How Many Dunks Have There Been in NBA History?

We break down the top 10 NBA players with the most dunks in history. From Chamberlain to Jordan to LeBron, see who holds the record for most dunks in an NBA career.

Introduction

A dunk is a type of shot in basketball. It is considered a field goal, and is worth two points. When a player jumps up and strikes the ball with his or her hand(s) extended above the rim and Scores, it is called a dunk. A player may also dunk by grabbing the ball and hanging on to the rim before descending.

There have been dunks in basketball games since its inception in 1891. Invented by Dr. James Naismith, early players found that they could score by simply tossing the ball over the baskets’ crude 10-foot rims.

It wasn’t until 1949 that Slam Dunking was introduced into the National Basketball Association (NBA). Since then, there have been tens of thousands of dunks in regular season and playoff games. But how many total dunks have there been in NBA history?

The Early Years

While it is difficult to track the number of dunks in an NBA game prior to the 1979-1980 season, it is reasonable to believe that there were significantly fewer than there are today. In fact, one could argue that there were very few true “dunks” during this time period, as most players simply laid the ball in or did a simple two-handed jump shot. However, players like Julius Erving and Larry Bird were beginning to change the way the game was played, and their aerial abilities helped pave the way for the explosive dunking we see today.

The ABA Era

The ABA era saw an increase in dunks, as the league adopted a wider lane and the three-point shot. These changes led to a more fast-paced and exciting game, which in turn led to more dunks. In the nine years that the ABA was in existence, there were an average of 1.8 dunkers per game, compared to 1.1 dunkers per game in the NBA during that time. Among the most prolific dunkers of the ABA era were Julius Erving, Connie Hawkins, and George Gervin.

The Modern Era

From the 2006-2007 season to the present day, there have been approximately 22,000 dunks in the NBA. In that time, there have been some iconic moments, incredible athletes, and impressive feats. But which players have been the best at dunking the basketball?

To start, let’s take a look at some of the best dunkers in the modern era of the NBA. These are players who have been consistently great at dunking the basketball and whose dunks are often remembered.

Players like LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, and Blake Griffin come to mind when thinking about great contemporary dunkers. But there are also players like Andre Iguodala and Josh Smith, who may not be remembered as much for their scoring or their dunks, but who have had some incredible moments.

In recent years, there have been a number of young players who have made a name for themselves with their dunking ability. Players like Zach LaVine, Aaron Gordon, and Donovan Mitchell have all had some spectacular moments. LaVine in particular has become known for his incredible athleticism and aerial ability.

So far this season, there have been just over 1,000 dunks in the NBA. That’s on pace for about 2,400 dunks by the end of the year. That would be a significant increase from last year’s total of 1,964 dunks. And while it’s still early in the season, it’s possible that we could see even more dunks this year than ever before.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is evident that there have been a lot of dunks in the NBA throughout its history. However, it is also clear that the number of dunks has been increasing in recent years. This is likely due to the fact that players are getting taller and more athletic, as well as the fact that the rules have changed to allow for more physical play. Whatever the reason, it is clear that dunking is here to stay in the NBA.