Threads / Top 10 All-Time Slam Dunk Contest Dunks (Videos Inside)
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With less than a week until the NBA Sprite Slam Dunk contest, it's time to get excited for one of the better All-Star events in sports. From here, I present to you the top 10 dunks in slam dunk contest history. Of course, this is all just my opinion so please share yours if you disagree. Also, be sure to check out my 6 honorable mentions for showmanship after my top 10. Let the debates begin.
10. Terence Stansbury's Statue of Liberty dunk (1987)
He didn't win the contest, and many basketball fans have probably never even heard his name, but this was an incredibly difficult dunk. Stansbury pulled off a full 360, holding the ball in one hand throughout. To this day, the Statue of Liberty dunk is still remembered and emulated by many.
9. Spud Webb's bounce/reverse dunk (1986)
A dunk that might be considered ordinary if done today, but the glaringly impressive fact about this dunk is Spud Webb's height. At a diminutive 5 feet 7 inches and just 133 pounds, Webb shocked the basketball world, and legendary defending champion Dominique Wilkins, with this dunk. It earned a perfect 50 score and was enough to propel Webb past Wilkins for a 100-98 win in the final round. Webb remains the shortest player to win the contest, not to mention one of the shortest players in NBA history. Automatic inclusion on this list for the reasons above.
8. Desmond Mason's show it right, dunk it left (2003)
The contest has had more than its share of between the leg dunks, but this one stands above most of the rest for two reasons. One, he holds the ball up to the rim before putting it through his legs, and two, he dunks it with his left hand. The flawless delivery of such a dunk and the incredible hang time earn this a spot on my top 10 list.
7. Nate Robinson dunks over Spud Webb (2006)
At a listed height of 5'9, Robinson's entry into the 2006 contest brought back flashbacks of Spud Webb. Rather than standing in the shadow of Webb's legendary performance, Robinson found a way to build on it. Including Webb in his final dunk, Robinson took a bounce pass from Webb, caught it, and jumped over his head...without kicking Webb in the face.
6. Josh Smith takes alley-oop from Kenyon Martin in a chair and jumps over him (2005)
Last jumping over player dunk you'll see on this list, I promise. I listed this for two reasons. 1) Smith's dunk came a year before Robinson's, and to my knowledge, was the first of its kind. 2) The dunk itself was more impressive. The pump in the air and hang time put this over the top, and the judges agreed, giving Smith a perfect 50. He went on to win the contest that year.
5. Andre Iguodala's behind the glass reverse dunk (2006)
This dunk was overshadowed by Nate Robinson's Spud Webb dunk that same night, but it's one of my favorite dunks of all-time. Iggy takes it from AI off the back of the backboard and slams home a reverse dunk from underneath. When you watch the replay, you'll see that he even had to duck to prevent his head from hitting the backboard. This is one of the most skillfully executed dunks I've seen in the history of the contest.
4. Michael Jordan's free throw line dunk (1988)
This is the one that most remember him by. Dribbling from the other end of the court, Jordan lifts off from the free throw line (so he steps over by a bit, but do we really care?) and floats to the hoop. This dunk redefined hang time and won his airness a second straight contest.
3. Jason Richardson's bounce reverse between the legs (2003)
I don't think my description could do it any justice. Watch for yourself...
2. Vince Carter's off the floor and between the legs dunk (2000)
A classic dunk, and one that many call their favorite of all-time. When we get this low on the list, it's really a matter of personal preference as this dunk (and any of the top 4 for that matter) are truly as good as it gets. The 2000 was one of the most competitive in the history of the contest. Tracy McGrady and Steve Francis both put on classic performances, earning 99 and 95 points in the final round respectively...but Carter owned in 2000, with two "50s" in the final round. Here's the one that still has people talking.
1. Jason Richardson's off the backboard between the legs dunk (2004)
Narrowing down the last few is something I could spend all day going back and forth about, but I find myself remembering this one more than any. Richardson blew a later dunk in the final round and didn't win this contest, so this dunk may not get the recognition it would have had he won; but this dunk takes the cake in my book. Off the backboard, caught, and between the legs. Kenny Smith calls it the best he's ever seen, and I have to agree with the Jet. Watch and enjoy.
Bonus: 6 More of My Favorites (but just for showmanship):
6. Dee Brown's no look dunk (1991)
This dunk wouldn't seem like anything special today, but it was a big deal in 1991. It was one of the first major displays of creativity and showmanship, and it led many others to follow in years to come. Brown introduced his final dunk by fully pumping up his Reebok pumps, then proceeding to deliver a no look dunk with his left hand. The crowd loved it and the basketball world was abuzz after this dunk.
5. Dwight Howard's sticker dunk (2007)
Sure, he's a 7 footer, but look at how high Howard places this sticker on the backboard. 12 feet, 6 inches high. I've never seen that in my life.
4. Vince Carter's elbow dunk (2000)
In this dunk, the second most memorable of his 2000 campaign, Carter gets up so high that he hangs from the rim with his elbow. This dunk has made many best-ever lists, but I didn't include it in my top 10 because the field was crowded, and because Kobe Bryant had already done it two years earlier in a non slam dunk contest setting. Here's Vince's, along with a clip of Kobe's in 1998 below it.
3. Gerald Green's cupcake dunk (2008)
While Dwight Howard won last year's contest, mostly on the merits of his Superman dunk, I think Green's dunk was the best of the contest since Howard technically threw the ball into the hoop (which most likely wasn't intentional), and I think it was more of a happy accident. Green, on the other hand, delivered what'd seem like an ordinary dunk at first glance, but was an incredible display of showmanship and equally impressive. Green placed a cupcake above the rim and blew it out during his dunk. The replay reveals just how impressive this dunk was. To have gotten his head high enough to pull this off is a feat in and of itself. The candle clearly dies before the dunk in the replay and you can see him blowing it out. Had this dunk been delivered in the final round, he probably could've won the contest; but for some reason he chose to come out with it first. Kind of anticlimactic, but still a classic in my book.
2. Dwight Howard's Superman Dunk.
I'm sure it's still fresh in your memory (how could it not be?) so the novelty's lower than it'd be 10 or 20 years from now, but like it or not, this dunk was an NBA classic. I personally felt it was overrated, but it brought a crowd to its feet in a way that rarely happens. Clearly, the showmanship was there and Howard deserves credit where it's due.
1. Steve Nash's header to Amare Stoudemire (2005)
Just as much credit should be given to Steve Nash for the execution of this dunk, so it's not all about the dunking abilities...but it's still one of the most fun I've ever seen.
It was hard to leave out some classic names from the 80s like Nique and Dr. J, not to mention some names who shaped the 90s (Isiah Rider, Shawn Kemp, Harold Miner), but I only had room for 10. Let's hope this year's contest makes next year's list even harder for me to make!
10. Terence Stansbury's Statue of Liberty dunk (1987)
He didn't win the contest, and many basketball fans have probably never even heard his name, but this was an incredibly difficult dunk. Stansbury pulled off a full 360, holding the ball in one hand throughout. To this day, the Statue of Liberty dunk is still remembered and emulated by many.
9. Spud Webb's bounce/reverse dunk (1986)
A dunk that might be considered ordinary if done today, but the glaringly impressive fact about this dunk is Spud Webb's height. At a diminutive 5 feet 7 inches and just 133 pounds, Webb shocked the basketball world, and legendary defending champion Dominique Wilkins, with this dunk. It earned a perfect 50 score and was enough to propel Webb past Wilkins for a 100-98 win in the final round. Webb remains the shortest player to win the contest, not to mention one of the shortest players in NBA history. Automatic inclusion on this list for the reasons above.
8. Desmond Mason's show it right, dunk it left (2003)
The contest has had more than its share of between the leg dunks, but this one stands above most of the rest for two reasons. One, he holds the ball up to the rim before putting it through his legs, and two, he dunks it with his left hand. The flawless delivery of such a dunk and the incredible hang time earn this a spot on my top 10 list.
7. Nate Robinson dunks over Spud Webb (2006)
At a listed height of 5'9, Robinson's entry into the 2006 contest brought back flashbacks of Spud Webb. Rather than standing in the shadow of Webb's legendary performance, Robinson found a way to build on it. Including Webb in his final dunk, Robinson took a bounce pass from Webb, caught it, and jumped over his head...without kicking Webb in the face.
6. Josh Smith takes alley-oop from Kenyon Martin in a chair and jumps over him (2005)
Last jumping over player dunk you'll see on this list, I promise. I listed this for two reasons. 1) Smith's dunk came a year before Robinson's, and to my knowledge, was the first of its kind. 2) The dunk itself was more impressive. The pump in the air and hang time put this over the top, and the judges agreed, giving Smith a perfect 50. He went on to win the contest that year.
5. Andre Iguodala's behind the glass reverse dunk (2006)
This dunk was overshadowed by Nate Robinson's Spud Webb dunk that same night, but it's one of my favorite dunks of all-time. Iggy takes it from AI off the back of the backboard and slams home a reverse dunk from underneath. When you watch the replay, you'll see that he even had to duck to prevent his head from hitting the backboard. This is one of the most skillfully executed dunks I've seen in the history of the contest.
4. Michael Jordan's free throw line dunk (1988)
This is the one that most remember him by. Dribbling from the other end of the court, Jordan lifts off from the free throw line (so he steps over by a bit, but do we really care?) and floats to the hoop. This dunk redefined hang time and won his airness a second straight contest.
3. Jason Richardson's bounce reverse between the legs (2003)
I don't think my description could do it any justice. Watch for yourself...
2. Vince Carter's off the floor and between the legs dunk (2000)
A classic dunk, and one that many call their favorite of all-time. When we get this low on the list, it's really a matter of personal preference as this dunk (and any of the top 4 for that matter) are truly as good as it gets. The 2000 was one of the most competitive in the history of the contest. Tracy McGrady and Steve Francis both put on classic performances, earning 99 and 95 points in the final round respectively...but Carter owned in 2000, with two "50s" in the final round. Here's the one that still has people talking.
1. Jason Richardson's off the backboard between the legs dunk (2004)
Narrowing down the last few is something I could spend all day going back and forth about, but I find myself remembering this one more than any. Richardson blew a later dunk in the final round and didn't win this contest, so this dunk may not get the recognition it would have had he won; but this dunk takes the cake in my book. Off the backboard, caught, and between the legs. Kenny Smith calls it the best he's ever seen, and I have to agree with the Jet. Watch and enjoy.
Bonus: 6 More of My Favorites (but just for showmanship):
6. Dee Brown's no look dunk (1991)
This dunk wouldn't seem like anything special today, but it was a big deal in 1991. It was one of the first major displays of creativity and showmanship, and it led many others to follow in years to come. Brown introduced his final dunk by fully pumping up his Reebok pumps, then proceeding to deliver a no look dunk with his left hand. The crowd loved it and the basketball world was abuzz after this dunk.
5. Dwight Howard's sticker dunk (2007)
Sure, he's a 7 footer, but look at how high Howard places this sticker on the backboard. 12 feet, 6 inches high. I've never seen that in my life.
4. Vince Carter's elbow dunk (2000)
In this dunk, the second most memorable of his 2000 campaign, Carter gets up so high that he hangs from the rim with his elbow. This dunk has made many best-ever lists, but I didn't include it in my top 10 because the field was crowded, and because Kobe Bryant had already done it two years earlier in a non slam dunk contest setting. Here's Vince's, along with a clip of Kobe's in 1998 below it.
3. Gerald Green's cupcake dunk (2008)
While Dwight Howard won last year's contest, mostly on the merits of his Superman dunk, I think Green's dunk was the best of the contest since Howard technically threw the ball into the hoop (which most likely wasn't intentional), and I think it was more of a happy accident. Green, on the other hand, delivered what'd seem like an ordinary dunk at first glance, but was an incredible display of showmanship and equally impressive. Green placed a cupcake above the rim and blew it out during his dunk. The replay reveals just how impressive this dunk was. To have gotten his head high enough to pull this off is a feat in and of itself. The candle clearly dies before the dunk in the replay and you can see him blowing it out. Had this dunk been delivered in the final round, he probably could've won the contest; but for some reason he chose to come out with it first. Kind of anticlimactic, but still a classic in my book.
2. Dwight Howard's Superman Dunk.
I'm sure it's still fresh in your memory (how could it not be?) so the novelty's lower than it'd be 10 or 20 years from now, but like it or not, this dunk was an NBA classic. I personally felt it was overrated, but it brought a crowd to its feet in a way that rarely happens. Clearly, the showmanship was there and Howard deserves credit where it's due.
1. Steve Nash's header to Amare Stoudemire (2005)
Just as much credit should be given to Steve Nash for the execution of this dunk, so it's not all about the dunking abilities...but it's still one of the most fun I've ever seen.
It was hard to leave out some classic names from the 80s like Nique and Dr. J, not to mention some names who shaped the 90s (Isiah Rider, Shawn Kemp, Harold Miner), but I only had room for 10. Let's hope this year's contest makes next year's list even harder for me to make!
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Thanks! I'm predicting a great contest this year. I think Rudy Fernandez and Nate Robinson could both give Howard a run for his money and win it all.
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, NJ
Thanks! I wanted to include the videos and start up a conversation so I thought it'd work better as a thread.
It definitely could be both.
People at WOULD LOVE to see a top 10 dunk list right before the contest this week.
People at WOULD LOVE to see a top 10 dunk list right before the contest this week.
Welcome Russel Okung and Earl Thomas to Seattle.
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I liked Josh Smith's free throw line dunk from a few years ago too. VERY underrated considering he did it with two hands. The problem was he put the tape in some random spot that no one understands to this day, so the dunk was overshadowed by that.
Thank you! I saw that he's the odds-on favorite to win but I have to think Nate and Rudy have a shot at taking him out. How about you?
Any idea about Rudy Fernandez's abilities? I saw a poll on NBA.com asking people who they thought would win, and over 60% said Fernandez. I'm not sure as to whether there's any basis behind this, or if Rudy just has an online cult following.
I'm aware that Fernandez is a great athlete, but I have no idea how he'd do in a dunk contest. And yes, I think Rudy just has a big online cult following. The novelty of seeing a Spanish whirling dervish in the contest is also probably very appealing to a lot of people.
Hah, yeah....I'm personally excited to see Fernandez too. It's more than just the homer in me, I think he's a smart player who's been planning things out for a while now. He seemed to have wanted in on the contest badly, I have to think he'll make it worth our while.
Iggy didn't even win with that dunk. Dumb little Nate Robinson won after attempting the same dunk ten times before hitting it. LAME
Sometimes it's all about timing. Had Iggy done that dunk in the final round and won the contest, I'm sure it'd make every top 5 list around. I tried to be as objective as I could, not taking into consideration when the dunks were done. Substance over dramatics. The last 6 were reserved for dramatics.
I thought he did do it in the final round? I don't remember Robinson's dunk over Spud was in the final round either. I remember some under the leg, off the backboard dunk for Nate's final round.
I thought Iguodala's was a 2nd round dunk. I could be completely wrong, but I was pretty sure about that. Don't dunkers get two final round dunks? So maybe the Spud dunk was the first of Nate's final two? The under the leg backboard dunk was nasty, but I think that's the one that took so many tries. Maybe you're right.
That is great stuff. I love how Barkley calls out Jordan as "The Russian Judge" on Howards sticker dunk. LOL
, NJ
Thanks! He shouldn't have won that year (Iguodala deserved it) but I still think that dunk was pretty cool. Of course it's all about opinion so I can see why you wouldn't think he belongs.
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great thread...the dunk contest is always the best part of allstar weekend--it should b interesting this yr
jason richardson is arguably the greatest dunker of all time in my mind--his dunks were absolutely sick...i dont think anyone can top his 2-3 yr run in the contest
jason richardson is arguably the greatest dunker of all time in my mind--his dunks were absolutely sick...i dont think anyone can top his 2-3 yr run in the contest
I completely agree about J-Rich. I also think Josh Smith was really underrated that one year. I would've loved to have seen return after he won it. I still think he has it in him. Iguodala going once more would've been nice too.
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Iguadala got totally robbed--evry1 wanted Nate to win it so they rigged that contest...yea i would lov to see him back, as well as Josh Smith--he had some nice dunks the yr he won, and he mos def still has it in him
but yea i think JRich is really in a class on his own
but yea i think JRich is really in a class on his own
Thanks for the nice words (and to everyone else)! You've inspired me to make another thread like this.
, ID
So this thread actually got mentioned in a Yahoo publication, if I am reading the awards news correctly? That is awesome does anyone have a link to the yahoo article it was in?
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