Image via Complex Original
We are nearly a month into the 2011-2012 NBA season and it’s already shaping up to be a better one than last year. After a prolonged hiatus due to the lockout, The Association returned on Christmas Day with more than enough hoops action to hold us down. Since then, we have been treated to quite a few surprise teams and players, even more highlight reel moments shared between Heat teammates Dwyane Wade and LeBron James and an ever-changing hierarchy in the NBA.
It's early, sure, but why not take a look at the best slams, alley-oops, and posterizations that remind us why we love this game. From the showboating jam that got JaVale McGee ejected by his own coach to more facials than any person can handle (II), here are The 20 Best Dunks of the NBA Season (So Far).
Chandler Parsons
20. Parsons Drives McGee Nuts
Date: 1/16/2012
Dunk By: Chandler Parsons, Houston Rockets
Opponent: @ Wizards
JaVale McGee has probably seen his fair share of offensive sets and tactics. But has he ever played against the Chandler Parsons' "360 nuts coverage?"
Kobe Bryant
19. Kobe Looking Like A Young'n Again
Date: 12/26/2011
Dunk By: Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers
Opponent: @ Kings
Kobe Bryant may be 33-years-old, but that doesn't mean he can't jump when he needs to. Especially now that his pockets are way lighter. Losing $75M will do that to ya...
Rudy Gay
18. Rudy Does It All
Date: 1/16/2012
Dunk By: Rudy Gay, Memphis Grizzlies
Opponent: vs. Bulls
A block on one end of the court. A mean crossover and finish on the other end. We can't award Rudy Gay 4 points on this play?
Ian Mahinmi
17. And Introducing Ian Mahinmi...
Date: 1/21/2012
Dunk By: Ian Mahinmi, Dallas Mavericks
Opponent: @ Hornets
While many people outside the Mavericks fan base probably don't know the name of Ian Mahinmi, his posterization on Gustavo Ayon (who?!? x2) should get people noticing.
Derrick Williams
16. The Rubio-Williams Connection
Date: 1/2/2012
Dunk By: Derrick Williams, Minnesota Timberwolves
Opponent: vs. Spurs
They're not quite D-Wade and LeBron, but the Minnesota Timberwolves are developing a nice little alley-oop tandem in Ricky Rubio and Derrick Williams. And while this play stands as their best connection so far, there's still plenty of time in the young season.
Jrue Holiday
15. Welcome to the NBA, Vesely
Date: 1/13/2012
Dunk By: Jrue Holiday, Philadelphia 76ers
Opponent: vs. Wizards
Everyone's life is full of firsts. This facial by Jrue Holiday just so happened to be the first of rookie Jan Vesely's career. Consider this your christening, homie.
DeMarcus Cousins
14. Look Out Behind You!
Date: 1/1/2012
Dunk By: DeMarcus Cousins, Sacramento Kings
Opponent: @ Raptors
The ironic thing about this play is that both players involved wish they were somewhere else. One guy (Cousins) has already demanded a trade out of Sac-Town, while the other (Amir Johnson) doesn't want to be on the receiving end of this play. We think DeMarcus just had to release some of that built up frustration and Amir just happened to be the unlucky victim. Gotta release that tension somehow. Ayo!
Monta Ellis
13. Monta Ellis Will Not Be Denied
Date: 1/14/2012
Dunk By: Monta Ellis, Golden State Warriors
Opponent: @ Bobcats
On any given night, a shot blocker can get a facial. Take Tyrus Thomas, for example. Usually dude stuffs anything that comes near the basket, but on this occasion, Monta Ellis took it to the hole and wasn't going to be denied. Relentless pursuits on the court? Dope! Off of it? Not so much.
Chris Bosh
12. Bosh's Awkward Posterization
Date: 12/28/2011
Dunk By: Chris Bosh, Miami Heat
Opponent: @ Bobcats
The dunk was ill, but the celebration is what stole the show. Stay awkward, Bosh Spice. Even in the best of moments.
Blake Griffin (2)
11. Blake Has 'Em Shook
Date: 1/7/2012
Dunk By: Blake Griffin, Los Angeles Clippers
Opponent: vs. Bucks
Hey Ersan Ilyasova, people who try to defend Blake going to the hoop usually jump. This new approach has a zero percent chance of working and will only result in you being emasculated. #yourewelcome
Corey Maggette
10. Air Maggette
Date: 12/26/2011
Dunk By: Corey Maggette, Charlotte Bobcats
Opponent: vs. Bucks
Like the Bobcats, Corey Maggette started off the season with a splash after the impressive alley-oop slam against the Bucks. Nowadays? Well, let's just say Jigga sums it up best...
Vince Carter
9. Vinsanity Still Has It
Date: 1/7/2012
Dunk By: Vince Carter, Dallas Mavericks
Opponent: vs. Hornets
Who said that Vince Carter couldn't jump like he used to? Oh yeah, that's right...everyone! Well, here he is proving all the haters wrong and showing off those hops from back, back in the day. Like, only four or five years ago.
JaVale McGee
8. Yup, It Was Worth It
Date: 1/16/2012
Dunk By: JaVale McGee, Washington Wizards
Opponent: vs. Rockets
Getting benched by your own coach for showboating on a fast break dunk? What is this, the Wizards or something? Oh, it is. Couldn't recognize them by their new unis. Well then, carry on...
LeBron James
7. LeBron Being LeBron
Date: 12/30/2011
Dunk By: LeBron James, Miami Heat
Opponent: @ Timberwolves
A list of the best dunks from the 2011-2012 NBA season would be invalid without LeBron James. Sidebar: You know that guy doing the interview wasn't listening to a damn thing this woman was saying after he witnessed King James' thunderous slam.
Blake Griffin
6. Blake Griffin Posterizes Kris Humphries
Date: 1/16/2012
Dunk By: Blake Griffin, Los Angeles Clippers
Opponent: vs. Nets
Remember that time when someone actually confused Blake Griffin with Kris Humphries? This play right here should prove that there is a definite difference between the two.
Jason Thompson
5. Jason Thompson Puts Chris Kaman On A Poster
Date: 1/1/2012
Dunk By: Jason Thompson, Sacramento Kings
Opponent: vs. Hornets
Once Chris Kaman got traded to the Hornets in that infamous CP3 trade, he probably thought he would never be seen or heard from again. Guess you were wrong.
John Wall
4. J-Wall Puts A Center In His Place
Date: 1/2/2012
Dunk By: John Wall, Washington Wizards
Opponent: @ Celtics
How can the ref call a technical on John Wall after he posterized the 6-foot-11 Greg Stiemsma? Those zebras just don't understand.
Dwyane Wade
3. D-Wade's Christmas Gift to NBA Fans
Date: 12/25/2011
Dunk By: Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat
Opponent: @ Mavericks
After a long lockout, The Association came back on Christmas with a plethora of games to watch throughout the day. Then, we feasted our eyes on another phenomenal connection between LeBron James and Dwyane Wade. Oh NBA, how we missed you!
DeAndre Jordan
2. The Best "Lob City" Has To Offer
Date: 1/20/2012
Dunk By: DeAndre Jordan, Los Angeles Clippers
Opponent: vs. Lakers
Throughout the early part of this NBA season, the Los Angeles Clippers have surely lived up to their "Lob City" billing. DeAndre Jordan's monster dunk over seven-footers Andew Bynum and Pau Gasol is the best representation of the Clips' hostile takeover thus far. The most exciting basketball in L.A, is happening over here. #nodebatenecessary
Kenneth Faried
1. Kenneth Faried Has the Dunk of the Year (So Far)
Date: 1/4/2012
Dunk By: Kenneth Faried, Denver Nuggets
Opponent: vs. Kings
If we were judging this on the dunk alone, this would be nowhere near the top. But thanks to a sweet pass from teammate Rudy Fernandez, this play stands alone as the clear-cut choice for best dunk of the 2011-2012 NBA season so far.
