Image via Complex Original
OK folks, the NBA Playoffs are almost upon us (first round begins on Saturday). After a year of "lockout ugly" basketball we will be rewarded with intense playoff hoops, but that doesn't mean there was a shortage of highlights this year. Everyone loves a rim-rattling dunk, even (in secret) those cornballs that say, "It's only worth two points!" Blah, blah, blah. A proper jam can change the momentum of a game and get your fans and teammates amped. Just listen to OKC's commentator, Brian Davis' reaction to a Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook connection, check the faces of Blake Griffin's teammates when he blammed it on Kendrick Perkins, or watch Jersey (RIP) go into a frenzy when Gerald Green did the unthinkable.
This was the year of the poster. So many facials, so many stare downs, too many to include them all. Find out who made the cut in The 25 Best Dunks of the 2011-2012 NBA Season.
RELATED: The 50 Best NBA Slam Dunks of All Time
Follow @Complex_Sports
25. Vinsanity is Forever
Date: 2/13/2012
Dunk By: Vince Carter, Dallas Mavericks
Opponent: vs. Clippers
Show of hands if you thought Vince was going to lay it up. The old man took Randy Foye baseline and hit him with the reverse jam. We can't wait for VC to take a trip to Germany and get that miracle blood-spinning treatment.
24. Double the Oop
Date: 3/24/2012
Dunk By: JR Smith, New York Knicks
Opponent: vs. Pistons
JR tried to hit Iman with the alley, but when that didn't work out, Iman threw one to him. Teamwork, people. And always try to reward a guy for good defense. #koldgame
23. Blake Griffin is Never Scared
Date: 4/11/2012
Dunk By: Blake Griffin, Los Angeles Clippers
Opponent: @ Thunder
Serge is taking that "Iblocka" nickname to heart and really thinks he can block everything. He and Pau Gasol have received the most fades this year. Next time just get out of the way. It's not worth it, fam.
22. Oh, You're A 7-Footer? That's Cool.
Date: 4/1/2012
Dunk By: Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder
Opponent: vs. Bulls
Once Russell took flight, Omer Asik quickly regretted being in the game. Announcer Mike Tirico isn't built for dunks like this. We should start a petition to have him relegated to only golf and tennis coverage.
21. Throw It Down Big Man, Throw It Down
Date: 3/13/2012
Dunk By: DeMarcus Cousins, Sacramento Kings
Opponent: vs. Warriors
First off, why didn't Bill Walton call this game? Secondly, DeMarcus Cousins should be doing this every game. The kid has the potential to be a beast! Too bad he's in Sac-Town.
20. Baby 'Nique
Date: 2/21/2012
Dunk By: Paul George, Indiana Pacers
Opponent: vs. Hornets
Paul George respects the art of the dunk. This windmill would make Dominque proud. Paul had everything: The gather, the form and the authority. This was a very nice salute to the O.G. #respectyourelders
19. KD and Westbrook Connect
Date: 4/13/2012
Dunk By: Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder
Opponent: vs. Kings
If you listen closely you can hear Thunder announcer Brian Davis say, "Oh! There are no words for how nasty these two All-Stars can be. Oh!" Pause?
18. The Ill Reverse Slam
Date: 1/31/2012
Dunk By: Paul George, Indiana Pacers
Opponent: vs. Nets
Another perfect dunk by Paul George. The double-pump was just sick. Sidebar: Did you peep the kicks? It's gotta be the shoes.
17. Get Off Me
Date: 1/7/2012
Dunk By: Blake Griffin, Los Angeles Clippers
Opponent: vs. Bucks
Ersan wanted nothing to do with Blake Griffin. He gave up and was still called for the foul. Where they do that at? Oh yeah, the NBA, where amazing happens.
16. Some Playground Shit
Date: 1/27/2012
Dunk By: Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat
Opponent: vs. Knicks
Wade straight sonned Landry on this one. He hit him in the head with the ball and then Euro-stepped his way to a poster.
15. DeAndre Jordan Soars Over Gasol and Bynum
Date: 12/19/2012
Dunk By: DeAndre Jordan, Los Angeles Clippers
Opponent: @ Lakers
Pau Gasol has took a lot of Ls this year and this preseason game should've been a forewarning. Both Laker big men have a combined vertical of 3.5 inches. They split like DeAndre's name was Moses.
14. JR Smith is Back
Date: 2/29/2012
Dunk By: JR Smith, New York Knicks
Opponent: vs. Cavs
Even in old age, B. Diddy can still throw a mean alley. JR wasted no time making his presence felt after returning from China. The reverse was a nice touch.
13. Josh Smith Hates Serge Ibaka
Date: 3/3/2012
Dunk By: Josh Smith, Atlanta Hawks
Opponent: vs. Thunder
After shooting an air ball, Josh makes sure he gets his two points. He threw it down like a grown man all over Ibaka's face. The commentary after the nasty stuff was beautiful.
12. You've Been Shitted On
Date: 2/14/2012
Dunk By: Nicolas Batum, Portland Trailblazers
Opponent: vs. Wizards
Trevor Booker and JaVale McGee were no match for Batum. He turned the corner and had one thing on his mind: Facialize whoever steps in his way (II). Trevor could've at least tried to flop. Points for taking it like a true G.
11. Durantula Strikes Again
Date: 4/6/2012
Dunk By: Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder
Opponent: @ Pacers
What ever happened to fouling a guy when he comes down the lane like a mad man? Paul George ain't shit for setting up Hibbert like that. KD might be skinny, but he's not soft. Not too many folks have gone up against Area 55 and lived to tell about it.
10. Jason Maxiell With the Nasty Putback
Date: 4/15/2012
Dunk By: Jason Maxiell, Detroit Pistons
Opponent: vs. Bulls
In case you haven't noticed, Jason Maxiell is a man. That putback was one of vicious beauty. He looked like he wanted to smack the spray paint off of Boozer's head.
9. Back to the Future
Date: 3/4/2012
Dunk By: Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs
Opponent: vs. Nuggets
That's that veteran savvy right there. First, Timmy hits him in the face with the rock then he slams it on his neck. Take notes, class is in session.
8. Deez Nuts
Date: 1/16/2012
Dunk By: Chandler Parsons, Houston Rockets
Opponent: @ Wizards
"Tell me how my nuts taste." - Chandler Parsons
7. LeBron is Such a Tease
Date: 2/26/2012
Dunk By: LeBron James, Miami Heat
Opponent: vs. West
What an asshole. He snubs the Dunk Contest invitation and decides to bring this out of the repertoire. We ain't mad, though. Nah, fuck that, we are.
6. So Disrespectful
Date: 1/29/2012
Dunk By: Blake Griffin, Los Angeles Clippers
Opponent: vs. Thunder
All you can do is make an ugly face and run it back. Absolutely filthy. Can't blame Kendrick Perkins to be tight after that shit.
5. John Wall Climbs B. Diddy's Back
Date: 4/13/2012
Dunk By: John Wall, Washington Wizards
Opponent: @ Knicks
That's fucked up. Didn't John notice Baron's orthopedic shoes? Didn't he know it was B. Diddy's birthday? SMH, kids these days show no respect to their elders.
4. Feed the Beast
Date: 1/4/2012
Dunk By: Kenneth Fareid, Denver Nuggets
Opponent: vs. Kings
They practice this, they have to. Rudy gives the alley of the decade to the Manimal. Shout to Ty Lawson with the tackle, he should get half an assist for that.
3. Ka-Pau!
Date: 4/4/2012
Dunk By: Blake Griffin, Los Angeles Clippers
Opponent: vs. Lakers
All you have to do is look at Pau's face after each dunk. Blake Griffin is so disrespectful. He threw Pau out of the way both times like fuck a foul!
2. Gerald Green is an Alien
Date: 3/10/2012
Dunk By: Gerald Green, New Jersey Nets
Opponent: vs. Rockets
Holy Shit, did you see how high he was? Somehow this reminds us how underrated that Cupcake dunk was. Gerald Green is one of the greatest dunkers of our time.
1. LeBron Jumps Over John Lucas III
Date: 1/29/2012
Dunk By: LeBron James, Miami Heat
Opponent: vs. Bulls
LeBron is a bully, yo. John Lucas III was just minding his business and here comes LeBron jumping over him like it's the cool thing to do. Poor guy.
