NBA

NBA All-Star Weekend: Ranking the 5 Greatest Dunk Contest Moments of All Time

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Michael Jordan won two NBA Slam Dunk Contests during his career.

The NBA Slam Dunk Contest has lost most of its juice in recent years, as superstars around the league aren’t interested in risking injury to compete in the event anymore. Seeing as we might never see another Michael Jordan or Vince Carter in the Dunk Contest ever again, let’s have some fun and go back to rank the five most memorable performances in the event’s history.

5. Blake Griffin dunks over a car in 2011

Blake Griffin has always had a flair for the dramatic. During his prime years, he wasn’t just interested in showing off his majestic hops. He had to wow the crowd with showmanship or props in the 2011 Slam Dunk Contest.

For his finale, Griffin pulled out a full-sized Kia and jumped over the hood to seal his victory over JaVale McGee.

4. Spud Webb makes history in 1986

Most 5-foot-7 human beings wouldn’t even be able to touch the net on a regulation basketball hoop, but high-flying Spud Webb might not be human. In 1986, the bite-sized star out-dueled 6-foot-8 Dominique Wilkins to defy the odds and win his first and only Slam Dunk Contest. He was the first player under six feet to win the event.

It’s still incredible to watch him soar through the air with ease nearly 40 years later.

3. The epic 2016 duel between Aaron Gordon and Zach LaVine

Aaron Gordon and Zach LaVine weren’t exactly big names back in 2016, but after their marvelous duel in the Slam Dunk Contest, that changed pretty quickly.

It’s impossible to put into words how epic this battle was. It seemed as if every round one or both players were throwing down the new greatest dunk of all time, and they somehow kept getting better and better. If you’ve never seen it all the way through, do yourself a favor and take a few minutes to do so.

There will never be a Dunk Contest like this one again.

2. Vince Carter defies gravity in 2000

If you’re talking about the greatest individual performances in Slam Dunk Contest history, Vince Carter’s epic show in 2000 has to be at the top of the list. Carter looked like he had trampolines in his shoes the entire night, and he threw down some jams no one had ever seen a human accomplish before.

After throwing down his between-the-legs dunk that sent the crowd into a frenzy, Carter capped off his legendary performance with an iconic, “It’s over.” And he was right.

1. The epic 1988 dunk-off between Michael Jordan and Dominique Wilkins

If you ask any longtime NBA fan which Slam Dunk Contest comes to mind when they think about the event, there’s a good chance most of them will say the 1988 duel between Michael Jordan and Dominique Wilkins. Not only did MJ throw down his iconic free-throw-line dunk, but the two Hall of Famers went back and forth with high-flying windmills and 360s in what’s remembered today as the greatest Dunk Contest battle of all time.

Michael Jordan won two NBA Slam Dunk Contests during his career.
Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan skies for a dunk in 1987 | Focus on Sport/Getty Images

Jordan got the best of his rival in the end for his second straight Dunk Contest victory.

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RELATED: Michael Jordan’s Reveals His Favorite Slam Dunk Contest Moment

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Jack Dougherty
Sports Editor

Writing professionally since 2015, Jack Dougherty spent six years as a sportswriter with publications such as GoPSUSports.com, the Centre Daily Times, and the Associated Press before joining Sportscasting in 2020. He covers the NBA, the NFL, and the world of golf extensively and has added expertise on any team located in or around his hometown of Philadelphia. Yes, that includes the Philadelphia Eagles, the Philadelphia 76ers, and Philadelphia Phillies. When Jack isn't writing about sports, he's watching them or playing them as he regularly heads to the gym for some pickup basketball or the golf course to hit the links. He's also an avid participant in the sports betting scene who worked at a casino sportsbook for a year and learned the ins and outs of the industry before bringing his expertise to Sportscasting with one excellent gambling recommendation after another.  

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Author photo
Jack Dougherty Sports Editor

Writing professionally since 2015, Jack Dougherty spent six years as a sportswriter with publications such as GoPSUSports.com, the Centre Daily Times, and the Associated Press before joining Sportscasting in 2020. He covers the NBA, the NFL, and the world of golf extensively and has added expertise on any team located in or around his hometown of Philadelphia. Yes, that includes the Philadelphia Eagles, the Philadelphia 76ers, and Philadelphia Phillies. When Jack isn't writing about sports, he's watching them or playing them as he regularly heads to the gym for some pickup basketball or the golf course to hit the links. He's also an avid participant in the sports betting scene who worked at a casino sportsbook for a year and learned the ins and outs of the industry before bringing his expertise to Sportscasting with one excellent gambling recommendation after another.  

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