: 12/13/2008

Victim: N/A

Game: Thunder @ Warriors

Kevin Durant may seem like a nice guy off the court, but when he's playing in a game, KD is a completely different individual. Following an angry slam, Durant pretended to slash his throat and followed that up with a prayer gesture. We'll let Durant explain the meaning behind that one. “It’s nothing against the team I’m playing against. Come out with a mindset and be friends after the game.” While there doesn't seem to be any malice behind the entire gesture, the NBA still fined him $25,000.

Date: 5/7/1997

Victim: Alonzo Mourning

Game: Knicks @ Heat

During Game 1 of the 1997 Eastern Conference Semis against the Miami Heat, Patrick Ewing let himself get caught up in the moment after posterizing Alonzo Mourning with the game on the line. And do you blame Ewing? Being a Knicks fan is frustrating enough. Could you imagine what it must've been like to be on the team that just couldn't get that elusive chip?

Date: 12/13/2008

Victim: N/A

Game: Warriors @ Nuggets

Classic Chris “Birdman” Andersen right here. Nowadays, Birdman is a technically sound player who plays the game tough but maaaaaaan, back in the day, Andersen wouldn't hesitate at the opportunity to stunt on dudes whenever possible.

Date: 6/10/1990

Victim: Bill Laimbeer

Game: Pistons @ Trail Blazers

Usually mild-mannered, Clyde Drexler took out some much-needed aggression after throwing down a power jam. But Bill Laimbeer would do that to anybody. As Laimbeer begged the referee to T up The Glide for slamming the ball onto the hardwood, Clyde regained his composure and even looked over to a teammate, as if to say, “I lost a little right there.” Do you, Drexler. Do you.

Date: 3/18/2013

Victim: Jason Terry

Game: Heat @ Celtics

After punishing Jason Terry for even thinking he could confront him at the rim and come out on the winning end, LeBron James looked over at the Celtics guard's mangled body, taking in his moment of annihilation. The calmness that LeBron displays throughout the entire scene is stirring and possibly, more haunting than someone who actually dramatically stunts after posterizing an opponent. Bron took the Jet to The Crossroads.

Date: 4/28/1992

Victim: Chris Gatling

Game: Warriors @ Supersonics

Here is one of the handful of stunts from the post-dunk celebration king, Shawn Kemp. What makes this one so special is how Kemp poses while staring down Chris Gatling following the epic posterization and all homie can do is accept the fact that he was just embarrassed by the Reign Man. Then, to cap everything off, Gatling just daps up Kemp and calls him his daddy.

Date: Unknown

Victim: Referee

Game: Trail Blazers @ Lakers

Rasheed Wallace gets into it with a referee. Have you heard this before? Probably a few dozen, maybe hundred times, right? Well, what post-dunk celebration list would be complete without 'Sheed harassing a ref, even after throwing down a dunk and the foul?

Date: 11/13/2002

Victim: Steve Nash

Game: Suns @ Cavaliers

If there's one thing we have learned about Ricky Davis during his time in the league, it's the fact that he is a crazy dude. So, when Ricky does something as jaw-dropping as putting Steve Nash on a poster, you better expect that craziness to be on full display. Davis didn't disappoint and since we're not in Nash's shoes, we couldn't be happier to see it all go down. 

Date: Unknown
Victim: N/A
Game: Celtics @ Nets

On the ground. Standing up. It doesn't matter how it is packaged, Antoine Walker will shimmy when he deems it necessary and no time seems more apropos than the moment after he throws down a filthy jam.

Date: 5/11/2007

Victim: Andrei Kirilenko

Game: Jazz @ Warriors

Why did Baron Davis decide to lift his jersey up after posterizing Andrei Kirilenko? Did he need to get cool off a little after that brief flight over AK-47? Was Davis contemplating taking off his jersey before he came to his senses? Who knows. Whatever the case, Baron's post-jam stunt game still deserves high marks. 

Date: 2/8/2008

Victim: CJ Miles

Game: Jazz @ Kings

History has told us that when Metta World Peace decides to go into the crowd, it's not a good thing. But, after flushing it down on C.J. Miles to convert the fastbreak dunk, World Peace went right into the stands to share this amazing moment with some equally pumped up fans. The NBA prides itself on being a place "where amazing happens” and getting the opportunity to dap up the man formerly known as Ron Artest after an incredible slam is definitely proving the league is as advertised.

Date: 12/16/2010

Victim: Gary Neal

Game: Spurs @ Nuggets

While J.R. Smith goes the Hulk Hogan route and puts his hand to his ear to soak in the moment of publicly shaming Gary Neal, the real gem of this whole incident is the bobblehead nod of approval by Nuggets teammate Carmelo Anthony. If you didn't break out into a wild frenzy after seeing Smith's slam, that silent appreciation probably came in a close second. No words, just involuntary movements. 

Date: 9/25/2000

Victim: Frederic Weis

Game: France vs. United States

This is our only exception to the NBA history because… well… do we really need to explain? Vince Carter actually leaped over 7'2" Frederic Weis to complete the dunk. That last sentence alone makes us want to jump out of our chairs and fist-pump like a wild person and nearly knock out a co-worker a la Vinsanity. 

Hell, there's even a section of Frederic Weis' Wiki dedicated to this dunk.

Date: 11/12/2009

Victim: Anderson Varejao

Game: Cavaliers @ Heat

Following his dunk on Anderson Varejao, Dwayne Wade could've easily kept walking to the left, but noooooo. Wade decided to really bring Varejao down another level by casually stepping over him, like he was some roadkill on the court. Come to think of it, Anderson was basically just that after D-Wade massacred him with the facial.

Date: 6/12/1996

Victim: Dennis Rodman

Game: Bulls @ SuperSonics

Whether you think the entire incident was accidental or done on purpose, one thing is for sure, this is completely and utterly disrespectful. After all, who gets an opponent's nuts placed on their head and doesn't get a little salty? It's just a hairy situation to be in. Okay, we're done. Good night.

Date: 4/2/2000

Victim: Chris Dudley

Game: Knicks @ Lakers

Shaquille O'Neal has taunted so many opponents, you could create a list solely on those displays. However, none may be greater than this assassination of Chris Dudley's livelihood when Shaq capped off his posterization by pushing the Knicks center to the ground. Obviously, Dudley had an issue with the disrespectful nature of the post-dunk celebration, but what are you really going to do to Shaq? Stay in your lane, fam!

Date: 5/13/1997

Victim: Dikembe Mutombo

Game: Hawks @ Bulls

Michael Jordan may have gotten embarrassed by Dikembe Mutombo in the past, but remember one thing, His Airness will always get the last laugh.

Date: 5/20/1994

Victim: Patrick Ewing

Game: Knicks @ Bulls

The levels of disrespect! Scottie Pippen couldn't just leave it at the pure shame that comes with a posterization. Scottie had to add his own brand of Celestial Seasonings, if you know what we mean.

Date: 4/30/1992

Victim: Alston Lister

Game: Warriors @ Supersonics

Did you know that Alston Lister had a long, sustainable 17-year NBA career where he averaged a respectable 6.6 points and 6.3 rebounds per game? Probably not, because whenever Lister's name is brought up, you don't recall his numbers or history. Instead, your mind is immediately transported to this particular moment in history. At this point, Kemp will forever be synonymous with Lister. The Reign Man stays winning.