The Most NBA Dunks of All Time

A list of the most memorable NBA dunks of all time. These are the top 10 slams that will get your attention.

The most iconic NBA Dunks of all time

From Michael Jordan to Kobe Bryant to Lebron James some of the most iconic dunks in NBA history have come from the league’s greatest players But which dunk is the best of all time? We’ve compiled a list of the most memorable, impressive and downright jaw-dropping dunks in NBA history from ferocious one-handed put-backs to ferocious tomahawk jams.

The most impressive NBA dunks of all time

There are few things more impressive in the NBA than a rim-rattling dunk. It’s a show of power, athleticism, and often, style.

While dunks are commonplace in today’s game, there was a time not too long ago when they were relatively rare. In the 1970s and early 1980s, players like Julius Erving David Thompson, and Darryl Dawkins popularized the slam dunk and helped bring it into the mainstream.

Today, we take dunks for granted, but there are still some that stand out above the rest. Here are ten of the most impressive NBA dunks of all time.

The most acrobatic NBA dunks of all time

The Slam Dunk Contest is one of the most popular events during NBA All-Star Weekend, and it features some of the most acrobatic dunks you’ll ever see. But which dunks are the best?

We’ve compiled a list of the most impressive NBA Slam Dunks of all time. From Blake Griffin’s now-famous “Kia” dunk to Vince Carter’s unbelievable between-the-legs slam, these are the dunks that will have you saying “wow”!

The most powerful NBA dunks of all time

The most powerful NBA dunks of all time are often the ones that make the most noise. The best dunks are the ones where the player seems to defy gravity, and the amount of power they pack can make the rim shake.

These are the dunks that have made a lasting impression on basketball fans and many of them have become synonymous with the players who threw them down. From Michael Jordan’s famous free-throw line dunk to LeBron James’ tomahawk slam, these are the most powerful dunks in NBA history

The most technical NBA dunks of all time

While there are many flashy and acrobatic dunks in the NBA, there are some that rise above the rest for their technical perfection. Here are some of the most technically perfect dunks in NBA history

-Michael Jordan’s Free Throw Line dunk: Often considered the greatest dunk of all time, Jordan’s free throw line dunk was a thing of beauty. He took off from just inside the free throw line and soared through the air, hammering home a powerful dunk.

-Shawn Kemp’s baseline reverse: Shawn Kemp was one of the most explosive players in NBA history and this dunk is a perfect example of his athleticism. He took off from just inside the baseline, threw down a reverse jam with one hand, and brought the house down.

-Vince Carter’s 360 windmill: Vince Carter’s 2000 Slam Dunk Contest performance was one for the ages, and this 360 windmill was the cherry on top. He took off from just inside the free throw line, did a 360 spin in midair, and threw down a vicious windmill slam.

– Kobe Bryant’s between-the-legs dunk: This dunk by Kobe Bryant was so tough that it barely counts as a dunk at all. He took off from just inside the Foul Line threw the ball between his legs in midair, and then flushed it home with authority.

The most artistic NBA dunks of all time

While there have been many great dunks in NBA history some have been more artful than others. Here are our picks for the most artistic dunks of all time:

1. Michael Jordan’s free throw line dunk: This iconic dunk was performed by Jordan during the 1988 NBA Slam Dunk Contest and is widely considered one of the most impressive dunks of all time.

2. Kobe Bryant’s between-the-legs dunk: This filthiest of all dunks was performed by Kobe during a game against the New Orleans Hornets in 2003.

3. LeBron James’ self alley-oop dunk: During a game against the Portland Trail Blazers in 2004, LeBron caught a pass from teammate Donyell Marshall and proceeded to throw down a monstrous self alley-oop dunk.

4. Vince Carter’s 360° windmill dunk: Another product of the 1998 Slam Dunk Contest this dunk by Vince Carter has often been cited as one of the best ever.

5. Dominique Wilkins’ reverse 360° dunk: Another classic from the 1988 Slam Dunk Contest this beauty by Dominique Wilkins was unfortunately topped by Jordan’s free throw line dunk later in the competition.

The most unusual NBA dunks of all time

When it comes to dunking, the NBA has seen it all. From the classic one-handed slams to the gravity-defying alley-oops, there are seemingly limitless ways to finish a basketball play at the rim.

But every once in a while, a player comes along and does something so unique and so jaw-dropping that it seems to defy everything we thought we knew about dunking. These are the most unusual NBA dunks of all time.

1. Michael Jordan’s free throw Line Dunk

This is arguably the most iconic dunk of all time. In the 1988 NBA Slam Dunk Contest Michael Jordan took off from just inside the free throw line and soared through the air, completing a perfect slam that won him the contest and has been copied countless times since.

2. Dwight Howard’s Superman Slam

In the 2008 NBA Slam Dunk Contest Dwight Howard took his nickname of “Superman” to literal heights with this incredible stunt. After donning a Superman cape, Howard jumped over a ball boy who was lying down on the court, and then proceeded to slam home a monstrous one-handed dunk.

3. Blake Griffin’s KIA Slam Dunk Contest Win

In 2011, Blake Griffin made history by becoming the first rookie ever to win the NBA Slam Dunk Contest But his victory was hardly due to lack of competition — in fact, it was one of the most competitive dunk contests in recent memory. Griffin put forth an impressive array of slams, including this one where he threw down a lob pass from fellow Clippers teammate Baron Davis while simultaneously putting his elbow through the rim.

The most controversial NBA dunks of all time

There are a lot of great dunks in NBA history but there are also some that are controversial. Here are some of the most controversial dunks of all time.

1. Michael Jordan’s “push off” dunk against Craig Ehlo in the 1989 playoffs

This dunk is considered by many to be one of the most controversial of all time. Jordan was clearly seen pushing off Ehlo before he took off for the dunk, but no foul was called and the basket counted. This led to an infamous playoff moment where Ehlo laid on the ground in disbelief.

2. Kobe Bryant’s “illegal” dunk against the Charlotte Hornets in 2002

In this Dunk, Kobe Bryant appeared to take off from inside the Free Throw line for a vicious one-handed slam. However, upon further review, it was ruled that he had indeed taken off from outside the line and thus the basket did not count. This was a huge disappointment for Kobe and the Lakers who went on to lose the game in overtime.

3. Shaquille O’Neal’s “ hack-a-Shaq” against Brad Miller in 2003

In this play, Shaq was being intentionally fouled by Brad Miller in order to prevent him from scoring. However, instead of going to the free throw line Shaq decided to just grab the ball and slam it through the hoop. This resulted in a lot of controversy as many people thought it was unfair that Shaq was able to score despite being fouled.

The most dangerous NBA dunks of all time

As the most exciting part of any basketball game a dunk is always sure to get the crowd on their feet. But sometimes, dunks can also be incredibly dangerous. Here are some of the most dangerous NBA dunks of all time:

1. Kobe Bryant – Lakers vs. Suns, 2000
In this now infamous dunk, Kobe Bryant attempted to drive hard to the basket and went up for a tomahawk dunk. However, his legs got tangled up with those of Phoenix Suns player Stephen Jackson resulting in a horrific fall that saw Bryant land on his head and neck. Thankfully, he was able to walk off the court under his own power and didn’t suffer any serious injuries.

2. Tracy McGrady – Rockets vs. Spurs, 2004
In this scary moment, Tracy McGrady went up for a one-handed Slam Dunk but ended up losing control of the ball. As he came down hard on the backboard, his right arm snapped and he crumpled to the ground in pain. He would later undergo surgery to repair the damage and thankfully made a full recovery.

3. Dwyane Wade – Heat vs. Spurs, 2006
Dwyane Wade is no stranger to fancy dunks, but this one from a 2006 game against the Spurs could have easily gone wrong. Going up for a one-handed alley-oop slam, Wade lost control of the ball and ended up hanging dangerously from the rim. He was able to pull himself back up and finish the dunk, but it was definitely a close call.

4. Gerald Green – Slam Dunk Contest 2007
In one of the most jaw-dropping moments in Slam dunk contest history, Gerald Green put together an impressive display of athleticism that almost went horribly wrong. After jumping over a spinning Desiree Gruber in order to grab the ball mid-air, Green went up for a powerful two-handed slam… but lost control on his way down and nearly crashed headfirst into the floor. Fortunately, he was able to regain his balance and avoid injury, but it was definitely a close call.

The most memorable NBA dunks of all time

From Lebron James to Michael Jordan some of the most impressive athletes in the world have made a name for themselves with their incredible dunks. While dunking is now considered an essential part of the game, it wasn’t always so prevalent. In fact, some of the earliest recorded dunks date back to the 1940s.

Here are some of the most memorable NBA dunks of all time:

1. Lebron James – 2013 NBA All-Star Game
2. Michael Jordan – 1998 NBA Finals
3. Kobe Bryant – 2000 NBA Slam Dunk Contest
4. Vince Carter – 2000 Olympics
5. Dwight Howard – 2008 Slam Dunk Contest