Image via Complex Original
What's a dunk without the disrespect? Posterizing another man is one of the most gratifying things one can do (we wouldn't know, but that's besides the point), and watching it happen is thrilling. But the best part of the dunk? The reaction. Seeing the crowd go wild, the bench erupt, and the announcers lose their hairpieces completes the process. No dunk reaction, however, is complete without the inevitable taunt. Throughout NBA history, we've seen a two basic types of post-dunk taunts: the step-over the body and the stare-down and flex. Scottie Pippen stepping over Patrick Ewing in 1994 set the bar for the former, while the latter has been standardized by none other than LeBron James. The NBA isn't without its colorful characters though, as facial specialists like Michael Jordan, Shawn Kemp, and Shaquille O'Neal have been creative with their taunts over the years. Peep the disrespect in this GIF Gallery: The Best NBA Post-Dunk Taunts.
J.R. Doesn't Care For the City of Brotherly Love
Date: 11/5/2012
Game: Knicks @ 76ers
Victim: Philadelphia 76ers fans
J.R. Smith didn't posterize any one particular player here, but because he's J.R. Smith, he had to let the people know what's really good. Those people? Well, just the entire city of Philadelphia.
The King Stares Down His Prey
Date: 2/13/2013
Game: Heat @ Celtics
Victim: Jason Terry
LeBron James was hit with a technical for this "taunt," but he had every right to mean mug Jason Terry after taking Terry's soul. James has been in the league since 2003 and cats are STILL trying to challenge him 1v1 to disrupt his shot? Terry deserved to get literally posterized.
You Wanna See a Dead Body?
Date: 3/10/2013
Game: Pistons @ Clippers
Victim: Brandon Knight
After DeAndre Jordan murdered Brandon Knight in cold blood, he had to step over the body. He just had to. Things got ugly out there.
Get Off Me!
Date: 4/2/2000
Game: Knicks @ Lakers
Victim: Chris Dudley
Shaquille O'Neal at the height of his powers was a force. Chris Dudley was an awkward Yale graduate who stood no chance. Dudley didn't take Shaq's push lightly though—he threw the ball at Shaq and shouted "fuck you!" immediately after. Maybe if Dudley didn't try and grab Shaq's thighs on the way down (pause), there wouldn't have been a push.
Don't Trade Shump!
Date: 3/4/2012
Game: Knicks @ Celtics
Victim: Kevin Garnett
The Knicks may be hellbent on trading Iman Shumpert, but first they should remember the potential of the kid, and check out this slam. Way to get all up in Kevin Garnett's face, Shump.
On To the Finals
Date: 6/4/2000
Game: Trailblazers @ Lakers
Victim: The Portland Trailblazers
Down by 15 points in the 4th quarter, the Lakers rallied against the Trailblazers to take Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals. They capped off the comeback with this empathatic Shaquille O'Neal dunk from Kobe Bryant, prompting Shaq's awesome "WE'RE GOING TO THE FINALS, IN YOUR FACE TRAILBLAZERS, I LOVE KOBE!" reaction.
Flexin'! I'm Just Flexin'!
Date: 11/24/2012
Game: Timberwolves @ Warriors
Victim: Nikola Pekovic
Harrison Barnes broke out the classic flex and stare right in Nikola Pekovic's grill. They say Barnes' stare turned Pekovic to stone.
Kobe Taps That Ass
Date: 2/20/2011
Game: 2011 NBA All-Star Game
Victim: LeBron James
Kobe Bryant had to remind LeBron James who the best in the business is (remember: this was in 2011), which probably encited a bloody Kobe vs. LeBron stan battle on Twitter.
A Kiss From Shaq
Date: 2/18/2007
Game: 2007 NBA All-Star Game
Victim: Tracy McGrady
The Big Diesel had to bless one of his minions with a kiss.
Flash Steps Over His Victim
Date: 11/14/2009
Game: Cavaliers @ Heat
Victim: Anderson Varejao
The taunt is so subtle, but oh so real. Dwyane Wade stepped over Anderson Varejao in such a defiant way. He finished the dunk with his back to Varejao, but CHOSE to turn around and coldly step-over him. Like he was sonning Varejao's existence but not recognizing it at the same time. Heartless, D-Wade.
Baron Davis is Teflon
Date: 5/11/2007
Game: Jazz @ Warriors
Victim: Andrei Kirilenko
Three different interpretations of was Baron Davis wanted to say when he untucked his jersey and primped it: 1) I'm untucking my jersey because that dunk was so improper, 2)LOOK AT MY ABS, 3)You can't touch me. If a rapper dropping his mic after killing his opponent in a rap battle could be expressed as a basketball taunt, you're looking at it.
No, No, No!
Date: 5/13/1997
Game: Hawks @ Bulls
Victim: Dikembe Mutombo
Ah, how the tables turned here. MJ got his revenge.
If You See 'Em, Point 'Em Out
Date: 4/30/1992
Game: Warriors @ Supersonics
Victim: Alton Lister
Did anyone on Alton Lister's team stand up for him? If this went down in 2013, Shawn Kemp's bench would do a little Terio dance, he'd get a technical, and Hubie Brown would have a brain aneurysm, but shit, this play happened in 1992! This was the era of the Bad Boy Pistons, Pat Riley's "You Die If You Drive Knicks," and the height of league physicality. There's no way Kemp should've gotten away with these shenanigans today.
Get On The Ground, Now!
Date: 5/20/1994
Game: Knicks @ Bulls
Victim: Patrick Ewing
"The originator, none greater." There have been a handful of players who have stepped over their dunk victim like they're a fresh pile of dog shit on the sidewalk, but Scottie Pippen here was the first to do it in a blatantly disrespectful and combative manner. Patrick Ewing was not amused.
