Image via Complex Original
If you know anything about the NBA or watched Hoop Dreams, you'd know the odds of making it to the 'L' are generally a bit slim; it's a little bit harder than having a "wicked jump shot" as Biggie says. As such, all NBA players have to have some level of badassery to make it. It's just that some players are more badass than others.
In fact, some of the best moments of the the 2012-13 season were so badass, we wonder if there's a word in the English dictionary that truly describes 'em. Obliterations? Dominations? Brandon-Knightings? Maybe that last one's not in the dictionary, but come and describe them for yourself in The 25 Most Badass Plays of the 2012-13 NBA Season in GIFs.
RELATED: The 20 Biggest Stories of the 2012-13 NBA Season in GIFs
25. Lob City in Effect
Date: 3/6/2013
Matchup: Bucks @ Clippers
Because doing fastbreaks the simple way just isn't how they do things in Lob City.
24. John Wall With the No-No
Date: 4/2/2013
Matchup: Bulls @ Wizards
The frustrations of being on a struggle team were taken out in one mean swat.
23. Fear the Beard
Date: 1/28/2013
Matchup: Rockets @ Jazz
This isn't the No. 3 guy from OKC you're guarding here.
22. John Wall Will Obliterate Your Ankles
Date: 1/14/2013
Matchup: Magic @ Wizards
Can we have a moment of silence for Ish Smith's ankles?
21. Ricky Rubio's Magicianship
Date: 3/12/2013
Matchup: Spurs @ Timberwolves
Only Rubio would catch two players in a row with the same move.
20. LeBron James Goes Airborne
Date: 1/12/2013
Matchup: Heat @ Kings
Don't hurt 'em, Bron Bron.
19. Caron Butler Tries to Throw Down on Dwight Howard
Date: 4/7/2013
Matchup: Lakers @ Clippers
The badassery goes two ways here: Howard for the block and Butler for even having the balls to attempt it.
18. Jeff Green Throws it Down on Chris Bosh
Date: 1/27/2013
Matchup: Heat @ Celtics
And that's another facial on Bosh. Sighs.
17. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist Goes into Beast Mode
Date: 2/20/2013
Matchup: Pistons @ Bobcats
Greg Monroe is probably thankful for Brandon Knight's existence to help people forget about this sonning (until now at least).
16. Joe Johnson's Game Winner
Date: 2/19/2013
Matchup: Bucks vs. Nets
Yeah, it's a GIF, but you can still hear the "Brook-Lyn" chants.
15. Kevin Durant Stumps Kevin Garnett
Date: 3/10/2013
Matchup: Celtics @ Thunder
You know that time we said Garnett had that "near-unmatched intensity [and] defense?" Um...
14. Deron Williams. Denied.
Date: 11/23/2013
Matchup: Clippers @ Nets
Williams: Lemme get these two points for my team real quick.
Griffin: LOL
13. Caron Butler Dominates With This Dunk
Date: 12/5/2012
Matchup: Mavs @ Clippers
Hit 'em with the gasface!
12. Kyrie Irving Makes Jason Kidd Look Old
Date: 12/15/2012
Matchup: Cavs @ Knicks
You shouldn't ever sleep on Irving, especially when he has that Batman mask on.
11. Kobe Bryant Gives Brooklyn Some Work
Date: 2/5/2013
Matchup: Lakers @ Nets
Ironically, Brooklyn slept on the Mamba.
10. Little Nate Says "GTFOH!"
Date: 12/15/2013
Matchup: Nets @ Bulls
Little Nate with the Big D! Most accidentally sexual commentator calls list coming soon...
9. Gerald Henderson Levitates and Violates
Date: 12/18/2013
Matchup: Bobcats @ Lakers
Look at Antwan Jamison on the bench getting hype...like those aren't his teammates that just got posterized.
8. Kobe Bryant Takes LeBron James' Heart
Date: 2/17/2012
Matchup: 2013 All-Star Game
"It was all good just a few months ago." #mambatweets #kobethemartyr
7. Joe Johsnon Makes Paul Pierce Look His Age
Date: 11/28/2013
Matchup: Nets @ Celtics
"No mas" - Paul Pierce's ankles.
6. Kevin Durant's Up-and-Under Move
Date: 3/1/2013
Matchup: Thunder @ Nuggets
Not sure if Durantula or Dr. J.
5. Nikola Pekovic's Face Gets Dunked On
Date: 11/24/2013
Matchup: Timberwolves @ Warriors
If anybody asks you what's a SFW facial, just link 'em over here.
4. Kyrie Irving's Stupefying Crossover
Date: 2/15/2013
Matchup: The Rising Stars Challenge
The whole point of the Rising Stars Challenge is to spotlight some of today's up and coming ballers. That's a bad thing in this case for Brandon Knight.
3. J.R. Smith Ridiculous Alley-Oop
Date: 1/3/2013
Matchup: Spurs @ Knicks
This was actually a bad pass, but J.R. Smith was all like, "Fuck it." ALLEY-OOP!
2. LeBron James Shows Jason Terry "Overrated"
Date: 3/18/2013
Matchup: Heat @ Celtics
James stares him down, just to make sure he thought about him when Terry slept that night.
1. DeAndre Jordan Ruins Brandon Knight's Life
Date: 3/10/2013
Matchup: Pistons @ Clippers
So, was DeAndre Jordan's dunk on Brandon Knight the most badass play of the 2012-13 season? Ja said it best. Hold your head, man.
