Video: Tyson Chandler blocks Marreese Speights' shoe

The box score for Mavericks center Tyson Chandler read "0 blocks" on Saturday, but that's only because the official scorekeeper tracks blocked shots, not blocked shoes. 

Golden State's 105-98 road victory over Dallas produced a hilarious, unusual rejection when Chandler swatted a shoe belonging to MarreeseSpeights as it was being passed to the Warriors forward by Stephen Curry.

With a little under five minutes remaining in the third quarter, Speights lost his shoe on a dribble move near the free-throw line, causing Curry to throw it back to midcourt so that it wouldn't get in the way of Golden State's offensive possession. That move didn't really work, as Curry later threw a bad pass and the action went the other way, forcing Speights to play the next defensive possession with only one shoe.

Despite Speights' handicap, the Mavericks were unable to score, and Curry then retrieved Speights' shoe as the action came back up the court. As he attempted to dish the shoe to his teammate -- a true assist -- Chandler stepped in and batted the shoe with his left hand towards the sideline seats. Both Curry and Speights protested and play continued until Dallas gave a foul on the perimeter. The American Airlines Center crowd roared with approval at Chandler's swat. 

Here's another look.

This seems to be a case of the 7-foot-1 Chandler doing what comes naturally to him, a la shot-blocking extraordinaire Dikembe Mutombo, whose commitment to blocking anything and everything was highlight by a Geico Insurance ad in 2013.

In case you were wondering, Chandler has registered 1,154 blocks during his 14-year career, placing the 2012 Defensive Player of the Year in the top 10 among players who are currently on NBA rosters. 

Chandler finished with 11 points (on 3-for-6 shooting) and 12 rebounds against Golden State. Monta Ellis led Dallas with a team-high 24 points (on 8-for-22 shooting) and five assists.

Curry scored a game-high 29 points (on 9-for-22 shooting) and dished eight assists. Klay Thompson added 25 points (on 10-for-21 shooting), five rebounds and three assists in the win.

Golden State improved to 20-2. Dallas dropped to 17-8.

Hat tip: Eye on Basketball | Vine via Michael Gallagher | Bottom video by AllSuperAdverts