Richard Jefferson Mauled Michael Kidd-Gilchrist with a 1-Handed Jam

Richard Jefferson submitted a strong entry into the "Old Man Dunk of the Year" contest Sunday night when he unexpectedly took flight and banished 21-year-old Michael Kidd-Gilchrist from this mortal plane.

Assisted by teammate Devin Harris, the 34-year-old Dallas Mavericks small forward grabbed a dish in transition and left the ground at a very ambitious distance from the rim. Tack on the presence of Kidd-Gilchrist, a young and capable athlete, and it's a wonder he even tried it.

Nonetheless, ball is life and momentum is huge, and Jefferson soared for a monster dunk that left the Charlotte Hornets small forward sprawling on the hardwood.

Vine user kiop (h/t SB Nation's James Dator) uploaded footage of the slam. Referees waved off the basket, but the savagery will endure forever.

Now, it's initially difficult to see where the foul is on this play. At first blush, Jefferson appears to be in the clear. He rises, receives contact and yams on a moving defender. If anything, Kidd-Gilchrist looks guilty of a blocking foul.

However, a closer look at the dunk from another angle shows the problem:

Glenn James/Getty Images

Jefferson says he was surprised by the call.

"In 14 years, even when I could jump like that every day, I don't think I've ever had a ref call an offensive foul like that," Jefferson said, per ESPN's Tim McMahon. "But that's OK, man."

It is unfortunate that Jefferson's dunk didn't translate to points, but the overall message endures: he may be entering prime turtleneck-wearing age, but Jefferson is still the man who baptized Tim Duncan all those years ago.

The Mavericks beat Charlotte 92-81. Try to stay out of Jefferson's way.

Dan is on Twitter, praying for MKG.