As much as athletes’ on-court performances and star power are vital to professional sports leagues’ success, leagues often develop their own cultures which attract just as many fans to the sport. In the NBA, there are many facets of that culture: players’ signature shoes, their outfits, their often-controversial personal lives, and their press statements, among many others. However, none of these are as iconic as the league’s celebrations, which have persisted for decades as part of what makes the league so appealing to its viewers. Long after an NBA season has ended, and long after the championship trophy is clutched in the hands of its victors, YouTube footage and Instagram posts will keep vintage celebrations fresh in fans’ memories. From LeBron James’ “Silencer’’ to Lance Stephenson’s air guitar, these celebrations can be both amusing and fierce, both exultant and corny. They hold a special appeal among fans and players alike, as children imitate their favorite player’s celebrations on driveways and backyards across the world. Here are my top five favorite celebrations, ranked.
5. Sam Cassell: Big Balls Dance
Cassell first used the celebration in 1994 after hitting a clutch shot for the Bucks, and the dance, involving a player cupping their hands below their crotch, soon became popular amongst some of the league’s premier crunch-time scorers (Kobe Bryant) and some of its least prolific (Marco Belinelli). However, the NBA began to crack down on the dance in the 2010s, instating a $25,000 fine for players who used it during a game. After the fine, use of the celebration decreased dramatically, with one exception being LeBron James in 2021.
4. Dikembe Mutombo: Finger Wag
Although Mutombo has been retired for over a decade, his signature celebration remains popular across all levels of basketball today. After blocking an opponent’s shot, the 7-foot-2 center would shake his finger as if scolding a child, which was another way of telling them, “Not in my house”. The celebration became even more iconic after Mutombo joked with Michael Jordan that he had never dunked over him. After finally posterizing Mutombo, Jordan put an exclamation point on the dunk by wagging his finger at him.
3. Stephen Curry: Night Night
Curry broke out the celebration in the 2022 playoffs and was able to use it often after burying clutch shots as he led the Warriors on a title run. After sealing an opponent’s fate with a dagger step-back three, Curry would run back on defense while placing his hands on the side of his face as if he was sleeping, or putting the other team to bed. The celebration instantly went viral on social media, and athletes such as Andrew McCutchen (Pittsburgh Pirates) and Ousmane Dembele (FC Barcelona) used the celebration in similar fashion.
2. Kevin Durant: Too Tiny
The most elusive celebration on this list, with only two appearances ever, is Durant’s “too tiny” gesture. After shooting a trademark midrange two against the Knicks over the smaller Evan Fournier, he pinched his fingers together as he backpedaled down the floor, signaling that Fournier was too small to stand a chance against him. Durant broke out the celebration again later that season after scoring against future teammate Royce O’Neale of the Jazz. While many players use the “too small” celebration, holding a hand level near the ground to indicate their opponent’s height, Durant’s unique celebration deserves a standout mention.
1. D’Angelo Russell: Ice in My Veins
A rookie D’Angelo Russell introduced the world to this celebration after a dagger three in 2016, and he hasn’t stopped since, consistently using it in crunch-time and even implementing it into his handshake with LeBron James during his second Lakers stint. Russell lands at the top spot the creativity and entertainment factor of his celebration, especially as he led a fun upstart Nets team to a playoff berth during the 2018–19 season.