The NBA is in rude health at the end of 2014, another year that was dripping with highlight reel dunks and jaw-dropping buzzer beaters
1. Manu Ginobili rips out the heart of the Heat
A year earlier, after a heartbreaking Finals defeat at the hands of the Heat, there were plenty writing the obituaries of the San Antonio Spurs, and particularly Manu Ginobili, who at almost 36 looked like age and injuries had brought about the end of his effectiveness as a player. Fast forward 12 months and it was Ginobili who put the exclamation point on a remarkable 4-1 Finals victory over the same LeBron James-led Heat, the Argentine legend showing he still had plenty of spring in his step with this thunderous jam over Heat big man Chris Bosh.
2. Randy Foye stuns the Clippers
There can’t be many better feelings that striking a dagger to the heart of a team that let you go, and Foye twisted the knife on the Los Angeles Clippers with this off-balance buzzer beater that sparked wild celebrations among his Denver Nuggets team-mates.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2deeTpwHVtc
3. Wall’s impossible shot
Washington Wizards point guard John Wall is one of the quickest players in the league, but sometimes you can catch him, knock him down, and he’ll still beat you.
4. This isn’t the dunk contest!
Paul George is unlikely to play this season after suffering a gruesome leg break during a Team USA practice last summer, but this 360-degree slam against Clippers is a reminder of the Indiana Pacers swingman’s unreal athleticism.
5. Blake Griffin puts the former Mr Kardashian on a poster
Griffin is a human highlight reel, and he showed no regard for the health of Kim Kardashian’s ex-husband Kris Humphries.
6. Blake’s instant replay
More Griffin. On this occasion, he was kind enough to deliver carbon copy windmill alley-oop finishes, just in case anyone was checking their phones first time round.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHF0r69KNMY
7. Iggy’s cruel crossover
More than the plays themselves, SportsJOE is a big fan of over-the-top team-mate reactions, but we understand the astonished looks on the Golden State Warriors bench after this ankle-breaking crossover by Andre Iguodala.
8. Terrance tames the Manimal
Kenneth Faried has earned the nickname ‘The Manimal’ for his energetic and physical play, but he was on the receiving end of this ferocious fast-break dunk by the Toronto Raptors’ Terrance Ross, which placed first in the NBA’s own top ten for last season.
9. The Magic’s last-second trick
Trailing the mighty Oklahoma City Thunder with seconds remaining, the unfancied Orlando Magic sprung a fast break that was finished off by Tobias Harris a split-second before the buzzer to give the Magic one of their biggest wins of the season, as you can tell by the reaction on their bench.
10. LeBron serves up a divine dish
We couldn’t have a list without the King, and LeBron’s no-look pass to new Cleveland team-mate Kyrie Irving is one of the sweetest you’ll see.
Bonus No.1. Green’s a glass act
Journeyman Gerald Green has a well-earned reputation as one of the NBA’s most flamboyant finishers, and this month he added another to his back catalogue by passing the ball to himself off the backboard and slamming it home.
Bonus No.2. Whaddaya mean you missed it, Mum?
Mum was in the house for Denver rookie Gary Harris’s NBA debut, but that doesn’t mean she was paying attention. Harris brought the crowd to their feet with a monster dunk, only to see his mother forlornly say ‘I missed it’.
