The 25 Most Vicious Rejections in NBA History

With the 2013-14 NBA season now underway, some of the year's best highlight material in sports finally starts rolling in. As each game unfolds, we'll see some nasty throwdowns, eye-popping alley-oops, no-look passes, and, yes, some of the most savage rejections we've ever laid eyes upon. During the 2012-13 seasn, we got to see LeBron have his way against Tiago Splitter in the NBA Finals, as well as Roy Hibbert in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals when he took down Carmelo at the rim.

But who will be this year's biggest victim? Only time will tell on that one, but we can guarantee you that if it looks like any of the swats we've seen in the past, then it won't be pretty. To show you guys who these future victims will be joining in the history books, we put together the The 25 Most Vicious Rejections in NBA History. Who do you think dished out the nastiest denial? Shaq or Dikembe? Shannon Brown or Nate Robinson? Take a look for yourself, and let us know in the comments.

RELATED: The 50 Greatest Ankle-Breakers in NBA History
RELATED: The 25 Best Facial Dunks in NBA History

Victim: Michael Jordan
Date: 2/4/1996
Game: Bulls @ Nuggets

Is this an early audition tape for Dikembe Mutombo's GEICO commercial, or did MJ actually think that he could get to the rim on these?

Victim: Mario West
Date: 2/17/2009
Game: Hawks @ Lakers

This is honestly the only thing that anyone will remember Mario West by. That has to hurt.

Victim: Allen Iverson
Date: 1/4/1998
Game: Sixers @ Lakers

Shaq was having absolutely no part of a weak-ass shot like this. Yeah, it may have been ruled a goaltend, but he sends it into the crowd here. This was Shaq's raw power at its best.

Victim: Latrell Sprewell
Date: 12/22/1992
Game: Warriors @ Suns

Get blocked once, Latrell, shame on him. Get blocked twice? Shame on you.

Victim: Rajon Rondo
Date: 11/21/2009
Game: Magic @ Celtics

Word is Dwight Howard watches this video every time his back starts flaring up again and just starts weeping.

Victim: Tony Parker
Date: 2/11/2007
Game: Spurs @ Heat

Alright, if there's anything that's going to get Way of Wade thing going, it's more plays like this.

Victim: Kobe Bryant
Date: 12/19/2008
Game: Lakers @ Heat

Udonis Haslem is forever on Kobe's blacklist. The Mamba never forgets, Udonis. Never.

Victim: Rajon Rondo
Date: 10/27/2009
Game: Celtics @ Cavs

Is this one of the reasons that Rondo is so damn surly all of the time? We know that it hurts to get rejected this badly, Rajon, but you've gotta let it go, man.

Victim: Brian Davis
Date: 12/26/1993
Game: T'Wolves @ Nuggets

LaPhonso Ellis pulls off the Javale McGee before Javale McGee pulled off the Javale McGee. More on that later...

Victim: John Starks
Date: 6/19/1994
Game: Knicks @ Rockets, Game 6, NBA Finals

It might not qualify as "vicious," but in terms of big-time playoff moments, Hakeem Olajuwon takes the cake here, without a doubt.

Victim: LeBron James
Date: 5/28/2009
Game: Magic @ Cavs, Game 5, Eastern Conference Finals

Anytime you can deny an absolute beast like LeBron James, you deserve some recognition for it. Gortat definitely has this moment framed in his house.

Victim: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Date: Unknown
Game: Bucks @ Lakers

Kareem may have been one of the greatest centers of all time, but Wilt wasn't afraid to let him know who was top dog in the league when Kareem tried to get fancy on him with the skyhook. Trying it twice in a row, Kareem? Bold.

Victim: Tyson Chandler
Date: 3/16/2008
Game: Hornets @ Pistons

You had the alley, Tyson. You just forgot the oop.

Victim: Hakeem Olajuwon
Date: 4/27/2002
Game: Pistons @ Raptors, Game 3, Eastern Conference First Round

Ben Wallace may have only checked in at 6'9", but people forget that he was an absolutely savage defender during his days with the Pistons (four-time Defensive Player of the Year). Any time you can get one on Hakeem the Dream, you know you're doing something right.

Victim: Rod Strickland
Date: 4/29/1994
Game: Trail Blazers @ Rockets, Game 1, Western Conference First Round

You never had a chance, Rod. Not when Olajuwon is on the court.

Victim: Ron Mercer
Date: 1/4/2002
Game: Bulls @ Wizards

Even when he was past his prime, MJ could still remind us every now and then about what made him the greatest. Ron Mercer definitely couldn't forget.

Victim: Wesley Matthews
Date: 3/23/2011
Game: Wizards @ Trail Blazers

Do you see the way that Javale McGee handles this thing? It's like he's cradling a child in his arms. Or Wesley's dignity.

Victim: Yao Ming
Date: 11/20/2006
Game: Rockets @ Knicks

The ultimate example of how soft Yao was at times during his days in the league. A 5'9" guard has absolutely no business blocking a 7'5" center. Ever.

Victim: Jason Richardson
Date: 3/12/2009
Game: Cavs @ Suns

C'mon, J-Rich. When it's a two-point game in the fourth quarter, the last thing you should be doing is trying to get flashy. Just put it in the basket next time, dude.

Victim: Michael Jordan
Date: Unknown
Game: Magic @ Bulls

Any block on MJ already has a good shot at making this list, but Shaq blocking MJ? Say no more.

Victim: Yao Ming
Date: 11/14/2013
Game: Spurs @ Rockets

Yao had a nice career in his own right, but the Big Fundamental always made sure to show him who was boss in the West when the two met up. Who the f*ck said Timmy was boring!? Oh wait.

Victim: David Robinson
Date: 3/2/1999
Game: Spurs @ Rockets

Once again, Hakeem shows David Robinson what's up. The Dream is without a doubt of the best all-around centers to ever grace the hardwood.

Victim: Carmelo Anthony
Date: 5/18/2013
Game: Knicks @ Pacers, Game 6, Eastern Conference Finals

Game 6 during the Eastern Conference Finals. No better time to come up with a big block than now. And no worse time to get completely rejected either. Sorry, Melo.

Victim: Reggie Miller
Date: 5/24/2004
Game: Pistons @ Pacers, Game 2, Eastern Conference Finals

This is one of the greatest defensive plays of all time, period. You gotta dunk that shit, Reggie!

Victim: Tiago Splitter
Date: 6/9/2013
Game: Spurs @ Heat, Game 2, NBA Finals

Tiago Splitter should've just left the country after this one. A ridiculous defensive play on the biggest stage. Remember when people said The King wasn't clutch?