Posterized

See also the image-editing technique posterization

North American slang (exact origin unknown) derived from an action in the game of basketball, in which the offensive player "dunks" (see slam dunk) over a defending player in a play that is spectacular and athletic enough to warrant reproduction in a printed poster. The term is also derisive in that when a defending player is "posterized" — he or she is considered to have been humbled, shamed, and exposed as less athletic.

It is speculated that the term first originated during the NBA career (1971–1987) of Hall of Famer Julius Erving, whose explosive style of play gave rise to many commentators shouting "poster" after every dunk he made over a defender. The catchphrase was popularized by Stuart Scott of ESPN's SportsCenter while narrating highlights of NBA games.

One of the best-known examples of a player being posterized occurred during the 2000 Summer Olympics. Vince Carter, playing for Team USA, literally jumped over the 7'2"/2.18 m Frédéric Weis of France on his way to a dunk. Another well-known example was Michael Jordan hitting The Shot over Craig Ehlo to help his Chicago Bulls win a series-clinching playoff game over the Cleveland Cavaliers. For New York Knicks fans, 6'5" John Starks provided a posterized dunk over Michael Jordan (arguably) and Horace Grant during Game 2 of the 1993 Eastern Conference Finals. This play has been coined "The Dunk."

Posterized is also used infrequently to describe dramatic events in other sports.