With NBA All-Star weekend around the corner and the dunk contest participants announced, I thought I would visit one of my favorite All-Star weekend events: the Dunk Contest. It was not that long ago when the NBA dunk contest was looked forward to as much or more than the All-Star game itself.
Rather than express issues with the current dunk contest (the format, the lack of interest, the number and appeal of participants, the scoring - take your pick), I will stay positive and focus on the athletes who made the dunk and the NBA dunk contest a show to remember.
I look at dunking in three ways: 1) Dunking in the NBA Dunk Contest, 2) Dunking uncontested or on a break-away, and 3) Dunking in traffic / on another player.
The NBA has had a collection of fabulous athletes and dunkers, so choosing a top-5 list is no easy task. Once you narrow the list down, it’s excruciatingly difficult to rank the top dunkers. The following is my top-5 list:
1) Dominique Wilkins - The ‘Human Highlight Film’ was the ultimate dunker. The rims are sill shaking from his power dunks. He won two dunk contest titles (and should have won a third but was robbed in 1988 in Chicago when Jordan won with some home cooking) and was a great break-away dunker but he made his name as dunker in traffic. Dominique has a highlight reel full of victims of his thunderous dunks. He has a reputation as a dunker but don’t sleep on ‘Nique' the player, he’s the 8th leading scorer in NBA history.
2) Michael Jordan - Put the ‘Air’ into dunking. You could easily have ranked Jordan as the top dog. He has the complete package: dunk on the run, dunk in traffic, dunk over three players - not to mention that he’s the best player in basketball history.
3) Julius Erving - The father of the modern dunking era. He was the first to dunk from the foul line. He was dunking in the ABA in 70’s and continued through the 80’s in the NBA…and what about putting that memorable one on Michael Cooper in the NBA Finals.
4) Vince Carter - Vin-Sanity has the size, athletic ability and strength combination that many envy. He can do it all and does it in traffic as well as on the break. What a performance in the 2000 Dunk Contest. Is his elbow still in the rim? Unlike the rest of the guys on this list, Vince still has a chance to move up the rankings.
5) Larry Nance - The consummate big man dunker. He won the NBA’s first dunk contest in 1984 and opened people’s eyes to big men throwing it down. Nance had a great combination of finesse and power, especially at 6’10”. Folks in Phoenix and Cleveland still remember Larry sending it in with grace and strength.
Rather than express issues with the current dunk contest (the format, the lack of interest, the number and appeal of participants, the scoring - take your pick), I will stay positive and focus on the athletes who made the dunk and the NBA dunk contest a show to remember.
I look at dunking in three ways: 1) Dunking in the NBA Dunk Contest, 2) Dunking uncontested or on a break-away, and 3) Dunking in traffic / on another player.
The NBA has had a collection of fabulous athletes and dunkers, so choosing a top-5 list is no easy task. Once you narrow the list down, it’s excruciatingly difficult to rank the top dunkers. The following is my top-5 list:
1) Dominique Wilkins - The ‘Human Highlight Film’ was the ultimate dunker. The rims are sill shaking from his power dunks. He won two dunk contest titles (and should have won a third but was robbed in 1988 in Chicago when Jordan won with some home cooking) and was a great break-away dunker but he made his name as dunker in traffic. Dominique has a highlight reel full of victims of his thunderous dunks. He has a reputation as a dunker but don’t sleep on ‘Nique' the player, he’s the 8th leading scorer in NBA history.
2) Michael Jordan - Put the ‘Air’ into dunking. You could easily have ranked Jordan as the top dog. He has the complete package: dunk on the run, dunk in traffic, dunk over three players - not to mention that he’s the best player in basketball history.
3) Julius Erving - The father of the modern dunking era. He was the first to dunk from the foul line. He was dunking in the ABA in 70’s and continued through the 80’s in the NBA…and what about putting that memorable one on Michael Cooper in the NBA Finals.
4) Vince Carter - Vin-Sanity has the size, athletic ability and strength combination that many envy. He can do it all and does it in traffic as well as on the break. What a performance in the 2000 Dunk Contest. Is his elbow still in the rim? Unlike the rest of the guys on this list, Vince still has a chance to move up the rankings.
5) Larry Nance - The consummate big man dunker. He won the NBA’s first dunk contest in 1984 and opened people’s eyes to big men throwing it down. Nance had a great combination of finesse and power, especially at 6’10”. Folks in Phoenix and Cleveland still remember Larry sending it in with grace and strength.
5 comments:
Larry Nance - YES - brings back good memories
VC is the best of all time
I don't think that it is right to have the top 5, yet have 3 different categories of dunks. But if we just want some brute throwdown, scare your pants off dunks, somewhere on this list, "Chocolate Thunder" should reside. Remember, he broke at least 2 backboards!! That said, let's hear your take on your top 5 favorite dunks of all time. I have mine, but I'll wait to see what you have. -E
The guys you listed are nice but what about Shawn Kemp aka Rain Man. Don't sleep on David Thompson either.
No love for Terrence Stansbury?
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