Counting down from 10 to one, it’s the NBA’s best dunks of the week, plus another day or two, since November 29. Among those featured include the usual theatrics of the Miami Heat’s All-Star duo, a pair of reverse slams, and a top four that’s complete with nothing but devastating posterizations.
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10. Al-Farouq Aminu throws in the alley-oop over Jose Calderon
If there’s any player in the league who should not attempt to stop an alley-oop from happening, it would be Jose Calderon, the Dallas Mavericks’ 6-3, 210-pound point guard.
Aside from being extremely unathletic — I’m convinced he hasn’t dunked in an NBA game in his eight-year career — and being one of the poorest defenders in the league, he’s also attempting to jump with a certified athlete in New Orleans’ Al-Farouq Aminu.
9. Nick Young goes reverse over Portland’s Joel Freeland
Nick Young could posterize LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Kobe Bryant at the same time and it wouldn’t eradicate the thought of this layup attempt he pulled against Toronto Sunday night.
Oh, but nice reverse on the Portland Trail Blazers’ big man, though. I almost lost my train of thought because of the mysticism evoked by that layup… or whatever you want to call it.
8. Paul George dunks it in reverse on the alley-oop vs. Oklahoma City
The Indiana Pacers suffered two of their three losses of the season during a recent five-game road trip against some of the West’s elite, including their conclusion against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
However, that didn’t prevent Paul George from throwing down one of the better alley-oops of the season, as he frees himself from Kevin Durant to send home the perfect pass from Roy Hibbert.
7. Victor Oladipo goes down Main Street against the Wizards
For a rookie, Victor Oladipo hasn’t shown much fear in attacking the heart of NBA defenses.
Only a week after posterizing Al Horford and Paul Millsap, Oladipo victimizes Marcin Gortat and the Washington Wizards with this drive and dunk up the middle.
6. Gerald Wallace dunks over the Bucks
It has been an uncomfortable season for Gerald Wallace. Since being traded to the Boston Celtics in the deal that sent Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce to Brooklyn, Wallace is averaging 4.5 points and 3.5 rebounds, while managing to find a way to shoot 35 percent from the foul line.
But he alleviated some doubt that he’d never return to his former form with this high-flying slam against arguably the league’s worst defense in the Milwaukee Bucks.
5. Dwyane Wade and LeBron James go off glass for the alley-oop
This isn’t the first time the duo of Dwyane Wade and LeBron James have combined for an alley-oop off the glass, with the previous one occurring last year in a contest with the Sacramento Kings.
This one was a little more relaxed in comparison, but it is always impressive to complete such a dunk when there are defenders chasing you on the fast break and attempting to play defense.
4. Jonas Valanciunas spins and slams over Andrew Bogut
My favorite part of the Rudy Gay trade? More Jonas Valanciunas!
The 6-11 center from Lithuania is averaging only 27 minutes per game and producing 9.1 points and 7.6 rebounds, despite arguably being the team’s best player. The talented center is capable of hitting short jumpers, but also has the footwork to score at will from inside, evidenced here by this spin and dunk over Golden State’s Andrew Bogut.
3. Josh Smith slams it over Chris Bosh on the fast break
Josh Smith has never been one to turn down a dunk or a three-point attempt when given the chance. He, and the Detroit Pistons, are much worse off when he’s taking three-pointers, but they have no arguments when he’s throwing down dunks in transition, such as this one against Chris Bosh and the Miami Heat.
2. Jeff Taylor Shows off his athleticism against the Sixers
Straight out of Sweden, Jeff Taylor is one of the league’s top sneaky good athletes, right up there alongside fellow Charlotte teammate Gerald Henderson.
The Philadelphia 76ers learned this the hard way when they allowed Taylor to curl across the lane and finish with emphasis on the surprised defense.
1. Iman Shumpert gives the Knicks something to cheer about
Since the New York Knicks and their faithful fan base have had little to smile about lately, it would only feel right to give them something to be proud of by awarding Iman Shumpert the dunk of the week with this trampoline slam over two Orlando Magic defenders.
Shumpert, who shot 0-for-6 in New York’s 41-point home loss to Boston on Sunday, has been at the center of trade rumors lately and may have put a little more emphasis into this particular dunk as a result. Either that or he’s just really athletic. We’ll side with that theory since there’s a lot more evidence to support the claim.
Did we miss any?
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