When the world sees a modest gap in the defense, Dwyane Wade sees a runway. When a lane presents itself against the Detroit Pistons in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals, the prolific Miami Heat shooting guard beelines straight into the paint and unleashes a powerful one-handed slam. Wade finished the May 27, 2006 win with 35 points and stamped his ticket to his first NBA Finals.

Dwyane Wade

Dwyane Wade takes off through gap for flush in 2006 Conference Finals

Vintage Rondo! Rajon Rondo of the Los Angeles Lakers flexes his defensive muscle with a beautiful steal before driving the length of the court and dropping the sweet dime to teammate LeBron James for the easy two-handed dunk against the Denver Nuggets during Western Conference Finals action on September 24, 2020.

Rajon Rondo

Rajon Rondo dishes transition dime to trailer in 2020 Conference Finals

Klay Thompson may be one of the most feared shooters in NBA history, but he’s got other facets to his game he can contribute with as well. He showcases one here, leaking out on a fastbreak and facing a drive before dropping off a behind-the-back dish to a teammate for a score. Thompson played an all-around offensive game with 15 points, six assists and three triples in a 130-92 win over the Dallas Mavericks on January 25, 2022.

Klay Thompson

Klay Thompson drops transition dime behind-back for bucket

Knowing when and where to cut is the signature of a seasoned veteran, having the springs to punish the defense with an unexpected hammer is textbook Richard Jefferson. Striking backdoor as his check collapses on teammate LeBron James, Jefferson heads baseline to corral a pass then goes up and under for an emphatic dunk in Game 3 of the NBA Finals. The 16-year vet put up nine points and eight boards in the June 8, 2016 victory over the Golden State Warriors.

Richard Jefferson

Richard Jefferson cuts along baseline for up-and-under flush in 2016 Finals

Get up, Danny! Los Angeles Lakers guard Danny Green throws down the absolutely ridiculous putback slam over the Atlanta Hawks on November 17, 2019.

Danny Green

Danny Green leaps along baseline for putback flush

Los Angeles Lakers center JaVale McGee protects the rim with a big-time block against the Orlando Magic on January 15, 2020.

JaVale McGee

JaVale McGee stands ground to block ferocious Terrence Ross dunk attempt

It’s safe to say that Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is enjoying his new surroundings in the Mile High City. It’s not difficult to understand why, given Caldwell-Pope is now playing with the Denver Nuggets and two-time MVP Nikola Jokić. Against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Jokić is confronted by a double team, forcing the gifted distributor to sling a cross-court bounce pass to Caldwell-Pope in the corner for a triple that would turn into a four-point play. The 10-year veteran was firing on all cylinders, posting 21 points, with six three-pointers, five rebounds and two assists in Denver’s 122-117 win on October 22, 2022.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope queues up in position to bury kickout triple

Donte DiVincenzo knows when to strike. The Milwaukee Bucks wing eyes up a gap against the Toronto Raptors, splits a pair of defenders and attacks the paint for a powerful one-handed slam in a January 27, 2021 victory.

Donte DiVincenzo

Donte DiVincenzo attacks gap in transition for slam

There are plenty of ways that consummate veteran Jrue Holiday can beat you but give him an opportunity to storm down the middle and he’ll take it. The Milwaukee Bucks guard catches the Charlotte Hornets perimeter defense out of position and heads straight to the rim for a one-handed slam over the help-side defense on April 27, 2021.

Jrue Holiday

Jrue Holiday catches defense off guard with poster slam

With a championship on the line, don’t expect Kiah Stokes to welcome you into her domain with open arms. Chasing the trophy is about sacrifice, especially when you are the only one standing between the basket and one of the WNBA’s most imposing frontcourt players. With her Las Vegas Aces holding both a five-point second half lead and 1-0 Finals series advantage, Stokes — making her Top Shot debut — lets her basketball instincts take over with her team getting closer to ultimate glory. Connecticut Sun star forward Jonquel Jones makes her move into the heart of the lane, confidently rising up for a running layup attempt before being met in midair by Stokes, who times her jump perfectly to earn a tide-turning rejection. The Sun never got closer than five points the rest of the game, and Stokes’ gritty two-point, six-rebound, one-assist, one-block effort helped the Aces pull away for an 85-71 victory and 2-0 series lead on September 13, 2022. 

Kiah Stokes

Kiah Stokes protects the paint with rejection in 2022 Finals

When the defense knows you’re money from downtown, any pump fake is a threat. Chicago Sky rookie Dana Evans  dribbles into position at the top of the arc, loses her defender with a juicy ball fake, then rains down a triple in a June 19, 2021 win over the Connecticut Sun.

Dana Evans

Dana Evans gets defender off feet with pumpfake, drains triple

Marketplace

Dwyane Wade

Rajon Rondo

Klay Thompson

Richard Jefferson

Danny Green

Rajon Rondo

JaVale McGee

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope

Donte DiVincenzo

Jrue Holiday

Kiah Stokes

Dana Evans