Even the best get stuffed sometiiiiimes
Chase-down blocks come in all sizes and flavors, but tend to share a couple common qualities.
The first and most important is momentum—two bodies moving rapidly with intent toward a common space. The other is calamity, and grown men having to take a cold shower to forget the embarassment just visited upon them in public.
Because there are few things worse in life than rising confidently to the occasion and getting jacked by some dude who arrived late and took a wild swing, it's as horrifying to the blocked as it is thrilling to the swatter.
The following are 25 pictures of exquisitely horrifying, chase-down blocks—a game-changing play that has become a staple of both the NBA and American politics in 2016.
Sometimes you think you had it. Sometimes you get blocked.
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R.I.P. L.O.L.
The look of a man who knows life in general is different now.
Jamaal Magloire catches Antonio Davis
“Air Almost.”
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Serge Ibaka gets James Harden
Not complete without James Harden's trademark “concerned he left the oven on” look.
Shammond Williams chases down Bonzi Wells
Bonzi. Oh Bonzi, Bonzi, Bonzi.
K-Love meets the other Kiri
Andrei Kirilenko looks like if death could get pissed off.
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LeBronathon Blockwell
You just visit the chasedown blocks. LeBron James was born in transition shot-spanking, molded by it.
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A wild Ben Wallace appeared
Chris Wilcox had neither the separation or bunnies to deal with this level of Rock Pokemon.
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Avery Bradley: two-way ninja
Jeff Teague enters the 36 Chambers of Welp.
– The Boston GlobeBoston Globe via Getty Images
Drummond gets Drummon'd
Thomas Robinson's reach-over block on Andre Drummond is like the basketball version of making someone listen to their own voice.
Flight of the Duncans
Udonis Haslem having his final safe space taken from him.
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Shark Attack
If you're on a basketball court with LeBron James and hear the Jaws theme as you drive toward the rim, bail.
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Kawhi Leonard swipes Eric Bledsoe
An effective demonstration of Kawhi 2.0's state-of-the-art guard filtering defensive protocols.
Spirit of the Basketball Forest
If there are basketball gods (there are), and they had a secret hoop-tree in the forest in which all their secrets lived, the spirit warrior you would have to score on to unlock these mysteries would be a glorious, semi-transparent Anthony Davis.
Just my beliefs.
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Up and Under and Oh No
Eric Montross (right) enforces heavy roller-coaster height requirements on Chris Mills (left), and neither slept that night for different reasons (yup).
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LeBron James pins Tayshaun Prince
Tay…these broken wingssss…and learn to fly agaaaain.
Sorry.
Volleyball
Serge Ibaka will be the second spirit warrior of the hoop tree if security is deemed lax.
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LeBron James chases Earl Clark up the mountain
Somehow, LeBron James' willingness to put on hiking boots and climb Kilimanjaro every night in transition has only increased with age.
Nene erases Beno Udrih
“No no.” — bad Nene block celebration.
YOU SHALL NOT GLASS
The kind of block that ends in the afflicted on Amazon searching for night lights with free two-day shipping.
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The Bron Bron Cometh
LeBron chased down blocked the Warriors in the 2016 Finals like there was a prop bet saying he wouldn't.
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Brodie No
Pictured: Ryan Hollins capturing a velociraptor.
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That's not even possible
Derrick Rose was truly baffled to shoot, land and turn to see someone else was still up there, messing with his preparations.
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Josh Smith erases Paul Millsap
Paul Millsap: an extremely well-rounded hybrid big who moves well in space—a vital and unique piece to any team.
Josh Smith: LEROOYYYY
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Championship fallen
One of my personal favorites, and probably the greatest sports photo of 2016.
Le Swat
The block that changed everything and kept a dynasty in wait from taking the next step.
To this day, Andre Iguodala can't be around electric fly zappers because it takes him back to this moment.
Dan is on Twitter chasing down #actuallys.
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