Dunk of Death

On a quest to centralize the greatest basketball photographs of all-time; to provide the highest quality versions of full-sized original still images... It may not be the first time you've seen some of these pictures on tumblr, but hopefully Dunk of Death will be your future go-to stop for the most exceptional basketball moments ever captured on camera. If I've (re)blogged without crediting the most appropriate source (incl. the individual photographer), please drop a message in my ASK and I'll edit to include the proper citation. For Advanced Statistical Analytic Research: http://dunkofdeath.wordpress.com For General Dopeness: http://sultanofswag.tumblr.com/

[theparquetfloor]

Photographer Mark Seliger

[fyeahbballplayers]

2008 Celtics

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How have I never seen this incredible picture before?

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Len Bias

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Steph Curry, Golden State Warriors (2015 NBA Finals - Game 5)

(Photographer: Ezra Shaw-Getty Images)

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Moses Malone

[sixersnba-blog]

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Allen Iverson, Philadelphia 76ers

[fyeahbballplayers]

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KENYON MARTIN RETIRES

One of the best college players of the last 20 years:

1999-00 Consensus National Player of the Year

Helped Cincinnati to four NCAA Tournament appearances

His senior year: suffered a broken leg during the first game of the conference tournament for then-ranked #1-in-the-nation Cincinnati Bearcats. Consequently, he was kept out of the NCAA Tournament.“

18.9 ppg (57.3% FG), 9.7 reb/gm, 1.4 stl/gm, 3.5 blk/gm in ‘99-00

His #4 was retired by the Cincinnati Bearcats

1st Overall Pick in the 2000 NBA Draft

15 seasons in the NBA

Most notably with Denver (7 years) & New Jersey (4)

1x NBA All-Star (2003-04)

112 playoff games; starting PF for the New Jersey Nets in two NBA Finals

$113 million career salary earnings

(Image via Slam Magazine)

[thegrandarchives]

1971

[thenbashowtime]

After the 2001 Finals Game 4, Jim Gray interviews Kobe…

“I love you Kobe.” - Shaq mumbles as he comes over.

[…interview goes on as usual for a bit…]

“You love him as well?” - Jim asks Kobe.

“Right back at him, man…right back at him.” - Kobe.

"A love fest, who would have ever thought that?” - Jim Gray.

This came after a tumultuous 2000/01 season, where we saw the first Kobe vs. Shaq alpha dog struggle. Before that season, it was clearly Shaq-1, Kobe-2, but with Kobe (22 years old in 2001) averaging 28-6-5  and clearly taking on a bigger role in the Lakers offense it was getting a bit testy between the two.

We all know how it ended, but for at least one night in June, the combo was killing the Sixers and loving it (and each other).

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I love posts like this -- where a blogger tries to zero in on unique moments and argue their significance. A refreshing change from the highlights you normally see trotted out again & again.

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Iguodala & LeBron

[nbafanatic]

What do you think the league will be like after Lebron retires? Who's gonna be the next top dog?

I don’t think that next LeBron or Kobe is even in the league right now! There are some great players in the association but not THAT guy IMO.

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Durant led the league in scoring for five straight seasons & averaged 32 points, 7.4 rebounds and 5.5 assists last year. He's only 26.

Anthony Davis followed a crazy regular season with postseason averages of 31.5 points, 11 rebounds & 3 blocks + 89% from the free throw line. He's only 21.

They take over the league before LeBron retires.

[vintagesportspictures]

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Jack Twyman, Cincinnati Royals (1960)

Basketball Hall of Fame, Class of ‘83

His number (#27) retired by the Sacramento Kings

6x NBA All-Star & 2x All-NBA Second Team

When he retired in 1966, Twyman ranked 4th in career games played (823) & 7th all-time in points (15,840).

Along with teammates Oscar Robertson and Wayne Embry, Twyman forced the 1963 Boston Celtics to 7-games in the Eastern Conference Finals. They lost in spectacular fashion, 142-131

Twyman became the legal guardian of his teammate Maurice Stokes, a talented player who became paralyzed due to a head injury he suffered during a game. Twyman would remain Stokes' guardian and advocate until Stokes died in 1970. (source)

Upon his death in 2012, Sporting News published an articled entitled, “Remembering Jack Twyman, the greatest teammate in the history of the NBA.” A year later, to honor his legacy, the NBA announced that both Twyman and Stokes would be honored with an annual award in their names, the Twyman–Stokes Teammate of the Year Award, which recognizes the player that embodies the league's ideal teammate that season. (source)

[vintagesportspictures]

Boston Celtics player Bill Russell (1956)

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I just came across Vintage Sports Pictures. Really cool stuff there.

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Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls (May 8, 2015)

(via Bleacher Report)

[vanillaspace]

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Allen Iverson, Philadelphia 76ers