Basketball: NBA dunk contest's best ever (+ video)

Vince Carter performing his iconic bounce between the legs dunk at 2000 NBA All-Star Weekend in...
Vince Carter performing his iconic bounce between the legs dunk at 2000 NBA All-Star Weekend in Oakland. Photo: Getty Images

Every year the NBA Slam Dunk Contest generates interest among both hardcore and casual basketball fans. The contest is a show of athleticism from some of the very best in the game and over the years has served up plenty of excitement. With this year's edition set to take place in Toronto this afternoon, ODT Online sports writer Jeff Cheshire looks back at some of the best to participate in the contest.

Vince Carter

Arguably the most famous Slam Dunk Contest performance in history, Vince Carter had the arena in the palm of his hand during the 2000 competition. Carter's performance was revolutionary, as the then-Toronto Raptor put on a near-perfect display in the contest's comeback year. His bounce between the legs remains one of the most iconic dunks in contest history, while his 360 windmill and honey dip were scarcely believable. Carter was not limited to contests though, having a career full of in-game highlights, including jumping over 7'2" Frenchman Frederic Weis at the 2000 Olympics. His ability led him to receive the nickname 'Half-man half-amazing' early in his career, although 'Vinsanity' has since stuck with him. Carter, now in the twilight of his career, currently plays for the Memphis Grizzlies and still shows the occasional glimpse of Vinsanity.

Dominique Wilkins

They called Dominique Wilkins the 'Human Highlight Film'. A pure athlete with a powerful slam dunk, Wilkins is regarded as one of the best in-game dunkers in history. But he was pretty good in the contest too, claiming titles in 1985 and 1990 and second-place in 1986 and 1988. That is impressive, considering he did it in an era where many of the best players would compete, going up against the likes of Michael Jordan and Julius Erving. His duel with Jordan in 1988 is now legendary, as the contest went down to the last dunk, with Jordan needing 49 or better to win. Wilkins could get up with ease, often throwing down powerful dunks with little run up or preparation. His dunks often revolved around windmills or double-clutches with a powerful finish.

Dwight Howard

The slam dunks Dwight Howard threw down in 2008 were among the best ever. Big and athletic does not always look good in this situation, but Howard made it work. His now signature 'Superman' dunk, which he donned a Superman outfit for, saw him jump off two feet from just inside the free-throw line and catch a lob thrown from behind the hoop. But that was perhaps not even his best, as he wowed the crowd by throwing a bounce-lob, jumping, slapping it off the backboard again, then flushing it through the hoop. He went on to win in a canter, beating one of the generation's best jumpers in Gerald Green in the process. A year later he was at it again and the excitement as to what he might be capable of was through the roof. In an upset, he was narrowly beaten by Nate Robinson, who donned a Kryptonite costume and jumped over Howard to win the fan vote. Howard also entered the contest in 2007, although failed to reach the finals, despite many believing he should have. Howard now plays for the Houston Rockets.

 

Michael Jordan

Widely considered basketball's greatest ever player, Michael Jordan was a two-time Slam Dunk Contest champion. Winning back-to-back titles in 1987 and 1988, Jordan's dunking was smooth and graceful. Seemingly able to hang in the air for as long as he needed to, Jordan would glide to the hoop, often performing some form of double clutch. In 1987 he channeled Julius Erving when he dunked from the foul-line, now his signature pose, before performing the dunk twice more the following year to win. His duel with Wilkins in 1988 is now legendary, in which Jordan beat out Wilkins in front of his home Chicago crowd, after having lost to him in the 1985 contest. Jordan's exploits throughout the 1990s, which saw him win six championships may be what cemented his place as arguably the game's greatest player, but his athletic ability was there for all to see early in his career.

 



 

Zach LaVine

The defending champion Zach LaVine will be in action again today after putting on an exceptional display a year ago. Long known for his exceptional athletic ability, LaVine performed a series of 'between the legs' and 'behind the back' dunks from lobs. Perhaps most impressive was his first, where he bounced-lobbed to himself, went between the legs, then finished with a one-hand reverse. The repertoire showed the way the contest has progressed and dunks have become more imaginative. To keep coming up with new ideas, players have created variations of dunks that had been done. Nowadays we are seeing variations on those variations. On top of that, players will push the limits more, having seen what can be done. Vince Carter's performance in 2000 was revolutionary, but his 'bounce between the legs' dunk has been added to, with LaVine being the latest to do so. This section cannot yet be finished though, as if last was anything to go by, LaVine has potential to serve up plenty more excitement in this competition.

Harold Miner

Harold Miner's NBA career only lasted four years, but that was enough time to capture two Slam Dunk Contest titles. Having drawn comparisons as a youngster to Michael Jordan for his athletic ability, Miner was an exceptional jumper. His routines generally consisted of reverse double-clutches, windmills, backboard lobs and 360s, often with his head near the height of the rim. After winning the contest in 1993 as a rookie, he returned in 1995 and reclaimed his crown, beating out 1994 champion Isaiah Rider. A year later Miner was waived and after a failed try-out the following year, he retired from basketball, later remarking knee injuries had contributed to his decision.

Spud Webb

Spud Webb broke the stereotype that short men couldn't slam dunk. At 5'7", or 170cm, Webb created a big upset when he dethroned team mate Dominique Wilkins to win the 1986 title. When Webb dunked, the hoop looked high. The spring in his legs was unbelievable as he not only got up, but spun, caught lobs and moved the ball in the air too. After winning in 1986, he struggled to recapture his brilliance in 1988, finishing last, although managed a third-place, in a field of eight, a year later. Webb paved the way for other shorter players to enter the contest and had a hand in Nate Robinson's first title in 2006. 



Gerald Green

One of the best jumpers of his generation, Gerald Green could get high. His jumping ability opened up a realm of possiblities and consequently, Green delivered some of the most impressive dunks the contest has seen over the past decade.  The 2007 champion could do it all and was not afraid to attempt highly difficult dunks in competition. As a result he failed to reach the final of the 2013 competition, although wowed the crowd with a brilliant first dunk. The record books do not do justice to ability of Green though, he is one you have to watch to appreciate his ability.

 

Nate Robinson

The only three-time champion, Nate Robinson was the second-coming of Spud Webb when he first won in 2006. He jumped over Webb that night, before taking 14 attempts to make his final dunk, controversially beating out Andre Iguodala. Three years later the 5'9" guard was back and performed his most memorable dunk, jumping over 6'11" Dwight Howard to win the fan vote. By 2010 the height factor had worn off. This time he won by virtue of his dunks being as good as anyone's, regardless of height.  

 


Jason Richardson

Jason Richardson's name might not come up as often as the likes of Vince Carter, Julius Erving and Dominique Wilkins in terms of great dunkers, but his winning performances in 2002 and 2003 rate right up there. An athlete who was innovative and could dunk with power, Richardson was another who pushed the limits of what could be done. If Carter's 2000 performance was revolutionary, Richardson was the one that showed it was not the ceiling. He could go between the legs, windmill, 360 and double-clutch, but was able to do it all after throwing tosses to himself. After finishing second in the 2004 contest, he carved out a handy NBA career which he is now in the 15th season of. 

 

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