12 Incredible Sports GIFs/Vines You Won't Be Able to Stop Watching

LeBron James' block on Andre Iguodala late in Game 7 of the NBA Finals was breathtaking. Anyone who appreciates imposing, shutdown defense could watch that Vine about 100 times.

The nice thing about GIFs and Vines is they run on loops, so it's easy to sit down and just keep watching them over and over like some type of sports hypnosis.

Here are 12 incredible GIFs/Vines from the recent sports past. And because James came back from a 3-1 series deficit on the Golden State Warriors to win the NBA Finals, he gets two. It's only fair.

LeBron James' Block

The Cleveland Cavaliers took Game 7 against the 73-win Warriors at Oracle Arena in Oakland, California. Sure, it was a team effort—Kyrie Irving averaged 27.1 points per game in the series—but this was James' crowning achievement. And with plays like his fourth-quarter block on Iguodala, he made the phrase "man among boys" seem woefully insufficient.

Lionel Messi's Footwork

It's challenging to hone in on just one incredible piece of Lionel Messi footage, but honoring the man's ball-handling skills seems appropriate. Look at him just toy with a defender during the Copa America tournament. Honorable mention to an absolutely rude nutmeg on the Bolivian goalkeeper.

Phillies Fan Barehands It

This is the guy every baseball fan wants to be. The Philadelphia Phillies fan calmly reeled in a foul ball off the bat of Toronto Blue Jays center fielder Kevin Pillar, barehanded, while holding a baby and without even standing up. Cool as Dwyane Wade's new Gatorade commercial.

Jose Ramirez's Double

This is not so much an incredible play as an incredibly weird play. During a May game against the Houston Astros, Cleveland Indians infielder Jose Ramirez slid into second with a double. The weird part came when he lost his helmet and then miraculously got it back seconds later.

Connor McDavid's Goal

It's probably safe to say Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid lived up to his rookie hype despite missing three months with a collarbone injury. This goal against the Columbus Blue Jackets in February—his first game back—was, frankly, absurd. Or at least that's how he made the defense look.

Russell Westbrook's Circus Bucket

Not to keep ragging on the Warriors, but what in the world was happening with this circus shot from Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook? This Vine has to be watched multiple times just to make sure it's real.

Tiffany Howard's Home Run Robbery

Auburn's Tiffany Howard made possibly the catch of the year in a softball national championship series game against Oklahoma. With her team down one game to none and knotted at seven in the sixth inning of Game 2, Howard's catch was as clutch as they come. Auburn went on to lose the series, but that was one for the ages.

Kris Jenkins' Game-Winner

Sometimes, the moment makes the Vine. Such was the case with Kris Jenkins' stunning buzzer-beater in April. Jenkins drained a three-pointer as time ran out in the college basketball national championship game to beat North Carolina 77-74. That's what March Madness is all about right there.

Clayton Kershaw's Dirty Curve

Clayton Kershaw's stuff is, in a word, filthy. The Los Angeles Dodgers ace dropped a 73-mph curveball in to Adam Duvall of the Cincinnati Reds in May. Not only did Duvall, um, not hit the pitch, but he also lost his helmet in the attempt.

Jonathan Quick's Miracle Save

How in the world did Jonathan Quick make that save? In a March game against the San Jose Sharks, the Los Angeles Kings goaltender brutally denied Sharks center Logan Couture with a stick save you have to see a few times to believe.

LeBron James' Alley-Oop

Stephen Curry got a lot of love this NBA season, and rightfully so. Yet if ever there was a day to give James his due praise, this is it. The NBA Finals MVP reached back into 1987 to grab this pass from Irving and throw it down for a stunning Game 3 alley-oop.

Muhammad Ali Dodging All the Punches

Sure, technically this GIF isn't recent, but it's been brought back to the forefront lately upon the death of legendary boxer Muhammad Ali. Here he is, the original GOAT, dodging 21 punches in 10 seconds like an absolute boss. Seriously, this is mesmerizing—truly, where GIF dreams are made of.