Jordan’s shrug. Dikembe’s finger wag. Melo’s three to the dome.
The NBA has had more iconic celebrations than perhaps any other professional sports league. Nearly every superstar has put together some iconic celebration. Some do it habitually, like Carmelo Anthony’s three to the dome. Some do it spontaneously and then never again, like Jordan’s shrug.
The best part about these celebrations, though, is the fan experience. Whether it’s a kid at the playground hoop imitating Steph Curry’s “night night” or a grown man celebrating his sports betting wins online, we never grow out of our love for celebrations.
Here’s a collection of some of the best celebrations from active NBA players.
LeBron’s “The Silencer”
Making its debut in March 2013, the Silencer is one of the most iconic celebrations in the sport’s history. What makes it cooler, perhaps, is that LeBron has only brought it out a handful of times in his career. Whether it was after a 27-point come-from-behind victory or a go-ahead three with 30 seconds left in the fourth, LeBron saves this one for the most timely of moments.
Damian Lillard’s “Dame Time”
When your celebration is an earmark of your reputation for being incredible in the clutch, you’ve done something right. Dame is so good down the stretch, in fact, that his nickname has become synonymous with the celebration. Dame Time isn’t just pointing at the watch— it’s a mindset that strikes legitimate fear into the opposing defense.
Malik Beasley’s “Shimmy”
One of the few non-stars on this list, Malik Beasley’s three-point celebration falls somewhere between a dance and hip gyrations.
The sharpshooter is 2nd in the entire league in made threes this season and has brought the shimmy to a whole another level. He’s also brought his team to a postseason birth alongside star guard Cade Cunningham. The Pistons are a near-lock to finish with a top-six seed in the east according to Stake.com, which means we get to see some playoff shimmies out of Beasley.
Trae Young’s “Ice Trae”
The NBA’s biggest villain’s signature celebration is a play on his nickname “Ice Trae”. Whenever he comes up big in the clutch, especially in Madison Square Garden, you can expect Trae to pull this one out.
Kevin Durant’s “Too Small”
The “too small” celebration isn’t unique to Kevin Durant, but the way he does it is just so disrespectful. While most players gesture their hand toward the floor, KD pinches his fingers together in the most hilarious way possible. It’s hard to imagine how demoralizing it is to have one of the most unguardable players of all time make that gesture after a big-time bucket.
Russell Westbrook’s “Rock the Baby”
Brodie’s “rock the baby” is another celebration that just demoralizes the opponent. One might even consider retirement after getting dunked on by a prime Russell Westbrook, only to turn around and see him proverbially cradling you like an infant.
James Harden’s “Nosebleed”
Brought back just a few weeks ago, Harden’s fake nosebleed celebration may have confused younger NBA fans, as it is an ode to his days in Houston.
Perhaps fans are more familiar with Harden’s “cooking” celebration, which he also brought back this season.
Jordan Poole’s “Drowning in the Poole.”
Debuted just this season, Poole’s creative spin on his last name is as original as it is entertaining.
Brook Lopez’s “Smoking the Three”
The Lopez brothers are no strangers to eccentricity. Whether it’s the Toy Story dinosaur he rubs for good luck at the scorer’s table or wrestling opposing mascots, Brook has quite an affinity for the unusual. It makes sense, then, that his signature celebration is just as unique as the rest of him.
Mikal Bridges “Pew Pew”
https://twitter.com/BleacherReport/status/1900050263257604587
As long as it’s not Ja Morant doing the gun celebration, the league doesn’t mind.
D’Angelo Russell’s “Ice in My Veins”
D’Lo is one of those guys who’s never seen a shot he didn’t like. The redeeming part of this absurd confidence, though, is coming up big in the clutch. Especially early in his career, D’Angelo Russell had a knack for hitting some big-time shots in crunch time, when he proceeded to point to his ice-cold veins.
Jamal Murray’s “Blue Arrow”
The “Blue Arrow” was a nickname earned by Jamal Murray in his time at Kentucky, where this celebration was born. He’s done it less and less since his college days, but you know Murray is on a heater when the bow and arrow come out.
Jalen Brunson’s “I just don’t know what that is”
The NBA betting favorite for Clutch Player of the Year has a 3-point celebration that many commentators can’t quite figure out.
Steph Curry’s “Night Night”
Steph’s “night night” celebration in the Olympic Gold Medal game last summer is now cemented in the minds of millions of basketball fans worldwide. A fan and player favorite, the night-night may be the celebration that has the best chance of living on into the next generations.
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