The first dunk contest was held by the now-defunct ABA in 1976 when Dr. J battled David Thompson and three other high-flyers for $1,200 worth of prizes in Denver, Colorado.
It would be almost 10 years before the NBA picked up the act when the all-star game was held in Denver. Oddly enough, Denver is considered the birthplace of the UFC and the slam dunk contest. Must be something in the water there.
Over the years, the event has grown into something special. We have seen some great showdowns (1987, 2000 come to mind) as well as some lean years as well. The NBA didn’t hold a contest in 1998 as the event were growing stale.
With all of that in mind, here are the 10 best dunks that we’ve seen since the competition kicked off in 1976.
2004 – Jason Richardson — Off the glass through the legs
So many things going on with this Jason Richardson dunk. Getting the alley-oop right, through his legs and then throwing it down with such power. ‘Nique would have been proud.
1986 – Dominique Wilkins — Simply powerful
Speaking of Dominique Wilkins, no one, I repeat no one could throw down a windmill with the authority like him. His one-on-one showdown at the 1987 dunk contest with Michael Jordan is perhaps the greatest one-on-one showdown in dunk contest history.
1987 — Michael Jordan — The Air up there
And if you wonder who won the 1987 contest, just watch the mighty Jordan lift off here.
2000 — Vince Carter — 360 Windmill
Perhaps the most amazing thing about VC’s dunk is how easy he made it look. Really seemed to just lumber up to the basket before taking off and going 360 degrees before finishing with a flurry.
2000 — Steve Francis — Little guy flies high
Did anyone’s star fall faster than Steve Francis. From second overall pick to dunk contest finalist to all-star to China to retired in the span of 10 years.
1976 — Dr. J — The Originator
The first dunk contest was put on back in 1976. Dr. J’s takeoff from the foul line has often been duplicated but rarely imitated since. (I believe the grainy footage, sweet afro and Alan Parson Project song following the monster jam only add to the excitement.)
2005 — Amare Stoudemire — Nash uses his head
That’s using your head! Hiyoooo! Sorry it was as irresistible to say that as it is to use a Lin pun at every possible opportunity.
2009 — Nate Robinson — Superman’s kryptonite
Little Nate was kryptonite for Dwight Howard at the dunk contest. He continued a long-running tradition of little men beating the big boys when it came to judgement calls.
2006 — Andre Iguodala — From behind
This dunk makes me wish we had seen more of Iguodala in the dunk contest.
1991 — Dee Brown — Pumped up for the no-look
Dee Brown changed the game with this dunk. With the Reebok promo before he took flight and the no-look manoeuvre, the use of props slowly evolved from this jam.
By the way, I’m glad there weren’t another 10 dunks to write about as I am getting very tired of seeing the word dunk over and over again.
_____________________________________________
From: Kevin Nielsen
Sent: Friday, February 24, 2012 12:51 PM
To: Jeff Simmons
Subject:
The first dunk contest was held by the now-defunct ABA in 1976 when Dr. J battled David Thompson and three other high-flyers for $1200 worth of prizes in Denver.
It would be almost 10 years before the NBA got into the act when the all-star game was held in Denver. Oddly enough, Denver is considered the birthplace of the UFC and the slam dunk contest. Must be something in the water there.
Over the years, the event has grown into something special. We have seen some great showdowns (1987, 2000 come to mind) as well as some lea n years as well. (The NBA didn’t even hold a contest in 1998 as things were growing stale.)
With all of that in mind, here are the 10 best dunks that we have seen since the competition kicked off in 1976.
2004 – Jason Richardson — Off the glass through the legs
So many things going on with this Jason Richardson dunk. Getting the alley-oop right, through his legs and then throwing it down with such power. ‘Nique would have been proud.
1986 – Dominique Wilkins — Simply powerful
Speaking of Dominique Wilkins, no one, I repeat no one could throw down a windmill with the authority like him. His one-on-one showdown at the 1987 dunk contest with Michael Jordan is perhaps the greatest one-on-one showdown in dunk contest history.
1987 — Michael Jordan — The Air up there
And if you wonder who won the 1987 contest, just watch mighty Michael Jordan lift off here.
2000 — Vince Carter — 360 Windmill
Perhaps the most amazing thing about VC’s dunk is how easy he made it look. Really seemed to just lumber up to the basket before taking off and going 360 degrees before finsihing with a flurry.
2000 — Steve Francis — Little guy flies high
Did anyone’s star fall faster than Steve Francis. From second overall pcik to dunk contest finallist to all-star China to retired in the span of 10 years.
1976 — Dr. J — The Originator
The first dunk contest was put on by the now-defunct ABA back in 1976. Dr. J’s takeoff from the foulline has often been duplicated but rarely imitated since. (I believe the grainy footage, sweet afro and Alan Parson Project song following the monster jam only add to the excitement.)
2005 — Amare Stoudemire — Nash uses his head
That’s using you head! Hiyoooo! Sorry it was as irresistible to say that as it is to use a Lin pun at every possible opportunity.
2009 — Nate Robinson — Superman’s kryptonite
Little Nate was kryptonite for Dwight Howard at the dunk contest. He continued a long-running tradition of little men beating the big boys when it came to judgement calls.
2006 — Andre Iguodala — From behind
This dunk makes me wish we had seen more of Iguodala in the dunk contest.
1991 — Dee Brown — Pumped up for the no-look
Dee Brown changed the game with this dunk. With the Reebok promo before he took flight and the no-look manouever, the use of p[rops slowly evolved from this jam. (By the way, I am glad there weren’t another 10 dunks to write about as I am getting very tired of seeing the word dunk over and over again.)
