An Annotated Visual History of the Sam Cassell Dance
In light of Marco Belinelli getting fined $15,000 for doing a feeble rendition of the Sam Cassell / Big Balls Dance near the end of the Bulls’ Game 7 win over the Nets in the first round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs, I did some research.
May 4, 2013: Marco Belinelli
This lackluster effort definitely deserved a fine, though I’m told the penalty was for the celebration itself and not for its poor quality. [Video]
January 14, 2009: Kobe Bryant
Great style, poor timing. Kobe made a late 3-pointer to put the Lakers ahead of the Spurs, only to be topped by a crazy and-1 from who else but Manu Ginobili Tony Parker Tim Duncan… Roger Mason?! [Video]
February 3, 2009: Andre Iguodala
Too soon, part 2. Iggy’s otherwise well-executed dance got spoiled when Ray Allen hit a buzzer beater to lift the Celtics over the 76ers. The Hoop Doctors wrote about this. [Video]
February 11, 2009: Kobe Bryant
The final installment in the Premature Big Balls trilogy. Despite Kobe’s excellent form with the high knees, the Lakers ended up losing to the Jazz. [Video]
January 28, 2011: Josh Smith
Unlike his predecessors, J-Smoove actually grabbed his junk as the Hawks beat the Knicks. For his innovative effort, the league awarded him a $25,000 fine.
January 30, 2011: Eddie House
House was also fined $25,000 after clinching a Heat victory against the Thunder. Please note that coach Erik Spoelstra went with the more conservative / cost-effective / cowardly fist pump. [Video]
2012: Greg Slavin
My mans and ’em said this guy celebrated hard on multiple occasions.
[Footage not found]
April 3, 2013: Kenneth Faried
The Manimal’s new-school interpretation of the age-old celebration drips swag, but dude, you’re on the bench! Courtesy SB Nation.
2004: Sam Cassell
Showing how it’s done. Check out the full court waddle, the extended hold of the arms, the way he contorts his face to look like an alien—oh wait.
1994: Major League II
In closing, I’ll add that Basketbawful and Larry Brown Sports have written about this topic in the past. They both credited Major League II for originating the Big Balls Dance.
3 
