Image via Complex Original
The dunk is the quintessential highlight reel play. The leaping ability, creativity, and physical ferociousness involved creates an instant adrenaline rush for any sports fan. We're a bit spoiled by dunks nowadays—Blake Griffin and LeBron make it look too easy—but seeing an NBA athlete sprint down the open court is always special. When one of the league's best breaks away for a wide open dunk, you can feel the arena gasp in anticipation. Players take so few steps, elevate to such unreal heights, and twist and contort their bodies to up the degree of difficulty and to challenge themselves.
Sometimes, however, they over complicate matters. They attempt dunks they have no business attempting. They attempt dunks when they shouldn't be trying at all. They lose focus trying to annihilate the rim on the follow through. No player is exempt from these fails either. Hell, even Michael Jordan's missed dunks in his career. Need proof? Look no further than GIF Gallery: NBA Players Missing Wide Open Dunks.
Glen Davis Is No Match For Gravity
Date: 6/12/2013
Game: Heat @ Celtics
Confirmed: Big Baby can barely touch rim.
Andray Blatche the Filipino God
Date: 3/29/2014
Game: Nets @ Cavaliers
He may have a new passport, but are the Filipino people prepared for moments like this?
Manu Ginobili Loses His Legs
Date: 4/29/2012
Game: Jazz @ Spurs
The 36-year-old Ginobili should revaluate where he can feasibly take off from.
Dwyane Wade's Personal Rim Protection
Date: 10/11/2012
Game: Heat vs Clippers
So this is why the Heat haven't let D-Wade play more than 70 regular season games the past three years. Save those knees for the playoffs, Flash!
The Might of Russell Westbrook
Date: 2/20/2013
Game: Thunder @ Rockets
It'd be easy to say: "Just take the points, bro." But this is Russell Westbrook, nothing comes easy.
Steph Curry Has Backup
Date: 3/15/2013
Game: Bulls @ Warriors
Probably the first and last time any Warriors player thinks, "Man, Harrison Barnes really saved me right there."
Derrick Williams Realizes His Failed Potential
Date: 2/3/1024
Game: Bulls @ Kings
We're all for entertaining fans in a blowout, but Williams could've spared himself the public embarrassment. His fuck-up is more memorable than any dunk he could've done.
Breaking News: Kevin Garnett Is Old
Date: 5/27/2012
Game: 76ers @ Celtics
He must've had a sack of quarters in his socks.
Corey Brewer Throws Down a Brick
Date: 4/4/2014
Game: Lakers @ Timberwolves
That's what happens when you hear Swaggy P's footsteps coming.
What Else Would You Expect From Tony Wroten?
Date: 2/24/2014
Game: Bucks @ Sixers
Nothing to see here folks, just a 76er playing like a 76er.
Now Presenting, Former NBA Slam Dunk Champion Dwight Howard
Date: 4/27/2014
Game: Rockets @ Trail Blazers
Even Robin Lopez was upset.
This Should Never Happen to Andre Iguodala
Date: 11/30/2012
Game: Nuggets @ Lakers
If you watch the GIF enough times, Iguodala eventually converts the dunk.
The Incomparable C.J. Watson
Date: 4/27/2013
Game: Nets @ Bulls
Just barely rimmed out.
If You're A Millennial Michael Jordan Stan, Look Away
Date: 5/7/1992
Game: Bulls @ Knicks
The way Jordan's talked about today, you'd think that he never missed a shot.
Russell Westbrook At the Fullest of Full Extensions
Date: 5/25/2014
Game: Spurs @ Thunder
#LetWestbrookBeWestbrook
