Most Outrageous Highlight Play from Each NBA Team's Star Player

The NBA is laden with a plethora of human highlight reels who can bring even the most immobile of fans to their feet on any given night.

Despite a lockout-ridden season, there has been no shortage of signature dunks, passes or blocks on the players' part. On an almost daily basis, we are fortunate enough to bear witness to an array of improbable accolades that we won't soon forget.

Whether you love them or hate them, it doesn't matter. Regardless of which side of the fence you stand on, it's impossible to deny the pleasantly outrageous impressions that superstars leave us with.

Atlanta Hawks: Josh Smith

This is not your normal alley-oop score.

Look at the extension Josh Smith gets on his arms. He stretches his hands so far up into the air to catch the ball that his body starts to bend.

And then he finishes.

That's impressive.

Boston Celtics: Rajon Rondo

Rajon Rondo has had his fair share of injury problems this season, but Celtics fans will be happy to know that his superior court vision remains in tact.

On Christmas Day, Rondo nearly lost the ball as he tried to push it in transition. He recovered, though, proceeding to use his left hand to find new teammate Brandon Bass with a no-look pass.

Oh, and he threaded it through traffic.

Not bad for a guy that Boston attempted to trade prior to the start of the season.

Charlotte Bobcats: Kemba Walker

The Bobcats have been a sight that causes sore eyes thus far, but Kemba Walker has managed to inject a shred of excitement into an otherwise mundane roster.

Here, Walker breaks the ankles of fellow rookie Brandon Knight, a sight we became so used to while he was a member of the Huskies.

Just like a commercial in which a pickup truck barrels down a snow covered mountain with style, the announcer advises viewers not to try this at home.

Chicago Bulls: Derrick Rose

Jeff Van Gundy notes Derrick Rose's body control on this incredible reverse layup, but this ridiculous display of athleticism goes further than physical composure.

Even when Rose isn't directly facing the basket, he knows where it is. This awareness allows him to penetrate with reckless abandon, leaving us with plenty of highlights like this one.

Knowing what Rose is capable of, there's a better than good chance he tops this one by season's end.

Cleveland Cavaliers: Kyrie Irving

Kyrie Irving isn't LeBron James, but the comparisons to Chris Paul don't seem too premature after watching moves like this one.

It's not so much the layup itself, but what Irving does to give himself the opportunity to attempt it. He seems to be out of control when he throws the ball behind his back, but keeps his dribble and spins his way toward the basket.

What looked like a turnover became a highlight.

Dallas Mavericks: Dirk Nowitzki

Dirk Nowitzki isn't even on the court for his most outrageous highlight of the season thus far.

Nowitzki explodes on the microphone while on the sidelines watching Jason Terry's alley-oop pass to Brandan Wright.

It's not often that we get a color commentary from Nowitzki, especially one as animated as this one, and cherish it we must.

Denver Nuggets: Nene Hilario

Despite the presence of rising stars Ty Lawson and Danilo Gallinari, Nene Hilario remains Denver's premiere star talent.

Here Nene pump fakes, puts the ball on the floor and then soars through traffic for the one-handed slam.

Nuggets fans are unlikely to forget this one, and the same can arguably be said for Paul Millsap.

Detroit Pistons: Greg Monroe

There aren't many reasons to watch the Pistons this season aside from Greg Monroe's development.

The big man has evolved into a two-way impact player and is turning heads league-wide. Here he dunks on the reigning MVP Derrick Rose, perhaps the only Detroit highlight of that entire game.

And perhaps the last one we will see all season.

Golden State Warriors: Monta Ellis

Stephen Curry is not the star of the Warriors' show, at least not yet. Injuries have hindered what was supposed to be a breakout year and have allowed Monta Ellis to continue to dominate center stage.

This video is actual proof that Ellis doesn't always settle for jump shots. Here he throws down a magnificently powerful one-handed dunk over the bigger, stronger and more volatile Tyrus Thomas.

Apparently there's much more to Ellis than meets the eye. Just ask the Bobcats' newly posterized power forward.

Houston Rockets: Kyle Lowry

As it turns out, it's not against the rules for point guards to block shots.

After a Rockets turnover, Kyle Lowry chases down Jannero Pargo of the Hawks and sends his layup toward the opposite side of the court.

Lowry has been dominating headlines for his efficient passing and excessive scoring, but here he ensures his defense cannot go overlooked.

Unfortunately for Pargo, it came at his expense.

Indiana Pacers: Danny Granger

Roy Hibbert is hot on Danny Granger's heels to become the new face of the Pacers organization, but he isn't there yet.

While the small forward hasn't been shooting well from the field in general, he shows no hesitation here with the shot clock winding down. Granger launches an extremely deep three against the Pistons and buries it.

Despite a woeful shooting display on this particular night, one positive we are able to take away from this is the notion that this man has range.

Los Angeles Clippers: Blake Griffin

Was it a dunk? It doesn't matter.

Whatever Blake Griffin did to put the ball in the basket over the massive Kendrick Perkins is simply incredible. 

As far as human highlight reels, there are few players who measure up to Griffin. He has some help on the setup here from fellow superstar Chris Paul, but it was all him on the highly controversial finish.

For even further effect, check out the same dunk (or almost dunk) with Dirk Nowitzki's voice over.

Los Angeles Lakers: Kobe Bryant

Kobe Bryant doesn't frequent the air as much as he used to, but he proves to Rudy Gay and the rest of the world that there is plenty of hops left in those 33-year-old knees of his.

Bryant's reverse dunk against the Grizzlies was downright nasty. He didn't even begin to spin until he was already airborne and under the basket.

Ever wonder why the Lakers allow Kobe to do what he pleases with the ball, even in his old age?

That's why. 

Memphis Grizzlies: Rudy Gay

The Grizzlies have been experiencing a larger than prescribed dose of struggles this season, but can find solace in knowing Rudy Gay remains as healthy as ever.

Gay cleans up Tony Allen's missed floater with a put back that leaves the backboard shaking and Lakers fans in awe. 

To generate any feelings, other than ill will, on another team's turf when you're not an impending free agent the organization is aspiring to woo over the summer would normally be considered a pipe dream, especially in tinsel town.

Gay's thunderous put back proves otherwise.

Miami Heat: LeBron James

Add John Lucas to the ever growing list of athletes that LeBron James has posterized.

In a matchup against the Bulls that served as a measuring stick for how far the Heat have come, James broke the tension by leaping over Lucas entirely on his way to a one-handed alley-oop jam.

Jumping over a car during a slam dunk contest is impressive, but clearing a human being in a game situation is just as noteworthy, if not more.

Milwaukee Bucks: Brandon Jennings

Brandon Jennings has really stepped his game up in the absence of Andrew Bogut.

The oft-inconsistent point guard is not only taking higher percentage shots, he's creating plays in ways that few believed him to be capable of.

Here, Jennings enacts some fancy dribbling and footwork to place himself deep in the paint, creating an easy lay-in opportunity for Drew Gooden.

Watch it at least twice. It's worth a plethora of looks.

Minnesota Timberwolves: Kevin Love

To be fair, it was definitely a team effort here, but Kevin Love's ability to throw down the alley-oop pass from Rick Rubio while soaring nearly behind the backboard is incredible.

Love is known for his rebounding and scoring prowess, but he has begun to make a name for himself as a powerful dunker. He has exhibited a level of athleticism we have not been privy to before, and is showing why David Kahn negotiated himself a bargain on Love's latest contract extension.

The Timberwolves have quietly created a lob city of their own, and while Rubio's court vision makes him a predictable candidate for half of the city's population, Love's emergence has been quite a surprise.

New Jersey Nets: Deron Williams

Deron Williams has had more than his fair share of struggles this season, but anyone watching soon forgets all about them as he dunks over Indiana's Roy Hibbert.

Williams drives through the lane and takes flight without hesitation, and finishes with a stuff on the Pacers' center.

And in case you're wondering, yes, Hibbert stands at 7'2" to Williams' 6'3".

New Orleans Hornets: Carl Landry

With Eric Gordon watching from the sidelines, Carly Landry's name is the most recognizable one on a battered Hornets team.

Here Landry throws down a one-handed reverse dunk on Denver's Chris Andersen. He waits for traffic to clear, faces up on Andersen and rides the baseline to the other side of the basket.

Did you know Landry had such athleticism in him? Because the Hornets sure as hell didn't.

New York Knicks: Carmelo Anthony

Greg Monroe has done some posterizing of his own, but he finds himself on the wrong side of the picture this time around, courtesy of Carmelo Anthony.

Anthony is known for his ability to put up points, but not this way. He takes flight and soars right into the 6'11" Monroe, finishing with a one-handed monster slam.

Say what you will about Anthony, but this dunk is undeniably one of the best we have seen so far this season.

Oklahoma City Thunder: Kevin Durant

Kevin Durant took serious flight off this behind the back pass from Russell Westbrook. 

While Durant is the league's most automatic scorer, he has never made a name for himself as a high-flyer, rendering this display of hops even more impressive.

Not only does this outrageously emphatic dunk serve as an example of how deep Durant's talent runs, but it also should squash any remaining banter that states Westbrook and Durant cannot coexist. 

Orlando Magic: Dwight Howard

We haven't seen Dwight Howard fly through the air with such grace since he won the 2008 Slam Dunk competition.

Howard is known for his monstrous dunks, but this reverse slam has a touch of finesse to it. He looks as if he is floating under the basket as he spins around for the two-handed jam.

Taking an extended flight while maintaining such minimal distance between you and the hardwood is difficult for someone Howard's size, yet he makes it look almost effortless.

Howard has been scrutinized all season for his potential divorce from the Magic, but even the most pessimistic of viewers would be hard pressed to find something to criticize here. 

Philadelphia 76ers: Andre Iguodala

Andre Iguodala is as unselfish as they come, so unlike JaVale McGee, there should be no qualms about him dishing out an assist to himself.

Iguodala's self-help dunk is also much more impressive than McGee's because it wasn't executed in the open court, but instead, through traffic.

That takes guts. Strike that, it takes balls.

Phoenix Suns: Steve Nash

Steve Nash has over 8,000 assists and at times it seems that more than half of them have come this season.

Here Nash splits the defenders, literally. He threads a bounce pass between the legs of Dante Cunningham to find Hakim Warrick for an easy two.

No big deal, just Nash being Nash.

Portland Trail Blazers: LaMarcus Aldridge

You have to love a big man who knows how to trail a play, mostly because there are so few of them who do.

LaMarcus Aldridge follows Raymond Felton's lead perfectly, as if he expected the hesitation dribble. He then proceeds to accept the feed and throw down a one-handed slam.

Aldridge is one of the smartest players in the game, and here he proves he knows what it takes to finish any kind of offensive scheme he finds himself in.

Sacramento Kings: Tyreke Evans

Widespread panic ensued after Tyreke Evans' less than embraceable start to the season, but the point guard has since shown plantar fasciitis will not be the end of him.

Evans has completely silenced critics and has emerged as the unquestioned leader of an inexperienced Kings squad. If you doubt such a fact, take a look at him running the distance to throw down a Statue of Liberty style dunk in the face of traffic.

The 22-year-old Evans stands at 6'6", but as he takes flight and his vertical span reveals itself, he appears taller than and just as powerful as Dwight Howard.

That's outrageous. 

San Antonio Spurs: Tony Parker

San Antonio is not a team that is going to exhibit an Oklahoma City like flair. It just isn't their style. However, that doesn't prevent Tony Parker from creating a highlight reel once in a while.

Here Parker throws up a perfectly placed alley-oop pass to Richard Jefferson, from beyond the three-point line no less. His pass leads Jefferson past two defenders and made for an exciting finish.

The Spurs are aging fast, but they aren't ready to leave the spotlight just yet. Parker has made sure of that.

Toronto Raptors: DeMar DeRozan

There has been little to get excited about if you're a Raptors fan, especially in Andrea Bargnani's absence, but DeMar DeRozan has remained a bright spot.

The 22-year-old shooting guard is not having a career season in terms of statistics, but he does provide a certain level of fire on offense that has a tendency to help inspire his teammates. His running dunk against the Cavaliers was especially impressive, as he took flight through traffic to slam it home.

The NBA dubbed this heightened display of athleticism the dunk of the night, a fitting achievement for such an emphatic slam. 

Utah Jazz: Al Jefferson

Credit Jamaal Tinsley with a great pass, but credit Al Jefferson with exceptional awareness as well.

Jefferson has not had the luxury of playing next to premiere point guards this season, so the fact that he knew to expect a pass even though Tinsley's head was turned elsewhere is an understated accomplishment.

To cap off the savvy play, Jefferson throttles the ball home with one hand.

Washington Wizards: John Wall

With the amount of time John Wall spends in the air, it's clear that he is the Blake Griffin of the backcourt.

Wall throws one down in the face of the 6'11" Greg Stiemsma in a manner which can only be described as spectacular. He shows absolutely no hesitation as Stiemsma goes up to contest the shot, and the end result becomes one of the best finishes we have seen all season.

Wall then proceeded to receive a technical foul for perhaps the tamest form of taunting there is, but while the referees could ruin his parade, the dunk itself holds more than a lasting impression. 

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