The 2015 NBA Slam Dunk Contest goes down Saturday night in New York City and it features a few of basketball’s most exciting youngsters.
Get the 411 on the 2015 NBA Slam Dunk Contest competitors
Before Zach LaVine, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Victor Oladipo and Mason Plumlee throw down, relive some of the best moments in dunk contest history.
“It’s over! It’s over ladies and gentlemen!”
Every NBA fan knows what these words are associated with. In 2000, Toronto Raptors superstar Vince Carter set the basketball world on fire with his series of dunks. Not only did this contest make Carter a household name, it helped influence an entire generation of young Canadian basketball fans.
Jordan and Wilkins go head-to-head
Michael Jordan and Dominique Wilkins are two of the best dunkers of all-time and in 1988 they put on a show for the ages. Jordan sealed the win and defended his championship with his famous one-handed jam from the free-throw line
Webb reaches ridiculous heights
Someone standing 5-foot-7 dunking a basketball on a 10-foot net is remarkable. The fact Spud Webb could trick dunk with the best of them is almost unbelievable. Webb won the 1986 dunk contest, beating teammate Dominique Wilkins in the process, with this series of gems. Look at the hops this guy had!
“Steve Nash for MVP!”
Amare Stoudemire enlisted some help from his Phoenix Suns teammate to steal the show in 2005. Nash used the soccer skills he developed growing up in Canada to head the ball to Stoudemire in an impressive display of creativity.
Dr. J lights it up in the ABA
In the first ever dunk contest, Julius “Dr. J” Erving along with David Thompson, Artis Gilmore, George Gervin and Larry Kenon made history in 1976. Thompson slammed the first recorded 360 dunk and 12 years before Jordan took off from the free-throw line, Dr. J did it. It wasn’t the best dunk contest we’ve seen, but it’s the one that began the tradition.
Jason Richardson bursts onto the scene
As a rookie in 2002, Richardson became an immediate star. The next season he took things to a whole other level with one of the best dunks ever seen.
Brown pumps his shoes up and goes no-look
The dunk contest is about showmanship and in 1991 Dee Brown exemplified that. He was an underdog heading into the contest, but his creativity led him to victory.
Green impresses a row of legends
With dunk contest greats like Jordan, Dr. J, Wilkins, Carter and Kobe sitting in as the all-star panel of judges, Gerald Green shone under pressure. His homage to Dee Brown, plus some help from Paul Pierce and defending champion Nate Robinson, resulted in him hoisting the trophy.
Ross wins another for the Raptors
Terrence Ross had a great showing in 2013 that was highlighted by a tribute to Vince Carter.